In the dynamic One Day International (ODI) cricket environment, all-rounders have always been held dear. These chameleons of cricketers, capable of changing a game around with bat and ball, represent the perfect combination of ability and adaptability that the 50-over game calls for. From Sanath Jayasuriya's big-hitting backed by game-changing left-arm spin to Wasim Akram's fearsome pace bowling backed by match-winning lower-order contributions, these players have rewritten the definition of a complete cricketer. The evolution of ODI cricket has seen these greats of the game transform and innovate, setting new standards for generations to follow. Their ability to contribute in games in various ways has not only built countless victories for their teams but also revolutionized the manner in which the game is being played. Let us see the careers of these incredible cricketers who are Greatest ODI All-Rounders of All Time. Top 10 Greatest ODI All-Rounders of All Time Rank Player Country Matches Runs Wickets Catches 1 Sanath Jayasuriya Sri Lanka 445 13,430 323 123 2 Jacques Kallis South Africa 328 11,579 273 131 3 Shahid Afridi Pakistan 398 8,064 395 127 4 Shakib Al Hasan Bangladesh 247 7,570 317 60 5 Sachin Tendulkar India 463 18,426 154 140 6 Chris Cairns New Zealand 215 4,950 201 66 7 Kapil Dev India 225 3,783 253 71 8 Wasim Akram Pakistan 356 3,717 502 88 9 Imran Khan Pakistan 175 3,709 182 36 10 Andrew Flintoff England 141 3,394 169 47 Player Profiles of Greatest ODI All-Rounders of All Time Sanath Jayasuriya Image Source: AFP The "Matara Mauler" revolutionized the face of ODI cricket with his forceful intent, opening batting and effective left-arm spin. His playing career from 1989 to 2011 consisted of 13,430 runs and 323 wickets in 445 matches. Jayasuriya's impact was more than numbers – he redefined the strategy against powerplay overs, and bold batting in the first 15 overs became a tactical norm. His ability to pace the innings right from the start without losing on consistency made him a nightmare for the opposition. As a bowler, his left-arm seam at high speeds was particularly devastating in the middle overs, dismantling crucial stands with regular ease. His contribution to Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup victory, for which he received the Player of the Tournament award, is one of cricket's Greatest ODI All-Rounders of All Time. Also Read | World No. 1 Batsman in All Formats: Who Holds the Crown? Jacques Kallis Image Source: AFP The king of cricketing excellence, Kallis's ODI career from 1995 to 2014 exhibited flawless consistency in every aspect of the game. With 11,579 runs and 273 wickets in 328 matches, his numbers attest to his unmatched all-round abilities. What made Kallis apart from the pack was technical brilliance – textbook batting technique paired with precise fast-medium bowling. Though the majority of all-rounders who were stars in one department fared poorly in the second department, Kallis produced world-class performances in both departments during his career. His skills at anchoring innings, spiking up when required, and producing turning point bowling spells enabled him to be South Africa's most dependable player. His sure pair of hands in the slips, marked by 131 catches, provided another layer to his all-round talent. Shahid Afridi Image Source: Associated Press Known as “Boom Boom” for his explosive batting, Afridi’s transformation into one of cricket’s finest leg-spinners makes his career particularly fascinating. At 398 ODIs between 1996 and 2018, he made 8,064 runs and achieved 395 wickets, deciding games in matches with minutes sometimes. His dangerous batting style, best exemplified by the then fastest ODI hundred record for decades, constantly made him threatening. With growing age, his leg-spin remained efficient, putting him among the best bowlers from Pakistan. His ability to perform under pressure, particularly in tournament knockouts, set him apart from many contemporaries. Despite his sometimes erratic style, Afridi’s match-winning abilities in both disciplines made him one of cricket’s most entertaining all-rounders. Shakib Al Hasan Image Source: AP Photo Bangladesh’s greatest cricketer, Shakib has redefined all-round excellence in modern ODI cricket.Since 2006, he has scored 7,570 runs and captured 317 wickets in 247 games with unprecedented consistency in both areas. His left-arm spin is supported by finesse variations so that he can keep himself effective right through each phase of the match. In batting, his consistency in managing the games from the middle order by achieving a decent strike rate has been a key contribution to the success of Bangladesh in international cricket. It is what separates Shakib that he plays so persistently and often shoulders the expectations of an entire nation on his shoulders. His intelligent approach to playing the game, combined with natural talent, has made him one of the most consistent all-rounders in contemporary cricket. Sachin Tendulkar Image Source: X While popularly known for batting, Tendulkar's all-round effort is often underappreciated. His ODI stint (1989-2012) yielded 18,426 runs and 154 wickets in 463 matches.Beyond his showmanship with the bat, Tendulkar's ability to convert part-time into full-time with leg-spin turned off-spin prowess made him