Image Credit: twitter.com/@ICC
The smallest cricket format has been increasingly popular over time, rendering discussion of the longer formats all but irrelevant. The 50 over format (ODI) has kept its standing despite the global appeal of shorter formats. The batsmen have been given more freedom and flexibility whereas the bowlers haven’t had as many luxuries. Even though cricket has made great progress in the modern era, several records still stand that may be difficult to beat. One of those records will be the batter with the most ODI half-centuries. In the modern era, a terrible series may end a batsman’s career. The top 10 ODI batsmen in terms of half-centuries are shown below.
- Sachin Tendulkar – 96
The Indian legend is hailed as one of the best batsmen in history, and his numbers support this claim. The player with the most half-centuries in ODI cricket, without a doubt, is Sachin Tendulkar. He is the only cricketer to have 100 international hundreds. Over the course of his ODI career, Sachin scored 96 half-centuries.
Advertisement
- Kumar Sangakkara – 93
Kumar Sangakkara, one of the most elegant left-handers in the game, had a successful international career. The former Sri Lankan cricketer is second all-time in ODI run scoring with 14234 runs scored at an average of 41.9. His total of 93 fifties in ODI cricket is second-most. He served as the foundation of his country’s lineup.
- Jacques Kallis – 86
Jacques Kallis had a tremendous career for South Africa and is unquestionably the best all-arounder the world has ever seen in all three formats combined. He is almost every team’s go-to player in ODI cricket thanks to his 273 wickets and 11579 runs. Kallis, who is third on the list, has 86 half-centuries to his name.
- Rahul Dravid – 83
Rahul Dravid was sometimes viewed as a player who wasn’t particularly suited to the demands of the 50-over game, but he eventually rose to become one of the finest. Dravid was able to silence many of his critics who had been complaining about his mediocre dominating abilities with 10889 runs at an average of 39.5.
- Inzamam-ul-Haq – 83
Advertisement
Inzamam-ul-Haq, one of Pakistan’s top batsmen, had a significant impact on his decision to serve as captain. The right-handed batter made his international debut at a fairly young age, scoring 11739 runs with an average of 39.53. With 83 fifties, he shares fourth place among batters with the most half-centuries.
- Ricky Ponting – 82
Ricky Ponting is the most successful captain in the history of the game. The former Australian batsman ranks third in ODI run scoring with 13704 runs at an average of 42.04. He was one of the all-time great pull shot players and had a wonderful career. Ponting finished with 30 ODI hundreds, and with 82 fifties, he is sixth among all-time half-centuries scorers.
- Mahela Jayawardene – 77
Mahela Jayawardene was very classy, and his game primarily relied on his excellent touch. The former Sri Lankan skipper participated in the second-most ODI games and scored 12650 runs in 448 games. When it comes to international ODI players, Jayawardene ranks eighth with 77 half-centuries.
- MS Dhoni – 73
MS Dhoni, one of the greatest finishers in history, is considered as a titan of the 50-over game. In 350 ODIs, Dhoni averaged over 50, went undefeated 84 times, and amassed more over 10,000 runs. He was always willing to carry the team’s load and a match-winner. He was the batsman with the eighth-highest number of ODI half-centuries (73).
- Sourav Ganguly – 72
Sourav Ganguly inaugurated India’s period of domination across all formats, and his leadership will be remembered forever. He led India to the 2003 World Cup finals and was one of the best Indian openers in the 50-over format. For 11363 total runs over 311 ODI matches, Ganguly averaged 41.02 runs. He finished with 72 half-centuries in the 50 over format, which is the ninth-most.
- Sanath Jayasuriya – 68
One of the most aggressive batsmen in ODI cricket, Sanath Jayasuriya has the power to completely change the course of a match. With 13430 runs, the former Sri Lankan left-hander ended a more than 20-year international cricket career. The tenth-highest total of any batsman is held by Jayasuriya, who has 68 half-centuries in 50 overs.
Advertisement
