Top 10 Best All-Rounders in Cricket History
Cricket is one of those sports where individual brilliance and team effort go hand in hand, and no role on the field demonstrates this balance more than that of an all-rounder. All-rounders are the players who can do it all: excel with both bat and ball, and sometimes even make an impact in the field. They're the ones you want when your team is in trouble, capable of turning the tide with a fiery bowling spell or a crucial innings.
When thinking about the best all-rounders in cricket history, you're talking about players who were as comfortable smashing centuries as they were taking five-wicket hauls. Some dominated in one-day internationals, others in Test cricket, and the rarest excelled across all formats.
Their contributions go beyond stats. They often come through in the toughest moments, helping their team claw back into a match or seal a famous win.
This list is all about celebrating the cricketers who have mastered both sides of the game.
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Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis (born October 16, 1975) is a South African cricket coach and former cricketer. He is considered one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the sport. Kallis played for South Africa from 1995 to 2014 and later took on coaching roles for international teams.
Labeling Jacques Kallis merely as an "all-rounder" does not fully capture his prowess as a batsman. He has amassed nearly 25,000 international runs in tests and One Day Internationals (ODIs), holds the second-highest number of test centuries after Sachin Tendulkar, and boasts a test batting average that surpasses Tendulkar's.
Kallis is more accurately described as one of the top three test batsmen of all time, who also excelled in bowling with a total of 565 international wickets. His record of wickets surpasses the number of times he was dismissed - 564 times. This feat is unmatched by any other cricketer, past or present, and is unlikely to be surpassed in the future. Truly, he is King Kallis.
He's simply the best cricketer born in cricket history. His Test run aggregate, as well as the number of centuries scored, is the second-highest in Test history.
An excellent medium-fast bowler, with nearly 300 wickets to his credit. Most importantly, an outstanding fielder who is only one of two Test cricketers in history with 200 catches.
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Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan is a former Bangladeshi international cricketer who played in Test, One Day International, and Twenty20 formats. He served as captain of the Bangladesh national team across all three formats during his career. Shakib is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history... read more
One of the best all-rounders in cricket history, Shakib Al Hasan has significantly contributed to the progress of Bangladesh as a Test team. In many of the matches won by Bangladesh, you will see Shakib's contribution, either with the bat, ball, or both. His terrific all-round performance has enhanced the Bangladesh team, and he is in the number 2 spot of top all-rounders of all time.
A talented left-hand batsman and left-arm spinner, Shakib Al Hasan is unarguably the best cricketer that Bangladesh has ever had. As a bowler, he is accurate, consistent, and canny. His aggression and a wide range of strokes are the keys to his batting. Even more importantly, he has self-belief, an excellent temperament, is unflustered by big occasions, and is ready to do battle against the top teams.
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Shahid Afridi
Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi, widely known as Boom Boom, is a retired Pakistani cricketer. He played international cricket from 1996 to 2017 and was known for his aggressive batting and leg-spin bowling. Afridi famously held the record for the fastest century in One Day Internationals for nearly... read more
Shahid Afridi remains one of the most charismatic cricketers in history. Known for holding the record for the fastest century, his presence at the crease always excites the crowd, even if he has had a string of unsuccessful performances. Afridi also holds the record for the most sixes in ODIs and boasts the best strike rate in ODI cricket history.
As a bowler, Afridi is the only all-rounder to have scored more than 7,000 runs and taken over 300 wickets. His performance of taking 7 wickets for 12 runs against the West Indies in 2013 stands as the second-best bowling figure ever recorded. His ability to often achieve clean bowled dismissals sets him apart from other leg-spinners. Afridi undoubtedly deserves the top spot on the list.
A handsome and truly legendary cricketer the game has ever known! Although his fastest century record is broken now, he maintained it for 18 years.
He still has the most sixes in international cricket and in one-day cricket. He has the highest strike rate and over 500 international wickets. He is a very useful and unpredictable player who can change the game in seconds.
Thumbs up for Shahid Afridi!
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Imran Khan
Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi (born October 5, 1952) is a Pakistani politician, former cricketer, and philanthropist who served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan from August 2018 to April 2022. He is the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which he established in 1996. As of July 2025... read more
Maintaining a glamorous image as the world's most good-looking sportsman, with fans eagerly waiting outside the ground just to catch a glimpse, and still performing excellently is a testament to hard work and determination. Imran Khan emerged as the best all-rounder of his era, excelling as a bowler, batsman, and leader.
