As we all know, Cricket is a game between bat and ball in which both batsman and bowlers try to be one step ahead. In this game, we have seen many greats who have redefined the Cricket. However, some cricketers can be miles ahead of other players because of their unique traits and strengths. So, here’s a list of ten cricketers who succeeded in international Cricket in which their biggest strength played a huge role.
1. MS Dhoni
Despite his excellent finishing skills and captaincy tactics, MS Dhoni’s most significant strength is his “Calmness”. His ability to be calm in every situation helped him to win big tournaments like the World Cup and the Champions trophy. There were many matches where he remained calm and snatched the win from opponents. There are many instances, but a recent one came in the IPL 2023 when his team (Chennai Super Kings) won the thriller finals, and he was in a state of calmness and peace. This strength of MS Dhoni differentiates him from others and makes him one of the greatest captains of the world.
2. Steve Smith
Steve Smith is one of the greatest batsmen of modern cricket. In 102 test matches, he has scored 9,320 runs with an average of 58.6. The “Concentration” level of Steve Smith allows him to focus on batting for a long duration and score big runs for his team. In 2018, during a match against South Africa, Steve Smith was found guilty of ball tempering. For which, he got a ban of 1 year. After that, he made his comeback in 2019. In Ashes 2019, when the England crowd was mocking him, Steve Smith maintained his concentration level and scored centuries for Australia in that series.
3. Jos Buttler
England cricket is known for its attacking cricket. After the 2015 disaster World Cup, England redefined white-ball cricket and started playing attacking cricket. This was one of the main reasons England won the World Cup in two thousand nineteen. England’s current white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, always believes in playing aggressive cricket. His “Fearlessness” allows him to play cricket in this way. Buttler is one of the most dangerous white-ball batsmen in the world. In T20 cricket, Jos Buttler has scored 2,766 at a strike rate of nearly 145.
4. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is one of the best players in modern-day cricket. After 2012, he realized the importance of fitness and changed his body. Besides his excellent batting ability, Virat Kohli’s biggest strength is “Physical Fitness”. With his fitness level, he can easily play cricket for the next 5-6 years. In cricket, player’s longevity depends on their physical fitness and Virat Kohli is one of the fittest players. Virat Kohli is one of the greatest batsmen that India has ever seen. He is one of the rare batsmen who has scored consistently in all game formats.
5. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is one of the most talented players that India has ever produced. He is the only batsman with three doubles in ODI cricket, and he has scored the most centuries for India in T20 internationals. Rohit Sharma's shots are very effortless. Whenever he plays a shot, it looks exquisite. His most significant strength is his "Timing". The way he times the ball is fantastic; his pull shots are elegant. Many fewer players can time and play the shots like Rohit plays.
6. Pat Cummins
Australian right-arm fast bowler, Pat Cummins is one of the best fast bowlers in Australia. Currently, he is the Captain of Australia in test cricket and one day. Pat Cummin’s greatest strength is his “Control and Seam”. His control of the ball is mind-blowing. Pat Cummin’s stats also prove that. In 55 test matches, he has taken 239 wickets with an excellent average of 22.9. Even Pat Cummins was the No. 1 bowler in test cricket. He stayed the World's No. 1 test bowler for 1466 days. As of now, Ravichandran Ashwin is the No. 1 bowler in test cricket.
7. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers is one of the cricketers who changed the way of playing cricket. There is no doubt that he is the most admirable cricketer in India. He is the one who used to be the nightmare of bowlers in the white-ball cricket. His ability to play shots in multiple directions makes him different from others. AB de Villiers’s biggest strength is the “Varieties of Shots”, which he can play. He has multiple shots for a single ball. In ODI cricket, he has a record for the fastest century.
8. Liam Livingstone
England’s current middle-order batsman, Liam Livingstone, is one of the most destructive batsmen in modern-day cricket. He is the one who hit the ball out of the ground. During a match against Pakistan, Liam Livingstone hit the ball so hard that the ball went out of the stadium. His “Bat Speed” supports him in playing the big shots and it’s his biggest strength. Till now, he has played 33 T20 internationals in which he has scored 461 runs at a strike rate of nearly 146.
9. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga is one of the finest and most lethal bowlers Sri Lanka has ever produced. His weird actions used to make it difficult for batters to play him. In his prime, it was an impossible task to play his yorkers. Malinga’s biggest strength was his “Yorker” ball. He is one of the bowlers who took four wickets in 4 consecutive balls. Malinga was the bowler who could bowl in every situation of the match.
10. Glenn McGrath
Australian sensational fast bowler, Glenn McGrath is the best fast bowler that Australia has ever produced. Many batsmen admitted that he is the best bowler that they have faced. That’s why he is considered one of the greats of this game. Glenn McGrath did not have 140kmph speed but his biggest strength is his “Accuracy”. McGrath could bowl at a single spot for the entire day. His accuracy made it difficult for the batters to play him. He is the leading Australian fast-bowler with 563 wickets in test cricket and 381 wickets in ODI cricket.
