Most Fifties in ODI: Sachin Tendulkar Tops the List

In the fast-paced game of cricket, every run holds the power to sway the outcome of an entire match in favor of a team or against it. Scoring fifties and centuries in ODIs is challenging yet rewarding, and the record for most fifties in ODIs is about the player’s ability, innate talents, and prowess in cricket. 

Notable players like Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting, and Virat Kohli have left their mark on the sport, earning top rankings for hitting the most fifties. While Indian players dominate the rankings, talented cricketers from other countries have also marked their presence felt.

Let’s skim through this piece to know in detail about the players that achieved the “Most fifties in ODIs” and their standout performances and accomplishments, which proved substantial for their respective teams.

Record For The Most Fifties In ODIs

Top 10 Players With the Most Fifties in ODIs

Sachin Tendulkar (1989-2012) 

Sachin Tendulkar, also known as “Master Blaster” is one of the best batsmen in the history of cricket.  Sachin Tendulkar is revered as the God of Cricket, first donned the Indian National Cricket Team jersey in 1989 and hung his boots in 2012 after playing 463 ODI matches for 23 years. He holds the record for the most fifties in ODIs – 96. Not just that, Tendulkar also holds the record for the most centuries registered in both Tests and ODIs. The legendary player also holds the record for the most runs scored in the history of ODIs with a staggering run of 18426 runs. He also set the record for most boundaries hit in One-Day International(ODI) matches with 2016 fours.  

Kumar Sangakkara (2000-2015)

Kumar Sangakkara,  the former Sri Lankan cricketer holds the record for the second-most fifties in the ODIs. One of the best wicket-keeper batsmen in the world, KC Sangakkara has hit 93 fifties in one-day internationals. The cricketer has also become the second-highest run-getter in ODI matches delivering 14234 runs, with a strike rate of 78.86. Sangakkara commenced his first match in 2000 and played 407 matches before retiring in 2015. In his cricket span of 15 years, he has hit 25 centuries in ODIs. 

Jacques Kallis (1996-2014)

Jacques Kallis is widely recognized as one of the finest cricketers of all time and one of the best all-rounders ever to play cricket. He is a former South African cricketer who holds the record for most fifties by a South African cricketer. Kallis has delivered 86 fifties in 328 ODIs at the strike rate of 72.89. Kallis also owns the record for the most ninety scored by South Africa in ODIs. The right-handed batter is also known for acquiring 17 centuries in the ODI matches.

Rahul Dravid (1996-2011)

Rahul Dravid played immensely well for the Indian National Cricket Team and is largely inspired by his outstanding batting technique. He is one of the legendary players India has produced and is commonly known as “Mr. Dependable” and “The Wall”. The iconic player made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 1996 and played his last ODI in 2011. During these years, he has played 344 matches and registered 10889 runs for the team. Dravid hit 83 fifties. He holds the highest ODI innings score of 153 runs.

Inzamam-ul-Haq (1991-2007)

Inzamam-ul-Haq, also known as Inzi is a former Pakistani cricketer who is considered one of the best batsmen Pakistan ever produced and one of the best middle-order batsmen of all time. Inzamam-ul-Haq scored 11739 runs in ODIs, the most by a Pakistani cricketer, and ranks seventh in the world. Inzamam played 378 ODI matches, hit 83 fifties and 10 centuries, and ranks 9th in the world in terms of most fifties in a career in ODI.

Ricky Ponting (1995-2012)

Ricky Ponting is Australia’s most run-scorer and a top fielder when it comes to ODI matches. Also known as “Punter”, Ponting has played for 17 years starting from 1995, and has played 375 ODI matches. The legendary player has a record of 82 fifties in one-day internationals. Not only this, he has scored 13704 runs and 30 centuries during this period in ODI cricket. The former player had an 80.39 strike rate, with 164 being his highest score in an innings.

Mahela Jayawardene (1998-2015)

Mahela Jayawardene, former Sri Lankan cricketer and captain has devoted 17 years of his life to cricket. Not only has he proved himself a calm but authoritative captain, but also a great batsman. The right-handed batter made his ODI debut in 1998 against Zimbabwe and is in the 7th position in the list of most fifties scored in ODI cricket history. He strikes 77 fifties in ODI matches. Jayawardene has played 448 ODI matches and scored 12650 runs and 19 centuries, with a strike rate of 78.96.  

Virat Kohli (2008-2024)

The next cricketer on this list is Virat Kohli from India. The player has earned the title of “King Kohli” for his ambition and dedication to the Indian National Cricket Team. In Kohli’s 16-year reign over the cricket world, he has played 295 ODIs with as many as 72 of those innings being fifties. He also holds the record for the highest number of hundreds scored in One-Day Internationals over the years. In addition, the player is also third on the list of the highest run scorers in the ODIs with 13906 runs. Kohli is among the greatest batsmen of all time, especially in the present times.

Sourav Ganguly (1992-2007)

Sourav Ganguly stands in ninth position in the most 50s in a career in ODI history. He is regarded as the most successful captain in Indian cricket history. Ganguly is popularly called the “Maharaja of Indian Cricket” and called “Dada” by his beloved one. Ganguly scored 11363 runs in his ODI career, which places him 9th in the world for the most runs scored in ODIs. In the ODI Cricket World Cup, he has the highest score (183) by an Indian batsman in one innings. Ganguly hit 72 fifties and 22 centuries in ODIs.

Sanath Jayasuriya (1989-2011)

Sanath Jayasuriya, another Sri Lankan cricketer holds the record for the most fifties in ODI history, with 68. Jayasuriya started playing ODIs in 1989 and has played 445 games in ODI format. In these matches, the left-handed batter and all-rounder have scored 13430 runs and hit 28 centuries. He is largely regarded as one of the finest all-rounders in ODI history, particularly concerning openings, due to his left-arm batting, orthodox bowling, and active fielding. Not only this, but he is also the first cricketer to score more than 10,000 runs with a strike rate of more than 90; an average of 91.20.

Record For The Most Fifties For India in ODIs

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