Top 10 Greatest Cricketers of All Time – The Ultimate Guide to Cricket Legends

Who is the greatest cricketer of all time?

The title belongs to Sir Donald Bradman of Australia. Playing between 1928 and 1948, Bradman achieved a Test batting average of 99.94 — the highest in cricket history and arguably the most remarkable statistic in any sport. His dominance at the crease has never been matched, making him the greatest cricketer ever.

However, cricket greatness comes in many forms — from all-round mastery like Sir Garfield Sobers, to record-breaking batsmanship like Sachin Tendulkar, and game-changing leadership like Imran Khan.

This guide lists the Top 10 Greatest Cricketers of All Time, covering their career highlights, iconic moments, and why they are remembered as the best in cricket history.

Top 10 Greatest Cricketers of All Time

Rank	Player	Country	Notable Achievements
1	Sir Donald Bradman	Australia	Highest batting avg (99.94), 29 Test centuries
2	Sachin Tendulkar	India	Most international runs (34,357), 100 centuries
3	Sir Garfield Sobers	West Indies	8,032 Test runs, 235 wickets, 6 sixes in an over
4	Imran Khan	Pakistan	1992 World Cup-winning captain, 362 Test wickets
5	Kapil Dev	India	1983 World Cup-winning captain, 5,248 Test runs, 434 wickets
6	Viv Richards	West Indies	8,540 Test runs, 2× World Cup winner
7	Shane Warne	Australia	708 Test wickets, “Ball of the Century”
8	Muttiah Muralitharan	Sri Lanka	Most Test wickets (800), 534 ODI wickets
9	Malcolm Marshall	West Indies	376 Test wickets at 20.94 avg
10	Jack Hobbs	England	61,760 first-class runs, 199 centuries

Detailed Profiles of the Top 10 Greatest Cricketers

1. Sir Donald Bradman – The Greatest of All Time

• Country: Australia
• Era: 1928–1948
• Records:
  • Highest Test batting average: 99.94
  • 6,996 Test runs in 52 matches
  • 29 centuries, including 13 double centuries
• Legacy: Knighted in 1949, Bradman remains the ultimate benchmark for batting excellence.

2. Sachin Tendulkar – The God of Cricket

• Country: India
• Era: 1989–2013
• Records:
  • 34,357 international runs (Tests + ODIs)
  • 100 international centuries
  • First ODI double century (200*)
• Legacy: Bharat Ratna awardee, inspired millions and elevated cricket’s global profile.

3. Sir Garfield Sobers – Greatest All-Rounder

• Country: West Indies
• Era: 1954–1974
• Records:
  • 8,032 Test runs at 57.78 average
  • 235 Test wickets
  • First player to hit six 6s in an over
• Legacy: Redefined the all-rounder’s role in cricket.

4. Imran Khan – Captain Courage

• Country: Pakistan
• Era: 1971–1992
• Records:
  • 3,807 Test runs, 362 Test wickets
  • 1992 Cricket World Cup-winning captain
• Legacy: A role model for leadership and resilience.

5. Kapil Dev – India’s Game-Changer

• Country: India
• Era: 1978–1994
• Records:
  • 5,248 Test runs, 434 Test wickets
  • Led India to 1983 World Cup win
• Legacy: Inspired generations of Indian cricketers.

6. Viv Richards – The Master Blaster

• Country: West Indies
• Era: 1974–1991
• Records:
  • 8,540 Test runs at 50.23 average
  • 2× World Cup champion (1975, 1979)
• Legacy: Dominated without a helmet; symbol of fearless batting.

7. Shane Warne – Spin Wizard

• Country: Australia
• Era: 1992–2007
• Records:
  • 708 Test wickets (2nd highest)
  • “Ball of the Century” in 1993
• Legacy: Revived leg-spin and inspired countless bowlers.

8. Muttiah Muralitharan – The Spin King

• Country: Sri Lanka
• Era: 1992–2010
• Records:
  • Most Test wickets (800)
  • 534 ODI wickets
• Legacy: Central to Sri Lanka’s cricketing rise.

9. Malcolm Marshall – Pace Perfection

• Country: West Indies
• Era: 1978–1991
• Records:
  • 376 Test wickets at 20.94 average
  • Best bowling: 7/22
• Legacy: Mentor to Ambrose and Walsh; set bowling standards.

10. Jack Hobbs – The Master

• Country: England
• Era: 1908–1930
• Records:
  • Most first-class runs (61,760)
  • Most first-class centuries (199)
• Legacy: Knighted in 1953; benchmark for opening batsmen.

Final Takeaways

• Greatest Player Ever: Sir Donald Bradman
• Best Modern Player: Sachin Tendulkar
• Greatest All-Rounder: Sir Garfield Sobers
• Most Famous Cricketer in History: Sachin Tendulkar & Sir Donald Bradman
• Current Best Player: Virat Kohli

These cricket legends combined skill, consistency, leadership, and charisma to shape the sport. They remain icons of cricket excellence and will continue to inspire future generations.