Cricket, in its decades of history, has witnessed the brilliance of several exceptional all-rounders. These players possess the rare ability to excel with both bat and ball, turning matches in their team’s favour with their two-edged sword.
The first player to cross the mind when talking about the best all-rounder in the world is Sir Garfield Sobers. He was exceptional with both the bat and all and inspired several budding all-rounders.
When talking about Indian cricket, Kapil Dev is the first name that comes to mind as one of the best all-rounders of all time. On that note, take a look at some of the best all-rounders to have graced the game.
List of 10 Best All-Rounder in the Cricket WorldÂ
| Rank | Player | Year | Country | Test Runs | Average | Test Wickets | Average |
| 1 | Sir Garfield Sobers | 1954-1974 | West Indies | 8,032 | 57.78 | 235 | 34.03 |
| 2 | Sir Ian Botham | 1977-1992 | England | 5,200 | 33.54 | 383 | 28.40 |
| 3 | Jacques Kallis | 1995-2014 | South Africa | 13,289 | 55.37 | 292 | 32.65 |
| 4 | Kapil Dev | 1978-1994 | India | 5,248 | 31.05 | 434 | 29.64 |
| 5 | Richard Hadlee | 1973-1990 | New Zealand | 3,124 | 27.16 | 431 | 22.29 |
| 6 | Imran Khan | 1971-1992 | Pakistan | 3,807 | 37.69 | 362 | 22.81 |
| 7 | Keith Miller | 1946-1956 | Australia | 2,958 | 36.97 | 170 | 22.97 |
| 8 | Shaun Pollock | 1995-2008 | South Africa | 3,781 | 32.31 | 421 | 23.11 |
| 9 | Andrew Flintoff | 1998-2009 | England | 3,845 | 31.77 | 226 | 32.78 |
| 10 | Shahid Afridi | 1996-2018 | Pakistan | 3,806 | 36.51 | 48 | 35.60 |
1. Sir Garfield Sobers (West Indies)
Regarded by many as the greatest all-rounder in cricket history, Sir Garfield Sobers’ illustrious career spanned from 1954 to 1974. Sobers amassed 8,032 runs in Test cricket at an impressive average of 57.78, including 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries.
With the ball, he claimed 235 wickets with his left-arm orthodox spin at an average of 34.03. His remarkable all-round abilities were further highlighted by his exceptional fielding skills. Sobers’ unparalleled versatility and flair made him a force to be reckoned with.Â
Read More: Most Centuries by Players in ICC Cricket World Cup
2. Sir Ian Botham (England)
Ian Botham revolutionized the concept of the modern-day all-rounder with his aggressive batting and potent seam bowling. In a career spanning from 1977 to 1992, Botham scored 5,200 runs in Test cricket at an average of 33.54, including 14 centuries and 22 half-centuries. With the ball, he claimed a staggering 383 wickets at an average of 28.40.
3. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Jacques Kallis is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders of the modern era. Across his illustrious career from 1995 to 2014, Kallis amassed 13,289 runs in Test cricket at an exceptional average of 55.37, including 45 centuries and 58 half-centuries. With the ball, he scalped 292 wickets at an average of 32.65.
In ODIs, Kallis scored 11579 runs at an average of 44.36, including 17 centuries and 86 fifties. With the ball, he picked up 273 wickets in the format. Kallis’ ability to perform consistently across all formats of the game made him a cornerstone of the South African cricket team for over a decade.
4. Kapil Dev (India)
Kapil Dev, the iconic Indian all-rounder, etched his name in cricketing folklore with his heroic performance in the 1983 World Cup. In a career spanning from 1978 to 1994, Kapil Dev scored 5,248 runs in Test cricket at an average of 31.05, including 8 centuries and 27 half-centuries.
With the ball, he claimed 434 wickets at an average of 29.64, becoming the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket at the time of his retirement. Kapil Dev’s leadership and match-winning contributions solidified his status as a legend of Indian cricket.
Suggested Read: Fastest Century in Test cricket
5. Richard Hadlee (New Zealand)
Richard Hadlee, the pioneering cricketer from New Zealand, redefined the role of the all-rounder with his exceptional skills with both bat and ball. From 1973 to 1990, Hadlee scored 3,124 runs in Test cricket at an average of 27.16, including 2 centuries and 15 half-centuries.
However, it was his skills with the ball that truly set him apart, as he claimed 431 wickets at an astonishing average of 22.29. Hadlee’s ability to swing the ball both ways and extract bounce made him a nightmare for opposition batsmen, earning him accolades as one of the finest fast bowlers of his era.
6. Imran Khan (Pakistan)
Imran Khan, the charismatic leader who guided Pakistan to its first World Cup triumph in 1992, was a true all-rounder in every sense of the word. In a career spanning from 1971 to 1992, Imran scored 3,807 runs in Test cricket at an average of 37.69, including 6 centuries and 18 half-centuries. With the ball, he claimed 362 wickets at an average of 22.81. Imran Khan’s astute leadership and match-winning performances made him an icon of Pakistan cricket.
7. Keith Miller (Australia)
Keith Miller, the dashing Australian all-rounder, played from 1946 to 1956, scoring 2,958 runs in Test cricket at an average of 36.97, including 7 centuries and 13 half-centuries. With the ball, he claimed 170 wickets at an average of 22.97. He was also a professional Australian rules footballer.
8. Shaun Pollock (South Africa)
Shaun Pollock established himself as one of South Africa’s greatest all-rounders during his illustrious career. From 1995 to 2008, Pollock scored 3,781 runs in Test cricket at an average of 32.31, including 2 centuries and 16 half-centuries.
With the ball, he claimed 421 wickets at an average of 23.11. Talking about his ODI career, Pollock holds the record for taking the most ODI wickets on home soil (193) and for bowling most Maiden overs in ODI history (313). He ended his ODI career with 3519 runs and 393 wickets in 303 matches.Â
9. Andrew Flintoff (England)
Andrew Flintoff, in his career from 1998 to 2009, scored 3,845 runs in Test cricket at an average of 31.77, including 5 centuries and 26 half-centuries. With the ball, he claimed 226 wickets at an average of 32.78, using his raw pace.
His crowning glory came in the 2005 Ashes series, where his heroic performances with both bat and ball played a pivotal role in England reclaiming the urn after 18 years.Â
Further Read: Highest Individual Score in ODI
10. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
Shahid Afridi, fondly known as “Boom Boom,” became a household name in cricket with his explosive batting and effective leg-spin bowling. From 1996 to 2018, Afridi scored 3,806 runs in Test cricket at an average of 36.51, including 5 centuries and 27 half-centuries.
Afridi claimed 48 wickets in Test cricket at an average of 35.60. However, it was in the limited-overs formats where Afridi truly excelled. In ODIs, he scored 8,064 runs at a strike rate of 117.00 and claimed 395 wickets at an average of 34.51.Â
FAQs about Best All-Rounder in the World
Q) Who is considered the best all-rounder in cricket history?
A) Sir Garfield Sobers is widely regarded as the best all-rounder in cricket history. His exceptional abilities with both bat and ball set him apart from his contemporaries and even those who came after him.
Q) Who is considered the best all-rounder in Indian cricket history?
A) Kapil Dev is considered the best all-rounder in Indian cricket history. He played a pivotal role in shaping Indian with his heroic performances, particularly in the 1983 World Cup where he led India to its first-ever World Cup triumph.
