Mumbai, India — May 31, 2026
Greatest Cricketers of the 21st Century: Jacques Kallis Tops Elite List, Virat Kohli Ranks Third
Greatest Cricketers of the 21st Century have been selected by a distinguished panel of former players and cricket experts, with South African legend Jacques Kallis emerging as the top-ranked male international cricketer of the modern era.
The rankings, released by ESPNcricinfo and based on performances between 2000 and 2025, also recognized India’s Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest batter of the century and Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan as the greatest bowler. In women’s cricket, Australian superstar Ellyse Perry received the highest honor as the most outstanding international cricketer of the 21st century.
The selection was conducted by a 25-member jury featuring some of cricket’s most respected names, including former players, captains, coaches, and commentators from around the world.
Jacques Kallis Named the Greatest Cricketer of the Century
Widely regarded as one of cricket’s finest all-rounders, Jacques Kallis secured the No. 1 position in the overall rankings thanks to his remarkable contributions with both bat and ball.
Kallis scored 13,289 Test runs and claimed 292 wickets during a career that spanned nearly two decades. His consistency played a major role in South Africa’s rise to the top of the ICC Test rankings under former captain Graeme Smith.
Following the announcement, Kallis reflected on some of the most memorable moments of his career, highlighting South Africa’s historic Test series victories in Australia and England among his proudest achievements.
He also described his unbeaten 201 against India at Centurion in 2010 as one of the finest innings of his career and recalled his maiden Test century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1997 as a defining moment.
Sachin Tendulkar Honored as Century’s Greatest Batter
Few players have influenced cricket as profoundly as Sachin Tendulkar.
The Indian icon remains the leading run-scorer in both Test and One-Day International cricket and holds numerous batting records, including the most centuries and half-centuries in Test cricket.
His extraordinary consistency across formats made him the unanimous choice for the title of the greatest batter of the 21st century.
Tendulkar’s impact extended beyond statistics, inspiring an entire generation of cricketers and fans around the globe.
Muralitharan Recognized as the Greatest Bowler
Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan was selected as the greatest bowler of the century.
Muralitharan retired from Test cricket in 2010 with an unprecedented 800 wickets, a record that still stands today. His career bowling average remained below 23, underlining his dominance over batters across conditions and continents.
His contributions were instrumental in transforming Sri Lanka into one of the strongest cricketing nations during the 2000s.
Virat Kohli Secures a Place in the Top Three
Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli was ranked third among the greatest male international cricketers of the 21st century.
Kohli’s achievements across formats, his leadership success, and his remarkable consistency earned him a place behind only Kallis and Tendulkar.
The modern-day legend remains one of the most influential figures in world cricket and the highest-ranked active Indian player on the list.
Top 10 Greatest Male International Cricketers of the 21st Century
| Rank | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jacques Kallis |
| 2 | Sachin Tendulkar |
| 3 | Virat Kohli |
| 4 | Muttiah Muralitharan |
| 5 | Ricky Ponting |
| 6 | AB de Villiers |
| 7 | Kumar Sangakkara |
| 8 | Dale Steyn |
| 9 | Joe Root |
| 10 | Steve Smith |
Complete Top 25 Rankings
The prestigious list also included Adam Gilchrist, Rahul Dravid, James Anderson, MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Kane Williamson, Mitchell Starc, Chris Gayle, Ben Stokes, Pat Cummins, Mahela Jayawardene, Virender Sehwag, Kevin Pietersen, Stuart Broad, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Notably, active players such as Joe Root, Steve Smith, Jasprit Bumrah, Kane Williamson, Mitchell Starc, Ben Stokes, and Pat Cummins continue to build on already remarkable careers.
AB de Villiers and Jasprit Bumrah Dominate T20 Honors
Separate awards were also announced for T20 cricket’s greatest performers of the century.
Former South African captain AB de Villiers was named the greatest T20 batter of the 21st century. Renowned for his innovation and versatility, De Villiers scored nearly 9,500 T20 runs while maintaining a strike rate of approximately 150.
His performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL helped establish him as one of the format’s most entertaining and impactful players.
India’s Jasprit Bumrah was selected as the greatest T20 bowler of the century. Bumrah has been a key figure in India’s T20 World Cup successes and Mumbai Indians’ IPL dominance.
With 349 wickets in 283 T20 matches and an economy rate below seven, Bumrah’s consistency and effectiveness earned widespread recognition from the voting panel.
Greatest T20 Players of the 21st Century
| Honor | Winner |
| Greatest T20 Batter | AB de Villiers |
| Greatest T20 Bowler | Jasprit Bumrah |
Ellyse Perry Named Women’s Cricket’s Greatest Star
Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry was recognized as the greatest female international cricketer of the century.
Reflecting on her career, Perry identified Australia’s victory in the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup final as her most cherished moment, describing it as a landmark occasion for the growth of women’s cricket worldwide.
She also highlighted memorable Ashes performances against England, particularly her match-winning bowling display in Canterbury in 2015.
How the Selection Was Made
The process began with a longlist of more than 70 players. Based on statistical achievements, impact, longevity, and overall influence on the game, the list was narrowed to 30 candidates.
A 25-member jury featuring cricket legends such as Ajit Agarkar, Wasim Akram, Ian Bishop, Mark Boucher, Faf du Plessis, Aaron Finch, Andy Flower, Matthew Hayden, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Shastri, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori, and Shane Watson then submitted their rankings.
The final results were compiled from those votes to determine the greatest cricketers of the 21st century.
Legacy Beyond Numbers
The rankings celebrate more than statistics. They recognize players who shaped eras, inspired future generations, and redefined excellence on the cricket field.
From Kallis’ all-round brilliance and Tendulkar’s unmatched consistency to Muralitharan’s record-breaking wickets and Kohli’s modern-day dominance, the list serves as a tribute to the icons who have defined cricket in the 21st century.