Imran's statistics before and after becoming captain illustrate his remarkable growth. Initially, he averaged 19.3 in batting and over 28 in bowling. However, once he assumed captaincy, his batting average soared to over 55, and his bowling average dropped below 18. This is the best record for any captain in world cricket. Imran is unique in that he improved over time, unlike other all-rounders such as Ian Botham and Kapil Dev, whose skills diminished. He ended his career at the pinnacle of world cricket.
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Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev also ranks highly as an all-rounder, excelling in batting, bowling, fielding, and captaincy. While most discussions about all-rounders focus on batting and bowling, Kapil shone in all aspects of the game. He was a formidable bowler, an aggressive batsman, and an outstanding fielder - his iconic catch of Sir Viv Richards in the 1983 World Cup is unforgettable. As a captain, he was dynamic, although his tenure was later marred by lack of support from some senior players who envied his charisma. Compared to others like Imran Khan, Ian Botham, and Richard Hadlee - who were not as proficient in fielding - Kapil stands out. Botham struggled with captaincy, and Hadlee never took on the role. Thus, Kapil Dev deserves full marks.
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Garfield Sobers
Garfield Sobers is arguably the greatest cricketer of all time. When the West Indies were trailing by about 250 runs and seemed destined to lose, Sobers could turn the game around with his powerful hitting, scoring sixes and fours with ease. He was also an exceptionally versatile bowler, capable of fast bowling and spinning both leg and off, and could bowl with either hand.
Additionally, Sobers was a formidable fielder. He could dive for the ball, catch it while still airborne, and make direct hits on the stumps mid-air. In the ranking of all-rounders, Sobers should be placed above Kapil Dev, with Dev in third place and Kallis second.
By far the best all-rounder ever. No one could touch him for sheer variety and expertise in all the disciplines of cricket. Best batsman, a whole level ahead of everyone. Finest medium pacer and world class spinner. One of the world's finest fielders. A superman in cricket.
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Ian Botham
Sir Ian Terence Botham is a former England Test cricketer and Test team captain. He played 102 Test matches for England between 1977 and 1992. He is currently a cricket commentator and was knighted in 2007 for his services to cricket and charity.
People here are not real cricket fans. Botham was the best and will stay in that place forever. Is Yuvraj Singh a better all-rounder? Have you guys gone nuts? And Sobers on 7th rank?
When this man came on the pitch, the excitement level of the crowd was amazing. He was expected to win the match on his own... And very often he did.
Great cricketing legend and a true gentleman of the beautiful game of cricket.
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Richard Hadlee
Champion fast bowler and a way better batsman than the very few bowlers in his league.
An all-time World XI candidate based on the stats.
Easily the best all-rounder of all time. His bowling average is the third best of all time! His batting average is better than some number 5/6 batsmen.
His records speak for this great man.
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Sanath Jayasuriya
Jayasuriya is a legend of the cricket world. His batting, bowling, and fielding abilities are unmatchable. He is the best game changer. His running between wickets is great.
Sanath Jayasuriya must be the number one all-rounder. Which player has reached his record of more than 13,000 runs, more than 350 wickets, and more than 100 catches, including run-outs? So, he is the number one player.
Haha, he took more than 400 wickets and hit more than 13,000 runs in international cricket. He is the only one to show that type of performance in international cricket history. He is the only cricketer at this level, and he must be at the top of this list.
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Shane Watson
Shane Robert Watson is a former Australian international cricketer and former captain who played all formats of the game. He was known for his powerful batting and medium-fast bowling. Watson represented Australia from 2002 to 2016 and was a key player in their 2007 and 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup wins... read more
He is the best. He is the best of all time. Nobody was like him. He is the most dangerous batsman in the history of cricket. He is rocking the world.
Shane Watson is a very good all-rounder. He can play all the shots comfortably on certain balls and has a good temperament. He is also very good at bowling. I like him very much. He is simply amazing to watch! However, there is scope for improvement in his forward defense.
The Captain America of cricket. Not liked by most, but still the best. This guy should be at the first number on this list.
