5 batters who ruled the No.1 ODI ranking for many years

When Australia and England locked horns to play the first-ever ODI back in 1971, little did anyone imagine the changes this format was going to bring to popularize the sport. It brought in audaciousness, aggressive intent, innovation and most importantly, the game had become less-gentlemanly ever since.

Nevertheless, whatever has happened, it has done good to the sport in terms of improving its image globally. Batsmen’s approach in this format took some time to change, but once it did, it impacted the whole game significantly. It is really difficult for them to stay at the top with the competition being so cut-throat, yet some of them managed to stay on top for a time longer than most.

Here are 5 batsmen who ruled the No.1 ODI ranking for many years

1. Brian Lara – 1993 to 1998

The Windies legend, a batting maestro – Brian Lara was quintessentially Caribbean with his batting technique. A little unorthodox touch adding to some classy wristy strokes made him so attractive to watch, not one could blink an eye. Not many could match his aura while he was in the middle and without a shadow of a doubt, he is one of the greatest cricketers of all time.

Henceforth, it is fitting that Lara ruled the ODI rankings for a considerable amount of time. Lara claimed the ODI top rank for the first time in February 1993, right after the 5-match ODI series against Pakistan where he smashed 224 runs. He finished that year as the world's number one and continued to remain on top.

Talking about ruling the rankings, he was there on top of the rankings for the next four years till November 1998 despite facing stiff competition from the likes of Steve Waugh, Sachin Tendulkar and Graeme Hick. It took a monumental effort from the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in Sharjah in 1998 to dethrone the great man from the rankings.