Famous 21st Century Cricketers

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Find out more about the greatest 21st Century Cricketers, including Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and AB de Villiers.
Vote for Your Favourite 21st Century Cricketers
 1 
Virat Kohli
(Indian International Cricketer Who is Considered as One of the Greatest Batsmen of All Time)
Virat Kohli
104
Birthdate: November 5, 1988
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: New Delhi, India

Counted amongst world’s best batsmen, Virat Kohli is the former captain of Indian national cricket team. Under his captaincy, Indian cricket rose to great heights and he is the most successful Indian Test captain till date. He shot to fame when he led India’s Under-19 team to victory at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup. Since then, Virat Kohli has proved his talent in all forms of the game.

 2 
Sachin Tendulkar
(One of the Greatest Batsmen in the History of Cricket)
Sachin Tendulkar
54
Birthdate: April 24, 1973
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Often referred to as the God of Cricket in India, Sachin Tendulkar is a retired cricketer. Also known for his humility on and off the field, Sachin is one of the most revered, celebrated, and decorated cricketers. Considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time, Sachin Tendulkar played a key role in turning India into a cricket-frenzy nation.

 3 
M. S. Dhoni
(Cricketer)
M. S. Dhoni
50
Birthdate: July 7, 1981
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Former Indian international cricketer M. S. Dhoni captained the Indian national team from 2007 to 2016. He played as a right-handed middle-order batsman and wicket-keeper. With more than 10,000 runs scored, he is one of the highest run-scorers in One Day Internationals (ODIs). He also became the first wicket-keeper to effect 100 stumpings in ODI cricket.

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 4 
Imran Khan
(22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan and Former Cricket Captain)
Imran Khan
20
Birthdate: October 5, 1952
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Imran Khan is the former Prime Minister of Pakistan who was in office from 2018 to 2022. He is also the founder and chairman of the political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Before making an entry into politics, Imran Khan was an extremely popular international cricketer who led Pakistan to its first ever Cricket World Cup title in 1992. As a philanthropist, he established Pakistan’s first cancer hospital in Lahore.

 5 
Kapil Dev
(Indian Former Cricketer and One of the Sport’s Greatest All-Rounders)
Kapil Dev
30
Birthdate: January 6, 1959
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Chandigarh, India
Kapil Dev is a former Indian all-rounder who captained India to its first Cricket World Cup win, in 1983. He started his career at 16, playing for Haryana. Wisden’s Indian Cricketer of the Century became the first cricketer to take 400 Test wickets and also scored 5,000 Test runs
 6 
Rahul Dravid
(Indian Cricket Coach and Former Captain of the Indian National Team)
Rahul Dravid
6
Birthdate: January 11, 1973
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India

Nicknamed The Wall for his resilient batting in Test cricket, Rahul Dravid was known for his unmatched concentration. He was selected for the Indian cricket squad while pursuing his MBA. Apart from winning the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, he has also been named to the ICC Hall of Fame.

 7 
Mithali Raj
(Cricketer)
Mithali Raj
10
Birthdate: December 3, 1982
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Jodhpur
 8 
Ravichandran Ashwin
(Indian International Cricketer Who Plays as a Bowling All-Rounder)
Ravichandran Ashwin
11
Birthdate: September 17, 1985
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

One of the best all-rounders of the Indian cricket team, Ravichandran Ashwin is best known for popularizing the soduku ball technique. He is also the only bowler apart from Sri Lankan Ajantha Mendis to bowl the carrom ball. The Arjuna Award winner is the son of a Chennai-based cricketer.

 9 
Wasim Akram
(Cricketer)
Wasim Akram
20
Birthdate: June 3, 1966
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Lahore

Wasim Akram is a Pakistani former cricketer, cricket commentator, and coach. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. He is counted amongst the finest exponents of reverse swing bowling. He became a commentator and coach following his retirement as a player. He is a recipient of the Pakistan Government’s Hilal-e-Imtiaz award. 

 10 
AB de Villiers
(Former South African International Cricketer)
AB de Villiers
20
Birthdate: February 17, 1984
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Warmbad, Transvaal Province, South Africa

AB de Villiers, also known as “Mr. 360” and “Superman,” has captained the South African cricket team in Tests, ODIs, and T20s. Named the ICC ODI Player of the Year thrice, the Wisden "cricketer of the decade" is a devout Christian, has written an autobiography, and released a pop album.

 11 
Virender Sehwag
(Cricketer)
Virender Sehwag
8
Birthdate: October 20, 1978
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Delhi

Born to a flour mill owner, Virender Sehwag convinced his family to let him learn cricket since he wasn’t good in academics. He later grew up to be an aggressive batsman, breaking many records. He’s one of two people with a double hundred in ODI and a triple hundred in Test cricket.

