Most Number of ODIs, here is a list of the top six players who have played the most ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar currently holds this record, having played 463 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in his career.
This list will be difficult to penetrate because the number of ODI matches played these days is much lower than it was previously, and the number of great teams that used to play the 50 overs format of the game is much lower. Hopefully, the allure of the limited overs game returns because it is extremely entertaining, and we are a huge fan of this format.
It is unsurprising that the Top 5 Players with the most ODI matches played are Asians, as we Asians loved playing the ODI format of the game when all teams were equal and the ODI cricket scene revolved around Asia and Australia, and seeing great quality batters and bowlers go at it for 50 overs and showing the world all their class and skills was a joy to witness, which is missing in today’s times as the level of the teams is not as good and So, let’s take a look at the Top 6 Players in terms of ODI Matches played.
ODI Cricket
Sachin Tendulkar (463 ODI Matches Played)
This is one of Sachin Tendulkar’s records that will likely never be broken because this number of matches played is unheard of, especially in these days when players prefer to play test or T20I cricket and ODI cricket does not appeal to them, but with the 2023 World Cup approaching, hopefully more and more ODIs will be played. Sachin Tendulkar played these many ODIs while playing at the top for over 22 years and scoring runs and runs for India, and he is also our all-time favourite cricketer. The thrill of watching Sachin Tendulkar bat was unrivalled. Without a doubt, the GOAT of one-day international cricket. In these many matches, he scored over 18000 ODI runs.
Mahela Jayawardene (448 ODI Matches Played)
The number two player on this list is Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene, who played only 15 ODI matches fewer than Sachin Tendulkar. When it came to batting, he was the Mr Dependable of Sri Lanka cricket, along with Kumar Sangakkara, and he scored more than 12500 runs to prove it. Mahela Jayawardene was the big match player for Sri Lanka, most famously scoring a brilliant century in the 2021 World Cup final, but India were too good on the day and easily chased down the target. He will be sorely missed in Sri Lankan cricket as a great leader and one of the best batters.
Sanath Jayasuriya (445 ODI Matches Played)
Another all-time Sri Lankan cricket great, this time as one of the best all-rounders to ever play for the country. This player is one of the very few who has scored more than 13000 ODI runs and taken more than 300 wickets, and this is what made him such a lethal player because the opposing team had no idea how to play against him, whether he was batting at his destructive best or bowling those left arm spinners and taking regular wickets. Sanath Jayasuriya also played the ODI format for 22 years, and we can see why: there was no other player like him.
Kumar Sangakkara (404 ODI Matches Played)
The third consecutive player from Sri Lanka, and this time it is the third player from the holy Trinity of Sri Lankan cricket’s greatest, with only Muthiah Muralidaran remaining from this list. Kumar Sangakkara was one of the most prolific run scorers in not just Sri Lankan cricket, but world cricket as a whole, scoring more than 14000 ODI runs and serving Sri Lankan cricket with great dignity and pride. He was also a great global ambassador for the game. I enjoyed watching him bat because he was the most refined and stylish player.
Shahid Afridi (398 ODI Matches Played)
Shahid Afridi of Pakistan is the fifth player on our list. He represented Pakistan in the same way that Sanath Jayasuriya represented Sri Lanka. When he was at his best, he was the most dangerous batter in the world, smashing bowlers for fun and hitting 45 ball ODI hundreds. Shahid Afridi was also a magician with the ball, taking 395 ODI wickets, a record, and scoring over 8000 runs for Pakistan. All of his teammates and fans referred to him as Lala, and he was also known as Book Boom Afridi because he always came out with the intention of hitting sixes.
Inzamam-ul-Haq (378 ODI Matches Played)
Inzamam-ul-Haq of Pakistan is the sixth and final player on our list. He represented Pakistan from 1991 to 2007. Inzamam-ul-Haq scored 11739 runs for Pakistan. As a cricketer for his team and nation, Inzamam-ul-Haq was a perfect blend of strength and subtlety. Power was unsurprising, but his sublime touch was exceptional for a man of his stature. He despised exercise and often appeared to be a passenger in the field, but a willow between his palms galvanised him. He hit shots all over the wicket, was particularly strong off his legs, and unleashed ferocious pulls and lofted drives. Imran Khan ranked him as the world’s best batsman against pace.
