5 Legendary Batsmen Who Have Never Achieved Number 1 Ranking In ODIs

ODI cricket over the years has seen several batsmen embrace the format and make it their own. Sachin Tendulkar is the highest scorer in the format and it is expected that his record might never be broken. Sachin has achieved the number 1 rankings in ODIs many times in his career. While there have been a few players who despite scoring runs continuously have failed to achieve the number 1 ranking.

The likes of Kumar Sangakkara and Inzamam-Ul-Haq previously from the previous era and the likes of Rohit Sharma, Kane Williamson from this era have been such batsmen who have never achieved the number 1 rankings and have been unlucky to miss out. We will list down the top 5 names.

5 Legendary Batsmen Who Have Never Achieved Number 1 Ranking In ODIs

Kane Williamson- Highest Rank 3

The Kiwi skipper is counted among the modern greats in ODI cricket. The way he goes about his business of scoring runs is very different from his counterparts from other teams. He has scored over 6000 runs in nearly 150 games but has never achieved the number 1 rankings. His highest rank in the format has been 3.

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Inzamam ul Haq- Highest Rank 3

Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-Ul-Haq scored over 10000 runs in the format but never achieved the top ranking. He is among the batsmen who had a languid style of play and who kept the scoreboard moving. He has played five World Cups in his career and led Pakistan to many memorable victories. He retired after Pakistan’s exit from the 2007 World Cup. Throughout his career, his highest ODI rank was 3.

Joe Root- Highest Rank 2

Root is the Test skipper of the side since the retirement of Sir Alastair Cook. He has fallen out of favor in the ODI and the T20I format since England’s World Cup win in 2019. Root is closing in on 6000 runs in the format and his highest rank in the format has been 2. The England Test skipper played his last ODI against Australia back in 2020 scoring a duck. He sits third on the list of batsmen who have never achieved the number 1 ranking in ODI cricket.

Kumar Sangakkara- Highest Rank 2

The former Sri Lankan skipper has scored the second most ODI runs (14234) after Sachin Tendulkar. He has also played the most number of ODIS (404) after Sachin Tendulkar’s 463. Despite ruling ODI cricket for several years, Sangakkara has failed to achieve the top ranking in ODI. His highest rank has been 2. He retired from the game after the 2015 World Cup.

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Rohit Sharma- Highest Rank 2

Rohit Sharma culminates the list of batsmen who have never achieved the top spot in ODI rankings. With three double tons to his name, Rohit is 800 short of 10000 runs in this format. Despite his consistency at the top, he has failed to achieve the number 1 rankings. His highest rank has been 2.

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