The fact that a player has played over 500 matches in international cricket is proof that he is something special. It takes a lot of effort and skill to stay active in the sport for such a long time and make so many appearances on the international stage. Some players have played in many international matches and demonstrated their dedication to cricket.
1. Virat Kohli 500 Matches
Virat Kohli is the only active player in the top 10 list of the most played players in international cricket, having made 500 ODI appearances for India since his debut in 2008. Kohli made 111 Tests, 274 ODIs, and 115 T20Is for India, scoring 8555, 12898, and 4008 runs respectively. He's the best run-getter in the shortest format in the sport.
2. Rahul Dravid 509 Matches
Rahul Dravid received the title of "Mr. Dravid". He was rated as "reliable" for his outstanding hitting talent. During his 16-year career, the right-hander played many winning innings for India. The legendary hitter started his international career in 1996 and has appeared in 509 international matches. He made his impressive Test debut against England at Lords in 1996, scoring 95 goals. And he didn't look back. In total, he appeared in his 164 Tests, scored 13,288 runs, and was credited with 36 of his Century achievements. Dravid scored 10,889 runs in the 12th century in 344 ODIs, including the second-fastest 50 runs for an Indian player in the format.
3. Jacques Kallis 519 Matches
South Africa's Jack Callis is considered one of the greatest all-rounders of all time and is often compared to the great Sir Garfield Sobers. Since his 1995 debut, he has won 519 caps. Kallis is a fast bowling all-rounder but played 166 Tests and in the 45th century, he scored 13,289 runs and dialed 292 wickets. With 328 ODIs, Kallis scored 11,579 runs in the 17th century and also took 273 wickets. He also played 25 T20Is, scoring 666 runs and taking 12 wickets. Kallis retired from competition in 2014 and helped South Africa win its only ICC trophy by winning the Knockout Trophy in Bangladesh in 1998.
4. Shahid Afridi 524 Matches
Known as one of South Africa's all-time greatest all-rounders, Jack Kallis has amassed 519 caps since his debut in 1995. Despite being a fast bowling all-rounder, Kallis made 166 Test appearances, scoring 13,289 runs and taking 45 centuries and 292 wickets. With 328 ODIs, Kallis scored 11,579 runs in the 17th century and also took 273 wickets. He also played 25 T20Is, scoring 666 runs and taking 12 wickets. Kallis retired from competition in 2014 and helped South Africa win its only ICC trophy by winning the Knockout Trophy in Bangladesh in 1998.
Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi, better known as Shahid Afridi, is considered perhaps the most popular Pakistani cricketer alongside the great Imran Khan. He immediately made an impression when, at the age of 16, against Sri Lanka in 1996, he scored the fastest century in ODI history with 37 pitches at the time. Despite several retirements and comebacks, Afridi made 524 caps for Pakistan. He played his 27 Tests, which created his 5 century. Afridi was more effective in limited overs cricket as he scored 8064 runs with a best of 7/12 with 398 ODIs and 395 wickets in the 6th century. In 99 T20I, Afridi scored 98 wickets as he made 1416 runs. He also captained Pakistan at the 2015 World Cup and 2016 World T20 Championships, and was the top player when Men in Green won the 2009 World T20 Championships.
5. MS Dhoni 538 Matches
MS Dhoni is one of the few Indian cricketers to have played over 500 matches in international cricket. From 2004 to 2019, while he played in international cricket, this intrepid wicketkeeper and batsman made 538 appearances. In ODI, he ranks fifth in Men in Blue's most run rankings. He has played 347 ODIs for India, scoring 10,599 9-ton runs and 73 half-centuries. Not only was he a batsman, he was also a great wicket-keeper. With sacks in 350 games, he is the third most successful wicketkeeper in the ODI behind Australia's Adam Gilchrist and Sri Lanka's Kumar Sang Akala. With the Indian white team, Dhoni scored 4,876 runs in 144 innings in 90 Tests, including six centuries and 33 half centuries. He captained his team in India at the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and, under his leadership, Men in Blue lifted the coveted trophy. In his T20I record, he appeared in 98 games for India, batting 126.13 with 1,617 RBI in 85 innings. Dhoni, as captain of the India national team, won his T20 World Cup in 2007, his ODI World Cup in 2011, and his Champions Trophy in 2013. With these three titles, he is the only captain to win all three major ICC trophies in white ball cricket.
