All-Time Best XI of Game Changers in ODI Cricket

2.Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)

Another Asian batter who revolutionised the setting of the tempo of an innings upfront was none other than Sri Lanka’s legendary left-handed batter, Sanath Jayasuriya. The southpaw redefined the art of batting as an opener in the ODIs. He displayed his charismatic six-hitting abilities over the point and the square region with sheer ease. This helped him to take maximum advantage of the first 15-over restriction back in the day, which essentially meant that he brought in the concept of the powerplays years before it was adopted in the ODI format.

Jayasuriya just followed a blueprint used by Mark Greatbatch in the 1992 World Cup and the rest is history. Gone were the times when 200 was a safe target, Jayasuriya made 300 look like a minuscule target when it came to chasing or setting a target. His achievements in the 1996 World Cup and after that meant that Sanath Jayasuriya will forever be remembered as one of the best batsmen in the World of cricket.