Becoming the No. 1 ranked player in any format of cricket is a big achievement. But reaching the top spot in all three formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is—is something only a few players have done. It shows their skill, hard work, and ability to perform in every version of the game. These cricketers have proved themselves in different conditions and against the best teams in the world. In this article, we will take a look at those players who have achieved this very rare milestone. Sno Players 1 Ricky Ponting 2 Matthew Hayden 3 Shakib Al Hasan 4 Virat Kohli 5 Jasprit Bumrah Ricky Ponting Image Source: PA Photo Former Australian batting colossus Ricky Ponting is considered one of the most daunting presences in the crease and has also been the ultimate batsman for crushing bowling attacks from all around the world. His aggressive cricketing style along with his impeccable tactics made him an indispensable force for the Australian cricket team. Under his leadership, they earned numerous victories in international cricket as well. He reached the pinnacle of Test cricket, claiming the number one spot in the ICC Test Rankings, which he maintained with distinction until November 2007, when December 2005 was nearly upon him. He also dominated the ODI format and became the first batter to hold the number one position in the ICC ODI Rankings in March 2005. His influence did not go unnoticed in the developing format of Twenty20 Internationals, where he went on to make history as the first batter to hold the top position in the ICC T20I Rankings for batters. Also Read | Varun Chakaravarthy Bowling Stats: A Deep Dive into His T20 & IPL Performance Matthew Hayden Image Source: Getty Images Former Aussie opener, Matthew Hayden, regarded as one of the most intimidating opening batsmen in cricketing history, regularly let loose his ferocity with the bat and left an indelible mark on opponents by virtue of explosive performances. Left-handed Hayden's career is full of 30 Test centuries and 10 ODI hundreds, which is evidence of his domination at the crease in the longer formats of the game. Apart from his successful outings in Tests and ODIs, Hayden also had the place in the shortest format where he scored 308 from mere nine T20 International innings, a figure that averaged out to an incredible 51.33 while boasting a strike-rate of 143.9 with four half-centuries. Such consistent performances have earned the southpaw the rare distinction of topping the Test, ODI, and T20I charts, making him one of the all-time greats in the game. Shakib Al Hasan Image Source: Getty Images Shakib Al Hasan's contribution to Bangladesh cricket goes far beyond numbers, for his leadership, his experience, and performances under pressure made him a central figure in Bangladesh's rise in international cricket. Shakib Al Hasan bagged 233 wickets in Tests, 317 in ODIs, and 140 in T20Is, thereby topping the wicket-taking charts for Bangladesh in all formats. His contributions in ODIs and Tests are monumental. He is the third-highest run scorer for Bangladesh in ODIs, with 7,570 runs, and Tests, with 4,454 runs, proving his ability to score runs and play crucial innings in all formats. Shakib has scored 2,382 runs in T20Is, the most by any Bangladeshi player. This perfect blend of batting and bowling skills proves his all-rounder potential and his contribution to the team. He is one of those players who had achieved a historical milestone in June 2015 when he became the second man ever to hold the number one position in the all-rounder category of all three formats. Virat Kohli Image Source: PTI Indian stalwart, Virat Kohli etched his name in cricketing history as the first Indian to achieve the prestigious number-one ranking in all three formats of the game. His rise to the top began in Test cricket back in August 2018, after his magnificent performance against England. This is worth mentioning because the performance was preceded by a woeful tour of England in 2014. Kohli's rise in ODI is just as spectacular: he first claimed the world number one position in November 2013. Although he briefly lost it, Kohli dominated the ODI rankings from 2017 to 2021, holding the top position for over 1,500 days, underlining his consistency and dominance in the 50-over format. In the T20I format, Kohli reached the zenith of the batting rankings for the first time in September 2014 and currently has the most runs in the format. Also Read | Border-Gavaskar Trophy History: Key Moments & Rivalry Jasprit Bumrah Image Source: Getty Images Indian pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah recently became the latest cricketer who joined the group of players who attained the number-one ranking across all three formats. He set a unique record as the first bowler to do so. The ICC Test Rankings is one of the places where his dominance and influence are seen in the cricketing world since he debuted internationally in 2016. Bumrah's arrival in international cricket was characterized by his unique action and deadly yorkers, making him an instant darling of the fans and gurus alike. Within no time, Bumrah was basking in glory as one of the most intimidating bowlers of contemporary cricket. He was at the top of the ODI Rankings from February 2018 and until February 2020. After a strong showing, with one six-wicket haul against England in July 2022, he returned to the number-one position. He reached the pinnacle of T20I bowling rankings at the tail end of 2017 for a brief time. Bumrah's achievements not only celebrate his exceptional talent and hard work but also his significant role in shaping the narrative of fast bowling in modern cricket. Conclusion It is not at all easy to reach the no. 1 ranking in each of the formats. It took years of sincerity, consistency, and outstanding performance. The one who has topped the chart would have left his mark in cricketing history. He could inspire many youths to target heights and work on it. Looking at the scenario, it'll be interesting in the future, whether more youngsters can be enlisted in this select list.