The All Time ODI XI is a group of the best players of all time to have played ODI Cricket over the past 50 years. There have been some truly remarkable players who have played ODI Cricket over these many decades and these are the players who have been the best in history. Most of the players will be from the 1990s to the 2000s generation because at that time both the batting and bowling was at its peak. There can be 2 players for every spot in this XI.

Let’s look at the All Time ODI XI

Openers

Sachin Tendulkar

The first player in this list is possibly one of the easiest selections in this team. He is the greatest opener that has ever played ODI Cricket and one of the 2 greatest of all time. Sachin Tendulkar has played 463 ODIs for India in which he has scored 18426 runs which is 4000+ more runs than the next best player. He has played ODI Cricket for 22+ years from 1989 till 2012. He has been the highest run getter in ODI World Cups with 2200+ runs and he was the winner of the 2011 ODI World Cup. He is one of the few players that walks in both the ODI and Test World All Time XI.

Sanath Jayasuriya

The opening partner for Sachin Tendulkar has to be the great Sri Lankan opening batter Sanath Jayasuriya. He is the most consistent opener for Sri Lanka and he has made 13430 runs in 445 ODI Matches that he has played for Sri Lanka. He has made 28 Hundreds in ODIs. He can also bowl good quality left arm spin as he has taken 323 Wickets in ODI Cricket. Sanath Jayasuriya and Sachin Tendulkar are the dream opening combination. He will bowl all 10 overs and that will allow this team to play an extra fast Bowler.

Middle Order

Virat Kohli

There can be no other batter other than Virat Kohli at the number 3 slot. He is arguably the greatest batter in the history of ODI Cricket and most certainly the best number 3 ever. He has played 292 Matches for India in which he has made 13848 Runs. He has made 50 ODI hundreds which is the most by any batter in the history of this format. Kohli’s first ODI hundred came in 2009. He still has 4-5 good years left in him and he can get 10+ more hundreds. The middle order starting with Virat Kohli is something special. 

Ricky Ponting ©

At number 4 is the greatest Australian batter in the history of ODI Cricket and it is none other than Ricky Ponting. Ricky Ponting would have been the number 3 had it not been for Virat Kohli. He has to be in this team and number 4 will be perfect. He has played 375 ODIs for Australia in which he has scored 13704 runs and he has made 30 Hundreds in his ODI career. He will also be the captain of the team as he has won 2 ODI World Cups as captain. The great Vivian Richards was also in the running for this spot but the numbers of Ricky Ponting were something that could not be ignored.

AB De Villiers

At number 5 has to be the great South African batter known as AB De Villiers. Not having him in this team would have not been right. He is one of the only few batters who has an average of 53+ and a strike rate of 100+ in ODI Cricket. He has played 228 ODIs for South Africa in which he has made 9577 Runs. He has also made 25 Hundreds in ODI Cricket. He can shift gears in an instant and destroy the opposition bowling. Having Virat Kohli, Ricky Ponting and AB De Villiers at 3,4 and 5 is a dream.

MS Dhoni (WK)

At number 6 and the wicket keeper in this team will be none other than MS Dhoni. He is the greatest wicket keeper batter to ever play ODI Cricket. At number 6 he has made thousands of runs for India and he has a staggering average of 50+ while batting lower down the order. He has played 350 ODIs and has scored 10773 runs with 10 hundreds in ODI Cricket. He will be in the leadership group with Ricky Ponting and will be the vice captain of the team.

Lower Order

Kapil Dev

The greatest all rounder India has ever seen and the 1983 World Cup winning captain has to be in this Team. At number 7, the team needs a proper all rounder and Kapil Dev provides that and more. He has played 225 ODIs for India and has made 3783 Runs. He has also taken 253 Wickets for India in this format. There was Imran Khan of Pakistan fighting for this spot but Kapil Dev is a better batter and bowler.

Wasim Akram

This team would not be complete without Wasim Akram. He is the greatest fast bowler to ever play ODI Cricket. He is also the only fast bowler in history to take more than 500 Wickets in ODI Cricket. He has played 358 ODIs and he has also made 3717 runs for Pakistan showing that he is also a very handy bat. He has taken 502 Wickets in ODI Cricket. He will bowl with the new ball.

Waqar Younis

The bowling partner of Wasim Akram is also one of the greatest fast bowlers in ODI history and his name is Waqar Younis. Waqar Younis is also one of the select few fast bowlers who have taken more than 400 ODI Wickets. He has played 262 ODIs for Pakistan and has taken 416 Wickets and he also has 13 Five Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket. Waqar Younis will take the new ball with Wasim Akram.

Muttiah Muralidharan

The highest wicket taker in the history of ODI Cricket has to be in the All Time ODI XI. He is the highest wicket taker in both Test Cricket and ODI Cricket. He has played 350 Matches for Sri Lanka and has taken 534 Wickets. This is 32 more wickets than the next best and it is unlikely that this record will ever be broken. He has taken 10 Five Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket.

Glenn McGrath

The last player in this team is none other than Glenn McGrath. This team has 2 spinners already as Muttiah Muralidharan and Sanath Jayasuriya will bowl the overs for the spinners. Therefore the last player in this team has to be a player that has helped Australia to win a number of World Cups by his bowling. He has played 250 ODIs for Australia and in those Matches he has taken 382 Wickets at an amazing average of 22.02. The fast bowling attack of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Glenn McGrath will send shivers down any batting unit’s spine.