Over the years, the rise of the shortest format in cricket has almost added a necessity to still talk about the longer formats. However, the 50 over format (ODI) hasn’t lost its stature despite the prominence of shorter formats around the globe. The batsmen have been given more license and freedom, while the bowlers haven’t had many luxuries.
Modern-day cricket has evolved a lot, but there are still records that might be hard to break. One of those records will be to break into the batsmen list with most half-centuries in ODIs. A poor series might cost a batsmen’s career in the modern era. Let us look at the top 10 batsmen with the most half-centuries in ODI cricket.
1. Sachin Tendulkar – 96
The Indian legend is portrayed as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, and his numbers tell the story as well. Undoubtedly, Sachin Tendulkar leads the chart for the most half-centuries in ODI cricket. He is the only cricketer to have scored 100 international centuries. Sachin finished his ODI career with 96 half-centuries to his name.
2. Kumar Sangakkara – 93
Kumar Sangakkara had an excellent international career and is one of the most elegant left-handers in the game. The former Sri Lankan batter is the second most run-scorer in ODI history, with 14234 runs at an average of 41.99. His tally of 93 fifties is the second most in ODI cricket. He was one of the pillars of his country’s batting lineup.
3. Jacques Kallis – 86
Jacques Kallis is, by far, the best all-rounder the world has seen in all the three formats combined, and he had an excellent career for South Africa. With 273 wickets and 11579 runs in ODI cricket, he is almost an indispensable asset in the format for any team. Kallis finished with 86 half-centuries to his name and is the third on the list.
4. Rahul Dravid – 83
Rahul Dravid was often viewed as a player who wasn’t much suited to the 50 over format needs, but he did end up as one of the finest players. With 10889 runs at an average of 39.1, Dravid did go on to shut a lot of critics on his limited over’s abilities. He was the man for the crisis, and he scored 83 50+ scores which are the fourth most in ODIs. His stellar performances against multiple opposition makes him a player for every conditions.
5. Inzamam-ul-Haq – 83
Inzamam-ul-Haq is probably one of the best batsmen from the Pakistan side, and he had a significant impact on his captaincy. The right arm batter came into the international scene at a very young age, and he scored 11739 runs at an average of 39.53. His tally of 83 fifties is joint fourth on the list of batters with most half-centuries.
6. Ricky Ponting – 82
Ricky Ponting is one of the game’s all-time greats and is the most successful captain. The former Australian batsman is the third-highest run-scorer in the ODI format, with 13704 runs at an average of 42.04. He was one of the best players of the pull shot and had a fabulous career. Ponting finished with 30 ODI centuries, and his 82 fifties are sixth on the list of batters with most half-centuries.
7. Mahela Jayawardene – 77
Mahela Jayawardene had a lot of class associated with him, and his game was mainly based on his excellent touch. The former Sri Lankan captain played the second most number of ODI internationals, and he scored 12650 runs in 448 games. Jayawardene finished with 77 half-centuries to his name, the seventh most in ODI internationals.
8. MS Dhoni – 73
MS Dhoni is one of the legends of the 50 over format and is referred to as the most terrific finisher of all time. Dhoni stayed unbeaten 84 times in 350 ODIs, and he had an average of above 50 with more than 10,000 runs. He was always willing to take responsibility for the side and has been a match-winner all his lifetime. He scored 73 half-centuries, the eight most among batters in ODI format.
9. Sourav Ganguly – 72
Sourav Ganguly started the era for India’s dominance in every format, and his captaincy will always be remembered. He led India to the finals in the 2003 World cup and was one of the best Indian openers in 50 over format. Ganguly scored 11363 runs in 311 ODI games at an average of 41.02. He finished with 72 half-centuries in the 50 over structure, the ninth most.
10. Sanath Jayasuriya – 68
Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the most aggressive batsmen in ODI cricket and can quickly change a game. The former Sri Lankan left-hander had a career of over two decades in international cricket and finished with 13430 runs under his belt. Jayasuriya’s tally of 68 half-centuries in 50 over format is the tenth most for any batsmen.