 12 
Harbhajan Singh
(Indian Retired Cricketer, Commentator and One of the Best Spinners of His Era)
Harbhajan Singh
13
Birthdate: July 3, 1980
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Jalandhar, Punjab, India

Harbhajan Singh is an Indian professional cricket player. He was part of Indian cricket teams which won the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. Renowned for his aggressive persona and style of play, Harbhajan Singh is considered one of the greatest Indian off-spin bowlers of all time. In 2009, he was honored with the Padma Shri award. 

 13 
Hashim Amla
(Cricketer)
Hashim Amla
15
Birthdate: March 31, 1983
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Durban, South Africa

One of the best ODI bastmen in the world, South African cricketer Hashim Amla has made many records, from being the fastest to reach 20 ODI centuries to being the fourth player to score centuries against all Test-playing nations. He was also the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2013.

 14 
Shane Warne
(Former Australian Cricketer, Widely Regarded as the Greatest Leg Spinner in the History of Cricket)
Shane Warne
6
Birthdate: September 13, 1969
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Victoria, Australia
Died: March 4, 2022

Shane Warne was a former Australian cricket player, best known for his leg-break bowling. Widely regarded as one of the greatest spin bowlers of all time, Warne was the second-highest wicket-taker in test cricket. He was also one of the most controversial cricketers. In 2013, Shane Warne was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

 15 
Chris Gayle
(One of the Greatest and Most Destructive Batsmen To Have Played Twenty20 Cricket)
Chris Gayle
22
Birthdate: September 21, 1979
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica

Known as the most capped West Indian player in international cricket, Chris Gayle is also the only player with a triple hundred in Tests, a double century in ODIs, and a century in T20Is. Breaking Brian Lara's record of 10,348 runs, he became the leading West Indian ODI run-scorer.

 16 
Steve Smith
(Australian Cricketer Who is Considered One of the Best Batsmen of His Generation)
Steve Smith
13
Birthdate: June 2, 1989
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kogarah, Australia

Australian cricketer Steve Smith captained the Australian Test team and also tied with Garry Sobers when he made a record 6,000 Test runs in 111 innings, the second-best after Donald Bradman. The Allan Border Medal-winning batsman was banned from Australian cricket for a year for overseeing ball tampering.

 17 
Dale Steyn
(Cricketer)
Dale Steyn
15
Birthdate: June 27, 1983
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Phalaborwa

The son of a mine worker, South African fast bowler Dale Steyn is known for his mercurial on-field persona and for his swing and speed. He has many accolades to his credit, such as the Wisden Cricketer of the Year. He also topped the ICC Test rankings for 263 weeks.

 18 
Jacques Kallis
(Cricketer)
Jacques Kallis
13
Birthdate: October 16, 1975
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

One of the best all-rounders the world has ever seen, South African cricketer Jacques Kallis was known for his signature cover drive throughout his career. He remains the only cricketer to score over 10,000 runs and take more than 250 wickets in both ODI and Test cricket.

 19 
Anil Kumble
(Cricketer)
Anil Kumble
13
Birthdate: October 17, 1970
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
 20 
Ellyse Perry
(Australian Sportswoman Who Has Represented Her Country in Cricket and Football)
Ellyse Perry
6
Birthdate: November 3, 1990
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Wahroonga, Australia
Ellyse Perry has represented Australia in both cricket and soccer. She became the youngest Australian sportsperson to play international cricket and the first to appear in both the FIFA and ICC World Cups. She later drifted to cricket and set records for the highest Test score by an Australian female.
 21 
Kane Williamson
(New Zealand Cricketer and All Time Leading Runscorer for New Zealand in Test Cricket)
Kane Williamson
7
Birthdate: August 8, 1990
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Tauranga, New Zealand
New Zealand national cricket team captain Kane Williamson became the only New Zealander on ICC’s Test team of the decade and led his country to the finals of the 2019 Cricket World Cup. By 2020, he had been named the world’s top Test batsman, with a batting rating of 890. 
 22 
Adam Gilchrist
(Australian Former International Cricketer and Captain)
Adam Gilchrist
10
Birthdate: November 14, 1971
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Bellingen, Australia
 23 
Brian Lara
(One of the Greatest Batsmen of All Time)
Brian Lara
7
Birthdate: May 2, 1969
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Santa Cruz, Trinidad and Tobago
Legendary Trinidadian cricketer Brian Lara, also known as "The Prince of Port of Spain,” is considered one of the greatest batsmen in history. His 501 not out for Warwickshire in 1994 remains the only quintuple-hundred in first-class cricket. He has also been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
 24 
Sunil Gavaskar
(One of the Greatest Opening Batsmen of All Time)
Sunil Gavaskar
11
Birthdate: July 10, 1949
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Mumbai, India

Sunil Gavaskar is an Indian former professional cricket player who represented the national team during the 1970s and 1980s. Considered one of the greatest batsmen in Test cricket history, Sunil Gavaskar was the first batsman to score over 10,000 runs in Test cricket. He also set many world records and held the record for most Test centuries for nearly 20 years.

