All-Time Best XI of Game Changers in ODI Cricket

Best XI Game Changers in ODIs: ODI was invented in 1971 and has changed as time went on. From players grasping with the new concept to making the game their own, ODI has seen many changes in format, rules and players over its life-time. But some players have made a mark that differentiates them from the other players. Something special that makes them Game changers. Here are 11 such players who are game changers in ODI format. 1.Sachin Tendulkar (India): Sachin Tendulkar played 452 innings and scored 18426 runs with an average of 44.83 and a strike rate of 86.23. (Photo Source: AFP) The Indian little maestro changed the way innings was built in the ODI format. Sachin could hit the bowlers all around the ground, and also easily took singles and doubles to keep pace in the innings. He adapted himself to every change that took place in the ODI format and kept pace with the changing world of cricket. Sachin’s ability to keep adapting to the change, in turn changed the game in India. This was also the reason that made him the first batsman in ODI history to score 200 in an innings. He proved the saying ’change is only thing that is constant in life.’ 2.Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka): Sanath Jayasuriya was the Man of the tournament in 1996 World Cup.(Photo Source: Getty Images ) This man Sanath Jayasuriya redefined the art of opening batting in ODIs. The way he took the advantage of the 15 over’s fielding restrictions and later, turned every over into power plays; he defined batting in ODIs in a format that is followed until now. Jayasuriya just followed a blue print used by Mark Greatbatch in the 1992 World Cup and all that he did after it is recorded as 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. 3. Adam Gilchrist (Australia): Adam Gilchrist was Man of the final in 2007 World Cup.(Photo Source : AFP ) The job of wicket keeper used to be just to keep wickets and bat at no. 8 or 9 to give some support to the lower order. Australia’s Adam Gilchrist changed that perception with a jolt to the proper followers of the game.The way he attacked the bowling from the onset meant every team now looked at a wicket-keeper who could contribute more than just keeping wickets and shouting encouraging stuff from behind the stumps. Like Jayasuriya, Gilchrist could destroy any bowling attack within minutes, scoring at more than run a ball easily. Gilchrist will be remembered as a batsman who kept wickets rather than the reverse. 4. Sir Viv Richards (West Indies): The original master blaster Sir Viv Richards was one of the first batsman to dominate in the ODI format.(Photo Source: Getty Images) Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards was the first person to recognize the value of scoring quick runs in the ODI format. He was miles ahead of his time in the style he batted, attacking the bowling without wearing a helmet and hooking and pulling at will to bowlers of the caliber of Lillee, Thompson, Dilley, Imran and Kapil Dev. Known as the original master blaster he sure did blast his way into record books with his 189* against England in 1984, a record that stood until 1997. Also a brilliant fielder and captain, Richards will be remembered as the original destroyer of bowling attacks. 5. Virat Kohli (India): Virat Kohli has redefined the art of chasing in ODIs.(Photo Source: Twitter) A modern great in making, Virat Kohli has made chasing a total an art. His mastery in chasing totals on every and any kind of wicket against any attack is baffling to see. The amount of runs he has score since his debut in 2008 has made him a batsman in line with Sachin Tendulkar, Viv Richards and others. The only thing that differs is that he has done it with the aggression which was missing from the Indian batting. Virat has leadership capabilities and an attitude that matches his style of play, Kohli will go on to make many more records and will be remembered as one of the greatest ODI batsman to have ever played the game. 6. Ricky Ponting (Australia): Ricky Ponting won the World Cup twice as Captain.(Photo Source : Getty Images ) The former Australian captain structured new ways and made the art of ODI captaincy his own developed phenomenon. Ponting apart from being one of the greatest captains in ODI history with 2 World Cup titles to his name and multiple records showed the world that with a team of greats and an attitude that drips with aggression, one can make a team of unbeatable. His Australian team till today holds the unbroken record for most number of matches won on the trot and the biggest winning streak in world cup cricket to name a few. 7. MS Dhoni (India): MS Dhoni made an art of finishing games taking them to the last over and hitting it for six. (Photo Source : AFP) One of the most innovative captains and one of the greatest finishers in the game today, MS Dhoni’s inning in the second innings is all about finishing the games, taking them to the last over and hitting the winning runs with a six. His captaincy can seem to be odd at certain times, but it is effective and has won India a World Cup in 2011. His finishing methods may be debated as risky, but he wins the game 8 out of 10 times and that is more than any other batsmen could do. 8. Shane Warne (Australia): Shane Warne brought the art of leg spin back from dead.(Photo Source: Getty Images) This man brought back leg spin from the brinks of extinction in limited overs format. Shane Warne with his unbelievable control and style made leg spin popular again. Teams didn’t like any leg spinner since batsmen started taking them apart, but Shane Warne with his guile and skill showed that spinners can be successful in ODIs; a leg spinners could be a wicket taking option for their captains. His highest point was the semi-final and final of the 1999 World Cup where he picked up the Man of the match award in both matches taking 4 wickets on each occasion. 9. Wasim Akram (Pakistan): One of the greatest bowlers in the world and the best ODI fast bowler, Wasim Akram was a complete package you needed in a fast bowler. (Photo Source : PA Photos ) The most complete ODI bowler ever, Wasim Akram changed the way fast bowlers bowled at the death overs in ODI cricket. He could swing it with the new ball, bowl bouncers, bowl yorkers and could kill batsmen with reverse swing at the end of the innings. Wasim was the first bowler to take 500 wickets and 2 hat-tricks in ODIs. Akram is and will remain a legend in One Day and cricket history. 10. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) The Guinness book of world records officially recognizes Shoaib Akhtar as the bowler to bowl the fastest delivery in cricket. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Shoaib Akhtar brought adrenalin into the game with his 100 mph yorkers bowled at the toes of the batsmen. He could put fear of god in any batsmen and was used by his captains as a wicket taking option. The highest point for Akhtar was in his first World Cup in 1999 when he destroyed New Zealand in the semi-finals picking up 3 crucial wickets with seriously high pace deliveries. He brought on a pace war between himself, Brett Lee and Shane Bond, which he won on numerous occasions. A genuinely quick bowler who brought excitement in cricket with viewers waiting for him to break stumps again or break ribs of the batsmen who took it on the body. 11. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): Lasith Malinga is the only bowler to take 4 wickets in 4 balls in ODIs.(Image Source : AFP) Slinga Malinga has completely revolutionized the art of bowling and spirit of game with his smile. Only bowler to take 4 wickets in 4 balls in ODIs, 3 hat-tricks in ODIs and numerous other records. Malinga was primarily used as a wicket taking bowler. He could bowl seriously fast or snail slow, both yorkers and bouncers. Malinga also smiles even if he is hit for a four of a good ball and never engages in sledging or nay extracurricular activities on field.

All-Time Best XI of Game Changers in ODI Cricket

These 11 players have the ability to change the game anytime.

Here are 11 such players who are game changers in ODI format.

1.Sachin Tendulkar (India):