ESPNcricinfo’s Greatest Cricketers of the 21st Century: Why Jacques Kallis Finished Ahead of Tendulkar, Kohli and Ponting
Few subjects create as much debate in cricket as the question of greatness. Every generation produces players who redefine excellence, dominate opponents and inspire millions of fans. In 2026, ESPNcricinfo attempted to answer one of the sport’s most difficult questions by releasing its list of the “Greatest Men’s International Cricketers of the 21st Century,” covering performances from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2025.
The rankings immediately sparked discussions across the cricketing world. While many expected legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Muttiah Muralitharan or Virat Kohli to occupy the top position, it was South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis who emerged as the No. 1 player of the century.
The rankings were not based purely on statistics. ESPNcricinfo assembled a large international jury consisting of former players, captains, coaches, broadcasters and selectors from different cricketing nations. Their combined verdict produced a list that reflected not only numbers but also impact, consistency, longevity, versatility and influence on the game.
How the Rankings Were Decided
According to ESPNcricinfo, only performances between 2000 and 2025 were considered. This meant achievements before January 1, 2000 were excluded, even for players whose careers had begun earlier.
The publication first created a longlist of leading cricketers from the modern era. That list was then narrowed down before being sent to the jury, who voted on their top players. The final rankings were calculated from those votes.
This approach attempted to balance statistical achievements with expert judgment from individuals who had played, coached, analyzed and covered the game at the highest level.
The Distinguished International Jury
One of the most interesting aspects of the project was the breadth of the jury panel.
The panel included former cricketers and experts from multiple countries, including:
- Ajit Agarkar
- Wasim Akram
- Ian Bishop
- Mark Boucher
- Carlos Brathwaite
- Greg Chappell
- Allan Donald
- Faf du Plessis
- Aaron Finch
- Andy Flower
- David Gower
- Stephen Harmison
- Matthew Hayden
- Shan Masood
- Tom Moody
- Angelo Mathews
- Eoin Morgan
- Irfan Pathan
- Cheteshwar Pujara
- Ravi Shastri
- Tim Southee
- Ross Taylor
- Jonathan Trott
- Daniel Vettori
- Shane Watson
The jury represented different cricketing cultures, eras and playing styles. The presence of former captains, coaches, commentators and selectors gave the rankings considerable credibility.
The Top 25 Cricketers of the Century
The final rankings released by ESPNcricinfo were:
- Jacques Kallis
- Sachin Tendulkar
- Virat Kohli
- Muttiah Muralitharan
- Ricky Ponting
- AB de Villiers
- Kumar Sangakkara
- Dale Steyn
- Joe Root
- Steve Smith
- Adam Gilchrist
- Rahul Dravid
- James Anderson
- MS Dhoni
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Kane Williamson
- Mitchell Starc
- Chris Gayle
- Ben Stokes
- Pat Cummins
- Mahela Jayawardene
- Virender Sehwag
- Kevin Pietersen
- Stuart Broad
- Ravichandran Ashwin
The rankings featured players from nearly every major cricketing nation and reflected the global nature of modern cricket.
Why Jacques Kallis Was Ranked No. 1
The biggest talking point was undoubtedly the placement of Jacques Kallis above Tendulkar, Kohli, Ponting and Muralitharan.
However, the reasoning becomes easier to understand when examining the extraordinary balance of his career.
Kallis scored more than 13,000 Test runs at an average exceeding 55. Those numbers alone place him among the greatest batters in cricket history.
Yet he was not merely a batting legend.
He also took nearly 300 Test wickets as a genuine fast-medium bowler. Unlike many all-rounders who bat lower down the order, Kallis spent most of his career batting in the top four, often at No. 3. At the same time, he regularly served as South Africa’s first-change bowler.
That combination is exceptionally rare.
Most batting greats contribute only with the bat. Most bowling all-rounders do not average above 50 in Test cricket. Kallis managed to combine elite batting with genuine frontline bowling for nearly two decades.
He was also an outstanding slip fielder, adding another dimension to his overall value.
Many cricket analysts have argued that Kallis effectively allowed South Africa to play both an additional specialist batter and an additional specialist bowler in the same team.
That level of versatility played a major role in his rise to the top of ESPNcricinfo’s rankings.
Tendulkar’s Enduring Legacy
Sachin Tendulkar finished second, a position that many fans continue to debate.
For millions of cricket followers, Tendulkar remains the greatest batter of the modern era. During the period under consideration, he continued to dominate world cricket while carrying immense expectations from Indian fans.
His longevity, adaptability and ability to perform across different conditions helped him remain among the game’s elite players for over two decades.
Even those who agreed with Kallis’ selection at No. 1 generally acknowledged that Tendulkar’s cultural and sporting impact remains unmatched.
Virat Kohli and Modern Greatness
Virat Kohli’s ranking at No. 3 highlights his enormous influence on contemporary cricket.
Kohli redefined professionalism, fitness standards and competitive intensity. Under his leadership, India became one of the strongest Test teams in the world and achieved historic overseas victories.
His consistency across formats and his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations helped him become one of the defining cricketers of the twenty-first century.
The fact that he secured third place while still active demonstrates the respect he commands globally.
Recognition for Bowlers
One of the strongest aspects of the rankings was the recognition given to bowlers.
Muttiah Muralitharan ranked fourth after becoming the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history. His dominance often transformed matches single-handedly.
Dale Steyn, ranked eighth, represented fast-bowling excellence. His pace, aggression and ability to succeed in every major cricketing nation made him one of the most feared bowlers of his generation.
James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Ravichandran Ashwin also featured prominently, underlining the importance of bowling in an increasingly batting-friendly era.
The Biggest Debates
As expected, the rankings generated controversy.
Many fans questioned the absence of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Brian Lara.
The inclusion of active players such as Joe Root, Steve Smith, Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins also created debate, as their careers are still ongoing.
However, disagreements are inevitable when comparing players from different teams, formats, conditions and roles.
A Reflection of Modern Cricket
Beyond individual rankings, the list offers a fascinating reflection of cricket’s evolution since 2000.
Versatility has become increasingly valuable. Players who could contribute in multiple disciplines earned significant recognition.
The rankings also demonstrate the truly global nature of the sport. Stars from India, South Africa, Australia, England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and the West Indies all found places on the list.
Most importantly, the exercise showed that greatness is about more than statistics. Leadership, consistency, adaptability, longevity and match-winning ability remain essential factors in defining sporting legacies.
Conclusion
ESPNcricinfo’s Greatest Men’s International Cricketers of the 21st Century list has succeeded in reigniting one of cricket’s oldest debates.
While opinions will continue to differ, Jacques Kallis’ selection at No. 1 highlights the extraordinary value of a player who could influence matches with bat, ball and in the field. His unique combination of elite batting and genuine frontline bowling remains unmatched in modern cricket.
Whether fans support Kallis, Tendulkar, Kohli, Ponting or Muralitharan, the rankings celebrate a remarkable era that produced some of the greatest cricketers the game has ever seen. The debate may never end, but that is precisely what makes cricket such a fascinating sport.
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