Top 10 Cricket All-Rounders Of All Time Till 2023 

In the illustrious history of cricket, there have been exceptional players who have mastered both batting and bowling, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. These true all-rounders have the ability to single-handedly influence the outcome of matches. Here is a list of the top 10 cricket all-rounders in history, focusing on their Test match performances.

10. Hardik Pandya:

Hardik Pandya is a dynamic Indian all-rounder, known for his explosive batting and lively pace bowling. With consistently high-speed deliveries and the ability to turn matches around with his aggressive style, Pandya is a valuable asset for India in all formats. His athleticism in the field further enhances his game-changing potential. Despite being early in his career, Pandya's promise and potential to become one of cricket's top all-rounders are evident.

9. Tony Greig:

Tony Greig, a South African-born English cricketer, played 58 Tests for England in the 1970s. He was primarily known as a batting all-rounder with an average of 40.43 and the ability to bowl both medium-pace and off-break. His versatile skills earned him a place in many teams as a specialist batsman.

8. Kapil Dev:

   Regarded as India's greatest all-rounder ever, Kapil Dev enjoyed a stellar Test career spanning 16 years. He was a consistent bowler and a hard-hitting batsman. Dev became just the second bowler in the history of the game to take 400 wickets, finishing with 434 wickets at an average of 29.64.

7. Shaun Pollock:

   Shaun Pollock, one of South Africa's great cricketers, was a bowling all-rounder who was consistently among the world's most reliable bowlers. He took 421 wickets at 23.11 and was known for his economy, making it difficult for batsmen to score against him. As a batsman, he made valuable contributions, though he struggled to convert starts into big scores.

6. Ian Botham:

   Ian Botham, an English cricket legend of the 1980s, is best remembered for his Ashes heroics in 1981. He had an average of 33.54 with the bat and took 383 wickets at 28.40. Botham's impact transcended statistics, as he was a key figure in reviving English cricket during his era.

5. Richard Hadlee:

   New Zealand's greatest cricketer, Richard Hadlee, was a game-changer for his team. As a bowler, he took 431 wickets at an average of 22.29, excelling in swinging the ball. He was also a valuable lower-order batsman, averaging 27.16, and capable of providing crucial runs.

4. Keith Miller:

   Keith Miller was Australia's post-war era all-rounder, known for his dynamic contributions with both bat and ball. With 170 wickets at an average of 22.97 and 2958 runs at 36.97, Miller's versatility and impact on the game are unquestionable.

3. Imran Khan:

   A true champion and undoubtedly Pakistan's finest cricketer ever, Imran Khan finds himself at No. 3 in the list of all-time great all-rounders. As a bowler, he's best remembered, for taking 362 test wickets at an average of 22.81. He was a genuine quick and opened the bowling for Pakistan for many years. His batting became more prominent as his career progressed, showcasing his versatility.

2. Jacques Kallis:

   Jacques Kallis stands as the most excellent modern-era all-rounder, boasting an incredible batting average of 57.02, including 41 centuries, and 274 wickets at 32.51. His classical batting set him apart from most all-rounders, making him a formidable force in international cricket.

1. Garfield Sobers

   As great as the rest of the players on this list were, few would dispute that Garfield Sobers is the greatest all-rounder of all time. Like Kallis, Miller, and Khan, he was a true all-rounder, a threat with both bat and ball. But what really sets Sobers apart from the rest is the fact that he was essentially three players rolled into one, rather than the two most all-rounders can claim to be. His incredible batting average of 57.78, along with his 235 wickets at an average of 34.03, makes him the ultimate cricket all-rounder. Sobers' exceptional all-round skills, combined with his fielding prowess and leadership as captain, make him the ultimate cricket all-rounder.