Probably the most popular game in the world after soccer is cricket. Moreover, it enjoys a massive following as well as loyal fan-base in the world. Additionally, cricket is also considered as a religion in the Indian subcontinent. This list is entirely built on one's perspective only. Moreover, opinions may differ, so don't take it offensively. For over the years, there have been many legends and extraordinary gentlemen who have played this game. Here we bring you some of the players who had skills beyond normal human beings.
1. Sir Donald Bradman
A complex, highly driven man, Don Bradman remains the greatest cricketer to ever walk on earth. His greatness can be imagined by the fact that his batting average was 99.94 which still is an unbroken record. Furthermore, the second-highest average is 61.87. Just the difference between them, tells about the level of batting skill he possessed. The story that young Bradman practiced alone with a cricket stump and a golf ball is part of Australian folklore which inspires young cricketers.
2. M S Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, This man needs no introduction! Regarded as the most successful Indian captain, he has led his team to victory in the ODI world cup. Moreover, he has done the same in the T20 World cup, and the Champions Trophy. M S Dhoni is also considered as one of the greatest wicket-keeper batsmen to ever play the game of cricket. Additionally, he holds the record of most dismissals in an innings. Also, he holds the record for most stumping in an innings as well as most stumping in a career. Watching MS Dhoni wicket-keeping is still a delight, and watching him stumping is an awe-striking moment.
3. Shoaib Akhtar
Imagine a bowler coming all the way from the boundary, with eyes filled with fire, and coming at you at a speed of almost 100 miles! Forget about facing him, only the thought of it would bring a shiver down your spine. Such is the impact of this gentleman called Shoaib Akhtar. Additionally, may it be Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, or even Sourav Ganguly, you name it, Shoaib has given each legend a taste of his medicine. All in all, he is an amalgamation of raw pace, lethal bouncers, and nightmares; there was hardly anyone who got away with him.
4. AB De Villiers
Abraham Benjamin De Villiers, also popularly known as ABD, South African cricketer who has been given the title of Mr. 360, because of his ability to hit shots in any direction he pleases. ABD was so phenomenal that he enjoys a fan base in India as big as Indian cricketers. Moreover, watching ABD play is so joyful and exciting that Indians during a match with South Africa always used to say, "We want ABD to score a century as well as India to win."
5. Kapil Dev
With the bat, he was an aggressive middle-order batsman who can cause carnage in an era before helmet, master bats, or T20s. On the field, he has been known for his eloquent leadership and robust fielding. He was also arguably India's best fast bowler and certainly India's best all-rounder. Furthermore, we will always think of Kapil Dev when we recall India winning the 1983 World Cup. You can imagine this guy’s prowess by that he never dropped out of a match because of fitness and almost never bowling a no-ball!
6. Sachin Tendulkar
"The God Of Cricket", Sachin Tendulkar, doesn't need anyone's introduction. He is a flawless amalgamation of skill, timing, stability, positioning, style, and hostility. You can imagine his skill level by that he is the only cricketer to score 100 international centuries. Moreover, he is also considered "The second greatest batsman in test cricket" after Don Bradman and "The second best ODI batsman" after Sir Viv Richards.
7. Shane Warne
Warne holds the title of having bowled "Ball of Century" in 1993 Ashes. The year 2000 marked him becoming one of the five “Wisden Cricketers of the Century”, thanks to the panelists selecting him, and his capability. Moreover, Warne took over 1000 international wickets in Tests and ODIs combined, second only to Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan. Also, until Muralitharan surpassed the record of Warne’s 708 wickets on 3rd Dec 2007, it was highest number of wickets taken in Test match.
8. Jonty Rhodes
Jonathan Neil Rhodes, or Jonty Rhodes, was born on 27th July 1969 in South Africa and is an extraordinary fielder. A report prepared by Cricinfo in late 2005 showed that since the 1999 cricket world cup, he has the ninth highest number of run-outs in ODI cricket by any fieldsman, with the third-highest success rate. Additionally, he is also the first South African cricketer to take 100 ODI catches. Jonty also holds the record for most catches in an inning.
9. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muralitharan is a member of the ICC Hall of Fame. Additionally, he is the greatest bowler in cricket and is the only one to take 800 Test and 530+ ODI wickets. Numerous instances of him displaying his skills by knocking off the coin put on a stump with his bowling. Also, Muralitharan has the title of being the best test match bowler by Wisden's Cricketers Almanack in 2002, and also was the first Sri Lankan Cricketer to be inducted in the ICC Hall of Fame.
10. Brian Lara
Lara was born on 2nd May 1969 in Trinidad & Tobago. He is a left-handed batsman whose shots made people look at batting awe-struck. He topped the Test batting ranking many times. Also, he has the highest individual score in first-class cricket history with 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham. Lara also holds the record for the highest individual score in a Test innings after scoring 400 against England in 2004.