 25 
Inzamam-ul-Haq
(Cricketer)
Inzamam-ul-Haq
5
Birthdate: March 3, 1970
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Multan

Inzamam-ul-Haq is a Pakistani former professional cricketer. During his career, he was the leading run-scorer for Pakistan in one-day internationals. He is also the only Pakistani batsman to score 20,000 runs in the international cricket arena. He captained the Pakistan national cricket team for a few years. He became a coach after retiring.  

 26 
Waqar Younis
(Former Cricket bowler)
Waqar Younis
9
Birthdate: November 16, 1971
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Vehari, Pakistan

Waqar Younis is a Pakistani former cricketer, commentator, and coach. During his playing career, he captained the Pakistan national cricket team. He played as a right-arm fast bowler and is still counted amongst the greatest bowlers to have played the game. He became a coach after his retirement and was once the head coach of the Pakistani cricket team. 

 27 
Ricky Ponting
(Australian Former Cricketer Regarded as One of the Best Batsmen of the Modern Era)
Ricky Ponting
4
Birthdate: December 19, 1974
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

Ricky Ponting is an Australian retired cricket player best known for his abilities as a batsman, fielder, and captain. Widely regarded as one of the modern-time greats, Ponting is the leading run-scorer for Australia in Test and ODI cricket. Ponting captained the Australian Test team between 2004 and 2011 and is considered one of the most successful cricket captains of all time.

 28 
Sir Garfield Sobers
(One of the finest all-rounders in cricket)
Sir Garfield Sobers
4
Birthdate: July 28, 1936
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bridgetown, Barbados

Sir Garfield Sobers is a former cricket player who represented the West Indies cricket team during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Renowned for his all-round abilities, Sobers is regarded as the greatest all-rounder of all time. He is also considered one of the greatest cricketers ever. In 2009, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

 29 
James Anderson
(English International Cricketer and One of the Greatest Swing Bowlers in the History of Cricket)
James Anderson
12
Birthdate: July 30, 1982
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Burnley, Lancashire, England
 30 
Curtly Ambrose
(One of the Greatest Fast Bowlers of All Time)
Curtly Ambrose
9
Birthdate: September 21, 1963
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Swetes, Antigua and Barbuda

Curtly Ambrose is a former cricketer who represented the West Indies cricket team in Test and ODI matches. Renowned for his pace and accuracy, Ambrose is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers ever. In 2011, he was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.

 31 
Shikhar Dhawan
(Indian Cricketer)
Shikhar Dhawan
10
Birthdate: December 5, 1985
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New Delhi, India

Shikhar Dhawan is an Indian cricket player and one of the most important members of the current Indian cricket team. Known for his successful innings in ICC Tournaments, Dhawan helped India win their second ICC Champions Trophy, in 2013; he was the highest run-scorer in the tournament. He has also been an important player in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

 32 
Javed Miandad
(Cricketer)
Javed Miandad
6
Birthdate: June 12, 1957
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Karachi
Javed Miandad is a Pakistani former cricketer. During his playing career, he was touted to be the “greatest batsman Pakistan has ever produced.” He also captained his team and was known for his unconventional style of captaincy. He had an unusually long playing career spanning almost two decades. He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009. 
 33 
Suresh Raina
(Indian Former International Cricketer)
Suresh Raina
11
Birthdate: November 27, 1986
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Muradnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India

Known for his aggressive batting, Indian middle-order batsman Suresh Raina is also a phenomenal fielder. He was part of India’s 2011 World Cup squad and became the first Indian cricketer with a century in all forms of international cricket. He retired in 2020 but will continue to play IPL matches.

 34 
Rohit Sharma
(Indian Cricketer Who Holds the World Record for the Highest Individual Score in ODIs)
Rohit Sharma
29
Birthdate: April 30, 1988
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Indian right-handed batsman Rohit Sharma is also the vice-captain in the limited-overs format. One of the few cricketers to score a century in all three formats, he is also the first player with two ODI double centuries. He is WWF-India’a Rhino Ambassador and works for PETA’s campaigns for street animals.

 35 
Martin Crowe
(One of the New Zealand’s Greatest Batsmen)
Martin Crowe
6
Birthdate: September 22, 1962
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Henderson, New Zealand
Died: March 3, 2016

Martin Crowe was a New Zealand cricket player who captained the national Test and ODI teams. Counted among the greatest batsmen New Zealand has ever produced, Crowe was the highest run-scorer for New Zealand in Test and One Day International cricket at the time of his retirement in 1995. Martin Crowe served as a commentator after retiring as a player.

