Ranking top 10 ‘all-time greats’ in ODI cricket history

6. Sanath Jayasuriya

Jayasuriya’s rise in international cricket has been parallel to Sri Lanka’s emergence as a cricket powerhouse. The southpaw started his career as a left-arm spinner who could chip in with crucial cameos lower down the order. However, everything changed in 1996 when Jayasuriya became an opener.

He took the world by storm with his big-hitting upfront, and many potent bowling line-ups became victim of his carnage. Jayasuriya’s attacking approach gave Sri Lanka fiery starts regularly as they won one game after another. In fact, the swashbuckler’s exploits at the top also played a crucial role in taking the Lankan Lions to the 1996 World Cup title.

Jayasuriya didn’t look back after that and piled up a mountain of runs. Not to forget, the star cricketer also contributed with his left-arm spins all this time and delivered several match-winning spells. Notably, he is the only player to feature in the top 11 of leading wicket-takers and run-scorers in ODIs.