ICC Hall Of Fame: Eligibility Criteria For Batters, Bowlers And Captains

Indian cricket legend and former India captain MS Dhoni has been officially inducted into the highly acclaimed ICC Hall of Fame by the International Cricket Council. The honor, awarded on June 9, 2025, makes Dhoni the 11th Indian cricket player to be honored with this recognition.

MS Dhoni’s international cricket achievements 

Led India to the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy titles.

He was the first and currently the only captain to have won the three ICC white-ball competitions without the help of an associate nation.

Retired from international cricket in 2020, and after five years, he met the qualification requirements to be inducted.

Eligibility: ICC Hall of Fame Selection Criteria Explained

To be eligible for the ICC Hall of Fame, cricketers have to satisfy demanding criteria both in terms of performance and contribution to the game. The following are the central eligibility criteria:

General Eligibility:

Minimum 5 years of retirement from international cricket.

For Batters:

Minimum 8,000 runs and 20 centuries in Test or ODI cricket

OR

A batting average of 50 or more across any international format

For Bowlers:

At least 200 wickets in Tests or ODIs

A bowling strike rate of less than 50 in Tests and less than 30 in ODIs is needed.

For Wicketkeepers:

At least 200 dismissals (catches/stumpings) in Test or ODI format

For Captains:

Should have captained in 25 Tests or 100 ODIs

A win rate of less than 50% or more in either or both formats

Exceptional Contributions Also Honored

In some instances, those who might not qualify statistically but have otherwise made outstanding contributions to cricket can also be included. They are:

Legendary players with iconic impact

Umpires, administrators, or those with major roles in developing the game

Selection Process: ICC Hall of Fame Induction

The induction of candidates into the ICC Hall of Fame is managed by a devoted panel consisting of:

Current ICC Hall of Famers

Senior ICC officials

Media personnel

Members of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA)

New inductees are usually announced at major ICC events like the ICC Awards or the World Test Championship Finals. The inductees are given a Hall of Fame cap, either in person or posthumously through family.

List of Indian Cricketers in the ICC Hall of Fame

 

Prestige and Performance Define ICC Hall of Fame Eligibility

The Eligibility, ICC Hall of Fame criteria guarantee that only the most worthy individuals are inducted. Regardless of whether it is world-class statistics, superior leadership, or revolutionary contributions towards the sport, being inducted is an indication of cricketing excellence.

With MS Dhoni becoming a part of this exclusive club in 2025, it highlights the legacy he left behind, not only as a player or captain but as an international cricket icon.

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