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Vinoo Mankad
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Daniel Vettori
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Andrew Flintoff
Andrew deserves the title of the best bowler, average batsman, and average fielder. Do not joke about keeping Dhoni on the list.
I'm a big fan of Andrew Flintoff because I like his batting and bowling as well.
He is a great all-rounder, a good batsman, and a good bowler. Very talented.
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Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh is a former Indian cricketer who played in all international formats, including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. He rose to prominence during the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and played a pivotal role in India's World Cup victory in 2011. In 2011, he was diagnosed with a rare germ-cell cancer but successfully... read more
Yuvraj Singh is the best all-rounder I have ever seen. The day he doesn't bowl well, he excels with the bat. When not excelling with the bat, he is marvelous in his fielding and bowling. He was the main icon who helped India win the 2011 World Cup. He is truly god-gifted. India should certainly look for these kinds of players. He must keep it up.
Yuvraj Singh is the best all-rounder. His batting is dangerous, and his bowling line and length are crucial. He was the main icon for India to win the 2011 World Cup. He is a gift to the Indian team from God. He should be given chances to help India win more matches. I support Yuvi.
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Ravindra Jadeja
I watched Jadeja in the final of the Champions Trophy, and he was excellent. Definitely a no-brainer.
In 2014, he performed exceptionally with the bat in ODIs. He was ranked 1st in ODI bowling rankings. He will be maximally utilized when batting at No. 5 (or 4) in ODIs.
He doesn't concede many runs and always takes a wicket or two.
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Shaun Pollock
I think he's the best. He did not have very good bowlers helping him at the time. So, he had to keep runs down and take wickets. People forget he was batting way down the order, but that man could bat. He is the best by a long shot.
The best there is. Was a great bowler and batted very well down the order.
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Abdul Razzaq
He is the world's best all-rounder. He can play according to the situation and hit huge sixes when required. He is a good bowler as well, and can swing the ball along with slower deliveries.
If there's any doubt, watch his inning of 109 not out on 72 balls against South Africa.
I like him. He is the very best in cricket.
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Keith Miller
He could bat, bowl, and charm any Sheila.
A great bowling all-rounder.
The younger generation may not know much about him, but he is the greatest all-rounder of Australia. He deserves to be in the top 5 all-rounders in Test cricket.
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Chris Cairns
Great New Zealand all-rounder, a match-winner with both bat and ball.
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Mohammad Hafeez
Hafeez is a calm, cool, and collected guy. He plays cricket with a determined mindset and leads his team with great enthusiasm. He is one of the best all-rounders of all times. Having such a great man is more than a pleasure for the Pakistani nation!
The greatest all-rounder ever. He is an absolute legend.
He is a very talented all-rounder of the Pakistani team and one of the top all-rounders in T20s and ODIs. Hafeez always supports his team whenever Pakistan needs him, and he is an excellent captain too.
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Lance Klusener
Lance Klusener is a best all-rounder. He was declared Man of the Series in the 1999 World Cup, taking 17 wickets and scoring 257 runs. He helped South Africa reach the semifinal.
Lance Klusener, who is the best all-rounder of all time. He is the greatest hitter and bowler. He led South Africa to reach the semifinal in the 1999 World Cup.
He is a match-winner all the time. I miss you, my hero, Klusener.
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Andrew Symonds
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JP Duminy
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Andre Russell
I think that in another five or seven years, he could be in the top ten.
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Glenn Maxwell
Glenn James Maxwell is an Australian cricketer who plays One Day International and Twenty20 International matches for Australia. Known for his explosive batting and versatile all-rounder skills, he has also played in multiple domestic T20 leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League... read more
Glenn Maxwell doesn't need a definition. He is by far the most destructive batsman in world cricket. Besides, he is a handy off-spinner and an electric fielder. I seriously think all non-cricket fans have visited this site, because Maxi needs to be in the top 5.
He has become the best all-rounder in T20 because he hits more sixes and supports Australia.
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Steve Waugh
Best ever captain in Australian history and a match-winner. Also a very talented player.
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Irfan Pathan
India really missed his talent. He could have been India's best all-rounder if India had handled him brilliantly, which Sourav did well in 2005.
He is the best all-rounder I have ever seen. He is my favorite player.
Number 1 bowler in the world for a left-handed all-rounder.