Top Cricketers of the 21st Century Honored at Cricinfo Awards

Cricinfo Honors the Best in Cricket

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 31: An esteemed panel of players and former cricketers has recognized Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and Muthiah Muralidaran as the finest men's international cricketers of the 21st century during the Cricinfo Honours, as reported by a leading media house.

Tendulkar earned the title of the greatest batter, while Muralidaran was named the top bowler, and Kallis was acknowledged as the best all-rounder for their exceptional performances from 2000 to 2025 across various international formats. Ellyse Perry from Australia was celebrated as the greatest women's international cricketer of the century.

This recognition was part of a series of announcements on Cricinfo, culminating in the unveiling of the top 25 men's internationals. A jury of 25 members, including cricket legends like Wasim Akram, Greg Chappell, and Eoin Morgan, participated in the voting process.

Completing the top five men's internationals were Virat Kohli at No. 3 and Ricky Ponting at No. 5. Other active players in the top 25 included Joe Root (No. 9), Jasprit Bumrah (No. 15), Kane Williamson (No. 16), and Mitchell Starc (No. 17).

Achievements of the Honorees

Men's Test and ODI Honours

- Sachin Tendulkar: Renowned as the highest run-scorer in the history of cricket, Tendulkar holds numerous records, including the most centuries and fifties in both Tests and ODIs.

- Jacques Kallis: Regarded alongside Garry Sobers as one of the greatest all-rounders, Kallis amassed 13,289 runs and took 292 wickets in Tests, ranking him fourth among all-time Test run-scorers. He highlighted his memorable innings, including a double century against India in 2010.

- Muthiah Muralidaran: Concluding his illustrious career in 2010 with 800 Test wickets at an impressive average, Muralidaran played a pivotal role in establishing Sri Lanka as a formidable cricketing nation during the 2000s.

Reflections from the Honorees

Sachin Tendulkar expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, "I am truly humbled by this honor from my fellow players. Starting cricket at the age of three, I have always cherished the game. The acknowledgment from those I have played with and against makes this even more special. I appreciate the support from my fans and the jury."

T20 Honours

Other notable winners at the Cricinfo Honours included AB de Villiers, awarded as the best T20 batter, and Jasprit Bumrah, recognized as the best T20 bowler.

- De Villiers concluded his T20 career with nearly 9,500 runs and was a key player for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL.

- Bumrah, a two-time T20 World Cup champion with India, has taken 349 wickets in 283 matches at an impressive economy rate.

Women's Cricket Honours

- Ellyse Perry: Acknowledged as one of the greatest athletes of her time, Perry highlighted the significance of the 2020 T20 World Cup final as a career milestone, emphasizing the efforts made for the advancement of women's cricket.

In Test cricket, she boasts remarkable statistics, with an average exceeding 60 with the bat and under 20 with the ball, showcasing her exceptional talent.