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

5. Muttiah Muralitharan

Jayasuriya’s partner-in-crime Muttiah Muralitharan also makes a cut in this illustrious list, and not many can raise their fingers. After all, the off-spinner is the highest wicket-taker in the history of the format. Muralitharan was nothing short of a nemesis for batters, and it was tough to predict where his mysterious deliveries would go.

The star bowler made the ball turn on the flattest of tracks, and his variations were the cherry on the cake. Muralitharan was certainly a captain’s delight as he wouldn’t give too many runs alongside taking wickets at regular intervals. One of the most important aspects of the spinner’s game was understanding the situation, as he seemed to have a particular plan for every circumstance.

Riding on his prowess, Sri Lanka won several crucial games and became a force to reckon with. Although there have been some questions over the legality of his action, nothing can defy that Muralitharan foxed batsmen with his sheer brilliance.