Top 10 players who have played most ODI matches

Top 10 players who have played most ODI matches: ODI format has been played since 1971 and since 1983, the format got famous in India which led to a revolution in viewer numbers and revenue. Since then the number of ODIs played per year raised through the roof. Here are the 10 players who have played the most ODI matches. 10. Rahul Dravid (Asia/ICC/India 1996-2011) Mt: 344 Runs: 10889 Best: 153 Avg: 39.16 100s: 12 Rahul Dravid played 344 ODIs. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Rahul Dravid made his ODI debut in 1996. He became an integral part of Indian ODI team in 1999 when he top scored for India in the 1999 World cup and became indispensible part of the team. Being typecast as a Test player and not getting chances because he didn’t have any big hitting abilities. But he persisted and eventually became the best number 3 batsman in ODI India had. He even kept wickets in 2002-2004, so that India could play an extra bowler or batsman. During the end of his career when he was being slowly moved away from the ODI setup, he was kept out of team, but was called in for the England ODI series, which turned out to be his last series as he had announced his retirement beforehand. 9. Muttiah Muralitharan (Asia/ICC/SL 1993-2011 ) Mt: 350 Wkts: 534 BB: 7/30 Magical off spinner Muralitharan played for Sri Lanka as the lone strike bowler in both the formats for almost 20 years. (Photo Source : Associated Press) Magical off spinner Muralitharan played for Sri Lanka as the lone strike bowler in both the formats for almost 20 years. Bowling over after over in Tests and ODIs, he picked up 800 test wickets and 534 ODI wickets, world record in both formats. He was also part of the 1996 World cup Sri Lankan team and announced his retirement after the 2011 World cup tournament. 8. Wasim Akram (Pak 1984-2003 ) Mt: 356 Wkts: 502 BB: 5/15 Wasim Akram played 356 matches for Pakistan. (Photo Source : PA Photos ) One of the best fast bowlers to grace the game of cricket, Wasim Akram played 356 ODI games from 1984-2003. He was the first bowler to pick up 500 ODI wickets and retired with 502 wickets to his name and 2 hat-tricks to boot for. A wonderful slingy arm action gave him maximum result without much effort and his mastery over every kind of swing available made him dangerous in death overs. 7. Ricky Ponting (Aus/ICC 1995-2012) Mt: 375 Runs: 13704 Hs: 164 Avg: 42.03 100s:30 Ricky Ponting played 375 ODIs. (Photo Source : Getty Images ) 2 time World cup winning captain Ricky Ponting played 375 matches and made 13704 runs. He has the second most hundreds (30) to his name and is considered one the greats of the game. An exciting and attacking batsman, he led one of the best cricket teams from 2002 till his retirement in 2012. 6. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Asia/Pak 1991-2007 ) Mt: 378 Runs: 11739 Hs: 137* Avg: 39.52 100s: 10 Inzamam has taken 16 catches for Pakistan in World cup.(Photo Source: Getty Images ) The gentle giant of cricket, Inzamam played 378 matches from 1991-2007 and won the World cup in 1992. Easily one of the most effortless looking batsmen in cricket, he was known for his extremely cool head in the game of cricket. Fondly known as Inzi, he made 11739 runs with an average of 39.52. Inzamam retired after Pakistan were knocked out of the 2007 World cup in West Indies in group stages. 5. Shahid Afridi (Asia/ICC/Pak 1996-2015) Mt: 397 Runs: 8041 HS: 124 100s: 6 Wkts: 395 BB: 7/12 Shahid Afridi hit leg spinner Malinda Bandara for 32 runs in an over when Pakistan were chasing 236 runs to win and were 137/5 at one time. (Photo Source : AFP) Perhaps the most exciting batsman and the best legspinner in current times, Shahid Afridi took one day audience by storm when he scored the than fastest hundred in his first innings in ODI batting. He scored 100 off 37 balls with 11 sixes. He transformed himself as one of the best all-rounders in the game with almost 8000 runs and 393 wickets to his name. He also has 447 sixes in international cricket. Recent times has made Afridi more of a bowler than batsman, but he occasionally shows his brilliance with bat once in a while. 4. Kumar Sangakkara (Asia/ICC/SL 2000-2015) Mt: 403 Runs: 14189 Hs: 169 Avg: 41.97 100s:25 Kumar Sangakkara has played 400 ODIs for Sri Lanka. (Photo Source: ICC) Sri Lankan keeper and former captain Kumar Sangakkara played his 400th match today and became the 4th player to do so.He celebrated the event by making a century off 76 balls and remaining not out. Sangakkara took over from Romesh Kaluwitharana in 2000 and has been the best keeper and best batsman of the side along with Mahela Jayawardene. He has been one the pillars on which Sri Lanka has built an empire. But he has announced his retirement from the ODI format after the 2015 World cup. 2. Sanath Jayasuriya (Asia/SL 1989-2011) Mt: 445 Runs: 13430 Hs: 189 Avg: 32.36 100s: 28 Sanath Jayasuriya retired in 2012 after playing 445 ODIs. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Demolishing is perhaps the best word someone can use to describe Sanath Jayasuriya. Dashing, destructive and borderline cruel on any short bowling, Jayasuriya has or had most of the fastest records in the world. He had the fastest 100 in ODI off 48 balls before Afridi broke it and he also had record for 11 sixes. Sanath Jayasuriya played till 2011 till the age of 42. Jayasuriya made 13430 runs in 445 matches, with 28 hundreds with a highest score of 189 runs. 3. Mahela Jayawardene (Asia/SL 1998-2015) Mt: 447 Runs: 12646 Hs: 144 Avg: 33.45 100s: 19 Mahela Jayawardene has played the 3rd most ODIs in world.(Photo Source: BCCI) Kumar Sangakkara’s partner in crime, Mahela Jayawardene has been part of Sri Lankan set up since his debut in 1998. Jayawardene just played his 444th match and has made 19 centuries. His 12625 runs are in the top 3 of the most runs categories. One the most important batsmen in Sri Lankan set up currently and has been since long time. Jayawardene has also announced his retirement from international cricket after the 2015 World cup. 1. Sachin Tendulkar (India 1989-2012) Mt: 463 Runs: 18426 Hs: 200* Avg: 44.83 100s: 49 Sachin Tendulkar played 463 matches form 1989- 2012. (Photo Source: Associated Press) Sachin Tendulkar played the most ODIs, playing 463 matches in a career spanning 24 years. He has the records for most hundreds (49), most 50s: 96, most runs (18426). He also scored the first double hundred against South Africa in 2010. Many consider him to the best batsman of modern era of cricket and the best batsman to play ODI cricket ever. He finally fulfilled his dream of winning a World cup in 2011 on his home ground of Mumbai. Sachin’s retirement has caused a vacuum in international cricket which may never be filled. *All stats updated till 16th March 2015.

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