precious. He often yielded match-winning breaks when top bowlers were getting defeated, evidenced by his two five-wicket hauls. His ability to sense the game and change bowling on the basis of conditions brought for him a much bigger name than that of a part-time bowler. The combination of his record-breaking batting achievements with massive bowling returns, and 140 catches, fully justifies him for the title of being an all-round great of the game. Chris Cairns Image Source: Getty Images A dominant all-rounder for New Zealand, Cairns's career (1989-2006) produced 4,950 runs and 201 wickets in 215 ODIs. His middle-order aggression with bat and skillful fast-medium bowling made him cricket's most thrilling player. What distinguished Cairns was his ability to perform in pressure situations – his batting strike rate of 84.26 and bowling average of 32.80 attest to his attacking style in both departments. His big-hitting capacity made him especially menacing in the death overs, while his astute variations in bowling, particularly the yorker and the slower ball, made him a consistent death bowler. While playing in a comparatively weaker side, Cairns's performance usually propelled New Zealand to fighting scores. His 66 field catches added further proof of his all-round athletic credentials. Kapil Dev Image Source: Getty Images India's first authentic fast-bowling all-rounder, Kapil Dev's career from 1978 to 1994 was remembered for 3,783 runs and 253 wickets from 225 ODIs. The pinnacle of success came as leader of India's 1983 World Cup triumphant side when his all-around ability was particularly important. Natural athleticism and durability enabled Kapil to sustain fast-medium bowling accuracy over extended spells. As a batsman, his attacking style and capacity to hit huge sixes made him a lower-order threat, best seen in his legendary 175* against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup. Though unorthodox, his bowling action was very effective in generating movement off the ground and in the air. Kapil's 71 catches, many of them blockbuster, showcased his brilliant fielding skills, which were unusual for a fast bowler of his time. Wasim Akram Image Source: Getty Images The "Sultan of Swing" changed the concept of a bowling all-rounder in ODI cricket. In his playing career (1984-2003), Akram took 502 wickets and made 3,717 runs in 356 games. His bowling record places him amongst the greatest cricketers of all time, with his left-arm pace bowling setting new heights for ability and accuracy. What set Akram apart as an all-rounder was the fact that he could score vital runs towards the lower order, frequently under pressure. His batting average of 16.52 does not do justice to his match-winning credentials as a batsman. His skill at reverse swing and the knack of delivering destructive yorkers made him almost unbeatable at times. With 88 catches to his credit, Akram was also a good fielder, completing his all-round abilities. Imran Khan Image Source: Getty Images A cricketing legend, Imran Khan's ODI career spanning 1971-1992 had 3,709 runs and 182 wickets in 175 matches. His finest hour was as captain when he guided Pakistan to World Cup triumph in 1992. As a bowler, Imran was truly fast and talented, able to trouble the top batsmen with his speed and swing. His batting also improved later in his career, and he became a solid middle-order batsman. What distinguished Imran was his leadership quality – he could raise his game and motivate his side in the big moments. His all-round effort in the 1992 World Cup final, where he pushed himself up the order and scored 72 runs before claiming the last wicket, was a reflection of his big-match temperament. Andrew Flintoff Image Source: Getty Images "Freddie" Flintoff's ODI career (1996-2009) yielded 3,394 runs and 169 wickets in 141 games. His aggressive batting and aggressive fast bowling made him one of England's most effective all-rounders. Flintoff's game-changing batting and bowling skills were especially demonstrated under pressure. His bowling featured pace, bounce, and precision, and his batting featured natural power coupled with maturing technique. While his ODI records may not compare with some other names on this list, his match-influence extended beyond numbers. His presence on the pitch, whether batting, bowling, or in his fielding athletic work (47 catches), tended to elevate the performance of the entire team. Flintoff's skill in delivering in high-pressure conditions, especially against Australia, made him a match-winner for England. Also Read | Cricketer Involved in Most Run-Outs Across All Formats Conclusion The legacies of all these Greatest ODI All-Rounders of All Time extend much beyond their stupendous stats. Each brought something unique that helped shape cricket today – from Jayasuriya's path-breaking style of opening batting to Shakib's consistency in all aspects of the game.Their ability to win matches in multiple ways has set standards for future generations. The best part about these players is that they are not only masters of themselves, but their skill set evolved to meet the needs of their team under different times and situations. With cricket continuing to evolve, their achievement is a benchmark for aspiring all-rounders, a reminder that bat-and-ball domination is cricket's biggest challenge.