 36 
Joe Root
(English International Cricketer and One of the Great Batsmen of the Modern Era)
Joe Root
5
Birthdate: December 30, 1990
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
 37 
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
(Cricketer)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
4
Birthdate: August 16, 1974
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Unity Village, Guyana
 38 
Courtney Walsh
(Cricketer)
Courtney Walsh
4
Birthdate: October 30, 1962
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kingston

Courtney Walsh is a Jamaican former cricketer who played for the West Indies cricket team from 1984 to 2001. Considered one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, Walsh became the first bowler to take 500 Test wickets before finishing his career with 519 wickets. Walsh was made an inductee of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2010.

 39 
Graeme Smith
(Former Opening batsman cricketer)
Graeme Smith
4
Birthdate: February 1, 1981
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa

South African former cricketer Graeme Smith was once nicknamed Biff for often smashing the leather off the cricket balls. At 22, he was the youngest captain of his national cricket team. He was also known for his legendary opening partnerships with Herschelle Gibbs. Post-retirement, he works as a commentator.

 40 
Sunil Narine
(cricketer)
Sunil Narine
8
Birthdate: May 26, 1988
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Arima
 41 
Shaun Pollock
(Cricketer)
Shaun Pollock
5
Birthdate: July 16, 1973
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Port Elizabeth

Born into a family of renowned cricketers, Shaun Pollock was the son of Peter Pollock and the nephew of Graeme Pollock. One of the best medium pace bowlers of South Africa, he was pushed into captaincy when Hansie Cronje got entangled in a match-fixing scandal in 2000.

 42 
Michael Hussey
(Former Australian Cricketer Who Played As A Batsman)
Michael Hussey
5
Birthdate: May 27, 1975
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Mount Lawley, Australia
 43 
Rod Marsh
(Australian Cricketer Who Played as a Wicketkeeper)
Rod Marsh
3
Birthdate: November 4, 1947
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Armadale
Died: March 4, 2022
 44 
Dennis Lillee
(Australian Retired Cricketer Rated as the “Outstanding Fast Bowler of His Generation”)
Dennis Lillee
4
Birthdate: July 18, 1949
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Subiaco, Australia
 45 
Usman Khawaja
(Pakistan-Born Australian Batter)
Usman Khawaja
4
Birthdate: December 18, 1986
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Islamabad, Pakistan

Usman Khawaja is an Australian professional cricket player who has represented the Australian men's cricket team in Test, One Day International, and Twenty20 cricket. In 2011, he became the first Pakistani-born player and the first Muslim to play for the Australian Test team. He went on to represent Australia at the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

 46 
Jonny Bairstow
(English Wicketkeeper-Batter)
Jonny Bairstow
7
Birthdate: September 26, 1989
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
 47 
Brendon McCullum
(Cricketer)
Brendon McCullum
4
Birthdate: September 27, 1981
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dunedin

Brendon McCullum is a New Zealand former cricket player who captained the national team in all formats of the game. Renowned for his ability to score runs quickly, McCullum is regarded as one of the most successful captains of the national cricket team. Brendon McCullum is currently associated with the England cricket test team where he is the head coach. 

 48 
Mohammad Azharuddin
(Former Indian International Cricketer Who Played as a Batsman)
Mohammad Azharuddin
12
Birthdate: February 8, 1963
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
Mohammad Azharuddin, also known as Azhar, was the captain of the Indian cricket team for much of the 1990s. He made headlines for his affair with actor-model Sangeeta Bijlani, which later culminated in marriage. He was later banned from cricket for match-fixing. He also became an Indian National Congress MP.
 49 
Ben Stokes
(One of the Best Cricket All Rounders in the World)
Ben Stokes
8
Birthdate: June 4, 1991
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Christchurch, New Zealand

Ben Stokes is an English cricketer. Considered one of the most important players in all three formats of the game, Stokes was honored with the ICC Award for Best Men's Cricketer in 2019. In 2019 and 2020, he was adjudged the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World. Ben Stokes is currently serving as the captain of the England Test team.

 50 
Allan Border
(Former Australian Cricket Team Captain and Outstanding Left-Hand Batsman)
Allan Border
4
Birthdate: July 27, 1955
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Cremorne, Australia

Legendary Australian cricketer Allan Border, also popularly known as AB, remains to be regarded as one of the best batsmen the game has ever had. Under his captaincy, Australia didn’t just win a World Cup but also brought back the Ashes in 1989. He is also one of Australia’s 100 National Living Treasures.