6. Ricky Ponting 560 Matches
One of Australia's greatest hitters, Ricky Ponting had a successful career from 1995 to 2012. Ponting also led Australia to his two World Cup wins in 2003 and 2007 as well as his two Champions Trophy wins. He was one of the best hitters of his time. In total, he made 560 caps for Australia, including 168 Tests, 375 ODIs and 17 T20Is. In these matches, Ponting managed 13,378 Test runs, 13,704 of his ODI runs, and his 401 Test runs over his century total of 71 internationals.
7. Sanath Jayasuriya 586 Matches
Former Sri Lankan all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya's contribution to world cricket is unforgettable and the former fearless cricketer is one of the legends who raised the bar of the sport in his outstanding cricket career. The left-handed hitter launched his international career with his ODI debut in the 1989 Benson Hedges World Series. He announced his retirement from international cricket in 2011 after appearing in 586 of his international matches. Jayasuriya is the second-best run-getter for Sri Lanka in the ODIs, scoring 13,364 runs in 441 games and batting 91.25. He set his best ODI score of 189 in the 2000 Coca-Cola Champions Trophy final against India in Sharjah. Jayasuriya was also known for his excellent bowling skills. In the ODI format, he scored 320 wickets in 365 innings and 4.77 in economy, the fourth-best wicket-taker in the country.
8. Kumar Sangakkara 594 Matches
Kumar Sangakkara is regarded as one of Sri Lanka's most stylish batsmen. He made his debut in 2000 and retired after hitting 4th century at the 2015 ODI World Cup in Australia. He racked up 12,400 RBIs in 38 Century in 134 Tests, becoming one of only two hitters behind Graham Gooch to achieve a triple tone and a Century in the same game. Sangakkara has an impressive record of 14,234 runs with his ODI of 404 and 1,382 runs with his T20I of 56 in the 25th century. He captained Sri Lanka in his 2011 World Cup Final and led Sri Lanka to victory in his 2014 T20 World Cup.
9. Mahela Jayawardene 652 Matches
Mahela Jayawardene was one of the most disciplined batsmen Sri Lanka has produced in world cricket. The dynamic right-handed batsman made 652 international cricket appearances and scored 25,957 runs. In 2006, he hit an iconic 374 in a game against South Africa in Colombo, becoming only the second Sri Lankan to achieve a triple-ton in a Test. He is the second-highest scorer in the oldest form of cricket, scoring 11,814 runs in 252 innings in 149 tests over 34 and 50 half- centuries. Jayawardena's ODI record is also great. The Colombo-born player is the third-highest RBI player on the national team, with 12,381 RBIs in 443 ODIs and a 78.67 batting average. He pitched 100 innings against Zimbabwe in the 2010 World Cup, becoming the first centurion for Sri Lanka in T20I.
10. Sachin Tendulkar
Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most appearances in international matches with 664 appearances. During his 24-year international career, he played cricket diligently and in 782 innings he scored 34,357 runs and his 50th in 164 in the 100 tons. was the top scorer in the match. In Test, he is the only cricketer to have played 200 matches. The veteran remains India's leading scorer to date, scoring 15,921 runs in the 51st century and 68 fifty in 329 innings. Sachin is also the only player, along with ex-Pakistan Javed Mianda, to have made six appearances at the ODI World Championships. Master Blaster said goodbye to his ODI cricket in December 2012 after being Whiteball, his longest playing cricket for 23 years.
