Five Players Who Excelled in ODIs But Failed in Test Format

Limited-overs cricket might be the most popular format in these days but there is absolutely no denying that every cricketer craves to excel in Test cricket. The longest format of the game is the one which tests an ability of players to the maximum.

So much so, not surprisingly, there are several cricketers who enjoyed good success in coloured jersey but eventually failed to replicate those exploits in whites.

So, here we take a look at five players who did well in One-Day Internationals but failed to do so in the longest version of the game.

5. Boeta Dippenaar:

The former South Africa batsman Boeta Dippenaar played 38 Tests and 107 ODIs. And while he enjoyed good success in the 50-over format, he cut a sorry figure on most of the occasions whenever he donned the white jersey.

In 107 ODIs, he scored 3,421 runs at an average of over 42 with the help of four centuries and 26 fifties.

On the other hand, his Test average was a modest 30.14 as he managed just 1,718 runs in 62 Test innings. He scored three centuries and seven fifties in the longest format of the game.

4. Mahendra Singh Dhoni:

It will be quite absurd for many to see Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s name in the list. But while Dhoni enjoyed unprecedented success as Test captain, the same cannot be said about his batting.

Compared to his exploits in limited-overs cricket especially ODIs, Dhoni’s Test record leaves a lot to be desired.

While his average in ODIs is over 51, he averaged a modest 38.09 in Tests. In 318 ODIs so far, he has amassed 9,967 runs.

On the other hand, he scored 4,876 runs in 144 Test innings with the help of six hundreds.

 3. Suresh Raina:

Suresh Raina made a sizzling start to his Test career, slamming a century against Sri Lanka in the testing conditions of Colombo.

However, it was not the precursor of how his Test career would pan out. While he continued to be an integral part of the ODI and T20I team, he soon lost his place in the Test team.

Not surprisingly, he has played only 18 Tests so far despite making his international debut way back in 2005.

In those 18 Tests, he could not score another century after his debut match. Overall, he scored a modest 768 runs at an average of 26.48.

2. Yuvraj Singh:

50-over World Cup, T20I World Cup, Champions Trophy – you name it and Yuvraj has won it all in limited-overs cricket.

Moreover, he was one of the biggest contributors when we talk about those famous victories. Many have hailed him as India’s greatest match-winner in the limited-overs cricket.

However, the southpaw loses his charm whenever he dons the white jersey. While he represented India in over 300 ODIs and over 50 T20Is, he has managed to play just 40 Tests.

The stats further justifies his modest Test appearance. In those 40 Tests, he scored 1,900 runs at an average of 33.92.

1. Martin Guptill:

From the current crop of top players, Martin Guptill is perhaps the most notable name whose contrasting fortunes in ODI and Tests has surprised many.

One of the most feared players in limited-overs cricket, Guptill has failed to do well in the longest format of the game.

While he averages over 42 in ODIs, it falls down to 29.38 in Tests. In 47 Tests so far, he has scored 2,586 runs with the help of just three tons. On the other hand, he has scored 5,976 runs in 159 ODIs with the help of 13 centuries and 34 fifties.