There has always been a debate about cricket's most incredible batters or bowlers. Even the most trending debates are all about the performances of big batters like Virat, Root, and Smith. But very few people talk about the fearless intent that every cricketer needs. Plenty of fearless cricketers in the current generation, like Rishant Pant and Jos Buttler. But some players have always been fearless. So, here's a list of the top ten most fearless cricketers.
1. Viv Richards
Viv Richards is the greatest and most destructive batsman that West Indies has ever seen. In the 70s and 80s era, when there were no helmets and the bowlers used to be speed guns, Viv Richards used to bat without a helmet. In his career, he had always dominated every great fast bowler. That's why Viv Richards is one of the most fearless players in cricket history. In his career, he scored 8,540 runs in tests and 6,721 runs in ODIs with a fantastic average of 50.2 and 47, respectively.
2. Virender Sehwag
Undoubtedly, Virender Sehwag is one of the most ruthless batsmen in the history of cricket. If there is one batter who has the guts to smash six for scoring a century, then it is only Virender Sehwag. After him, Cricket World has never seen a fearless player like him who used to smash every bowler without any fear. Virender Sehwag is the first batsman who scored triple century in test cricket for India. Because of his fearless attitude, all bowlers used to fear him. In his career, Virender Sehwag has 8,586 runs in tests and 8,273 runs in ODI cricket.
3. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers is one of the greatest batsmen that South Africa has ever produced. He is one of the most innovative players who started playing shots in every direction. AB de Villiers is famously known as the "Mr. 360" for his ability to play shots in multiple directions. For being Mr. 360, bowlers used to fear him as he could smash any bowler irrespective of the fielding position. Undoubtedly, AB de Villiers is one of the bravest players ever. In his career, AB de Villiers has scored 8,765 runs in tests, 9,577 runs in ODI, and 1,672 runs in T20 internationals.
4. Don Bradman
There is no doubt that Don Bradman is the greatest batsman in the history of cricket, as people consider him one of the most legendary players who ever played cricket. Don Bradman played cricket between 1930 and 1940; during this time, there were no proper safety guards for batters, and he used to play in those conditions. That's why Don Bradman could be better, not only because of his records but also because of his fearlessness. No batter in cricket history has been more average than him. In his test career for Australia, Don Bradman scored 6,996 runs in 52 test matches with an unimaginable average of 99.9.
5. Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist is a former left-handed batsman from Australia and the most influential cricketer of all time. He is one of the players who redefined the playing style. During the late 90s, Adam Gilchrist was one of the most dangerous opening batsmen. As an opener, he used to destroy the confidence of bowlers by attacking them from the very 1st ball of the match. Adam Gilchrist is one of the most fearless cricketers of all time. In his career, he scored 5,570 runs in tests and 9,619 runs in ODI internationals.
6. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle is one of the rarest batsmen blessed with immense power, which helps him to play big shots. That's why he is famous for his big sixes. In International Cricket, Chris Gayle has hit 553 sixes, which Rohit Sharma recently broke. In his prime days, every bowler in the World used to fear him as Chris Gayle was the nightmare of bowlers. His fearlessness allowed him to play fearless cricket. In his career, Chris Gayle has scored 7,214 runs in tests, 10,480 runs in ODI, and 1,899 runs in T20 internationals.
7. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni is one of the biggest brands in the cricket world. Undoubtedly, one of the best captains in the cricket history. In his captaincy period, there were many times when MS Dhoni made risky and unconventional decisions that ultimately benefitted India. A Captain has to be fearless to make such unconventional decisions, and MS Dhoni is a master of it. His fearless attitude and sharp mind make him one of the best cricketing minds. In his career, MS Dhoni has scored 4,876 runs in tests, 10,773 runs in ODI, and 1,617 runs in T20 internationals.
8. Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum is a former right-handed and skipper of New Zealand. When Brendon was the captain of New Zealand, he always played with an aggressive intent, which we also got to see in the 2015 World Cup. Brendon McCullum is a coach of the England cricket team, and he introduced the concept of baseball cricket, which says to score runs quickly by playing aggressive cricket. Brendon McCullum's these qualities make him one of the most fearless players in the World. He scored 6,453 runs in tests, 6,083 runs in ODI, and 2,140 in T20 internationals.
9. Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi is one of the most entertaining cricketers who always played with the intent of scoring runs by smashing big sixes. He has scored an ODI century in only 37 balls against Sri Lanka. Undoubtedly, Shahid Afridi is one of the biggest all-rounders Pakistan has ever produced and has also finished many games for his team. During his playing days, Shahid Afridi always believed in playing aggressive and fearless cricket, and many times, he smashed six in the first ball of his innings. In his career, Shahid Afridi has scored 1,716 runs in tests, 8,064 in ODI, and 1,416 runs in T20 internationals.
10. Krishnamachari Srikkanth
Krishnamachari Srikkanth is a former right-handed batsman from India. He was also part of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, and Srikkanth was the leading run-scorer for India in the 1983 finals. When a strike of 50 was considered decent, Krishnamachari Srikkanth used to bat at a strike rate of more than 100. He is one of the first Indian batsmen who started playing cricket by dominating the bowlers. In his career, Srikkanth scored 2,062 runs in tests and 4,091 runs in ODI cricket.
