5 most genuine ODI-only players of all time

Players need talent, temperament, technique, and consistency to excel in any sport. Cricket is no exception. Nowadays cricket is played across three formats—T20, ODI and Test matches. There are several players who play in the all the three formats while some only find success in one or two. This is because of the absence or presence of the skills mentioned above.

Players like VVS Laxman and Justin Langer have performed well in the test matches but failed in the ODI matches. They did not score runs faster and lacked innovative stroke play to adjust to ODI format.

Similarly, there have been several players who excelled in ODI but could not succeed in test matches. Here, we discuss five such players from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia who have excelled in ODI only.

#1 Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj made his debut in the Indian ODI team at the start of the millennium. He was a destructive batsman. He played 304 ODI matches and scored 8701 runs at an average of 36.54. One of his memorable innings was against England in Cuttack where he scored 150 runs off 127 balls. Singh also led India to a famous victory against England in 2002. He fought cancer and made a comeback into the Indian Team.

Yuvraj played 40 Test matches, but only scored 1900 runs. He had a lot of talent but lacked consistency which is why he failed in test matches.

#2. Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi

Shahid was the captain of Pakistan. He made his debut in ODI vs. Kenya in 1996. He played 398 One-day matches. Afridi scored 8064 runs at an average of 23.57. He was the youngest person in cricket history to score a century in ODI. Afridi also broke the record of the fastest century in his first ODI match. They knew him for big hitting and destructive batting. He was also a useful bowler who could bowl perfect googly and leg-breaks.

Shahid only played 27 tests and scored 1716 runs. Being a gifted player, he could have done more in test matches.

#3 Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga

Lasith made his ODI debut against UAE in 2004. Malinga derived a lot of pace and swing due to his action. He played 204 ODI matches and took 301 wickets at an average of 28.92. Lasith retired from test matches in 2011 to extend his career in ODI and T20.

Malinga ended his test career by taking 101 wickets in 30 matches. Given his natural ability, he could have done more in the longer version of the game. Some experts say his bowling action was unsuitable for test matches.

#4 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma

Rohit made his debut in 2007 against Ireland. He played 181 one-day matches and scored 6730 runs at an average of 45.47. He destroyed bowlers with his timing and perfect stroke play. One of his best innings was 264 not out against Sri Lanka in 2014 where he scored 264 runs off 171 balls. This included 33 fours and 9 sixes.

He played 25 Tests and scored 1479 runs, which is dismal by any standard. The reason he could not excel in test matches was the lack of temperament and consistency.

#5 Michael Bevan

Bevan jubilant after scoring a century

Michael made his test and ODI debut in 1994. He played 232 ODI matches and scored 6912 runs at an average of 53.58. Bevan led Australia in many wins. He contributed to the Australian side through his bowling. I recall one of his innings against South Africa in 1997, where he scored 103 off 93 balls and won the match for Australia.

The reason he failed in Test matches was his weakness against short-pitched deliveries. He only played 18 Tests and scored 785 runs at an average of 29.07.