25 Biggest Overachievers in Cricket History
25. Saeed Ajmal
Considered an overachiever in cricket history, former Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal debuted late at the age of 30, but quickly became the world's number-one-ranked ODI bowler. He was also the fastest Pakistani bowler to take 100 Test wickets in a short career span, before the ICC banned his bowling action.
24. Ajit Agarkar
Former India all-rounder Ajit Agarkar, who now serves as the chief selector of the men's team, is an overachiever for his remarkable all-round records despite being viewed primarily as a bowler with an inconsistent Test career. His most spectacular records include being the fastest player ever to the double of 200 wickets and 1000 runs in ODIs.
23. Peter Siddle
Despite not possessing the raw pace that other fast bowlers do, Australian Peter Siddle is still considered an overachiever due to his career longevity and consistent performance. He succeeded primarily in red-ball, often bowling long, economical spells while taking 221 wickets in 67 Test matches at a respectable average of 30.66.
22. Adam Voges
Ex-Australian red-ball cricketer Adam Voges made a late start to his Test career at the age of 35 and had a relatively short 20-match tenure. However, he is considered an overachiever for his high Test batting average of 61.87, which is the third-highest of all time, only behind Don Bradman and Kamindu Mendis.
21. Ryan Harris
One of Australia's most highly-rated fast bowlers of all time, Ryan Harris achieved a phenomenal Test bowling average of 23.52, despite a late start to his Test career at the age of 30. In just 27 Tests, which scalped 113 wickets, in spite of his playing career being perpetually hampered by chronic knee and other injuries.
20. Graeme Swann
Another player who made his Test debut quite late in his career, ex-England cricketer Graeme Swann is considered an overachiever for having risen to the top after nearly a decade of inconsistent domestic performances. In his five-year long red-ball career, he finished England's second-highest Test wicket-taking spinner with 255 wickets.
19. Chris Rogers
Former Australian opener Chris Rogers only played a Test match at the age of 30, before being ignored until the age of 35. He featured in 25 Test matches throughout his short-lived career, scoring 2,015 runs at an average of over 42, overcoming his physical disadvantages of color blindness and short-sightedness.
18. Ian Bell
Despite being a talented young batsman, former English cricketer Ian Bell struggled with inconsistency and mental fragility early in his career. Overcoming the difficulties, he ultimately forged a long and highly successful career, finished with over 13,000 runs, including 26 hundreds and over 80 fifties, across all the three formats of the game.
17. Michael Bevan
Ex-Australian international Michael Bevan had a disappointing Test career, but excelled in ODIs, which led to his legendary status. Bevan retired with an ODI average of 53.58, scoring 6,912 runs in the 50-over format, while also being a part of Australia's two World Cup-winning squads, making him an overachiever in cricket.
16. Ravi Shastri
A player who former India captain Kapil Dev described as 'average', Ravi Shastri is an overachiever due to his impact that significantly surpassed his statistical profile. A highly versatile utility all-rounder who was part of India's 1983 World Cup winning team, the 63-year-old even transitioned from a lower-order spinner to an opening batsman.
15. Vernon Philander
Ex-South African red-ball maestro Vernon Philander had a phenomenal Test bowling average of 22.32, despite his lack of genuine pace and modest physique. The Proteas icon excelled with the help of his 'unorthodox' technique of generating swing and seam movement, becoming one of the fastest bowlers to reach 50 and 100 Test wickets in history.
14. Michael Vaughan
While former English cricketer Michael Vaughan was not among the most elite batters in red-ball cricket during his time, he remains an overachiever for his exceptional captaincy record. Vaughan led England to a historic 2005 Ashes victory, their first in 18 years, while also scoring over 5,500 Test runs.
13. Daniel Vettori
Ex-New Zealand icon Daniel Vettori can easily be considered an overachiever for his highly successful career as an all-rounder. He remains one of only three players in Test cricket history with the double of 300 wickets and over 4,000 runs, while also being a part of the Kiwis' squad that finished runners-up at the 2015 ODI World Cup.
12. Stuart Broad
Transitioning from a fast-medium bowler with a mid-range average into one of the most prolific pacers in Test cricket history, Stuart Board retired as the fifth highest wicket-taker in the longest format, claiming 604 wickets. His remarkable longevity solidified his status as an overachiever, given the initial inconsistency.
11. Mohammad Yousuf
Former Pakistani captain Mohammad Yousuf's status as an overachiever is primarily due to his world-record Test run-scoring year in 2006, where he amassed 1,788 runs at a phenomenal average of 99.33. While he could not maintain the same level throughout his career, he did finish with over 17,000 runs in international cricket.
10. Gautam Gambhir
While former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir does not boast stellar numbers in international cricket, he is considered an overachiever for his clutch performances in major ICC finals. Gambhir scored 75 runs in the 2007 T20 WC final, and another 97 runs in the 2011 ODI WC final. He is now serving as the head coach of the India men's team.
9. Hashim Amla
South African great Hashim Amla's unorthodox batting technique was initially criticized, suggesting limited potential for international success. However, Amla overcame this skepticism to become an all-format great, setting numerous ODI run records as well as becoming the only South African to score a Test triple century.
8. Mohinder Amarnath
Former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath was an overachiever, known for his skills against the world's most fearsome fast bowlers during the 1980s. A clutch performer, Amarnath was named Player of the Match in both the semi-final and final of the 1983 World Cup, finishing his international career with over 6,000 runs and 70 wickets.
7. Alastair Cook
Former England captain Alastair Cook possessed limited technique against high-quality pace bowling, but succeeded through qualities of discipline and temperament. Cook remains the all-time sixth-highest run-getter in Test cricket history, finishing with 12,472 runs in the format in a world-record 159 consecutive Tests, hitting 33 centuries.
6. Ravindra Jadeja
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has endured an incredible journey, from humble beginnings to the ICC No. 1 Test All-Rounder spot, defining overachievement. He has played in 86 Tests, 204 ODIs and 74 T20Is for the Men in Blue so far, scoring over 7,000 runs at an average over 30 and also scalped over 600 wickets across all the formats.
5. Brendon McCullum
Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum performed beyond expectations, while also leading the Black Caps to their first Cricket World Cup final in 2015. McCullum's individual records, like the fastest Test century and being the first New Zealander to score a Test triple century, also make him one of the finest Kiwi batters of all time.
4. Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Shivnarine Chanderpaul is considered an overachiever for his immense productivity and longevity, amassing 11,867 Test runs at an outstanding average of 51.37 over a 21-year career from 1994 to 2015. The West Indies left-handed batting legend achieved the numbers despite an unorthodox 'crab-like' batting stance.
3. Virender Sehwag
Despite having an overall aggressive batting approach, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag overachieved due to his ability to consistently deliver big scores in Test and ODI cricket. His career Test average of nearly 50 and strike rate of 82.23 is the highest among batsmen with over 3,000 runs, apart from his two triple centuries in the format.
2. Mike Hussey
Nicknamed 'Mr. Cricket', Australian legend Michael Hussey is widely considered as one of the greatest overachievers, having made his international debut at the age of 28 after a decade in domestic cricket. Despite the late start, he finished with over 12,000 runs across all three formats, hitting 21 hundreds throughout his career.
1. MS Dhoni
The top spot on this unique list of players is occupied by ex-India icon MS Dhoni, who rose from humble beginnings to become the only captain in cricket history to win all three major ICC white-ball trophies. This feat, coupled with his status as a finisher, exceeded expectations, as he also remains the joint most-successful captain in IPL history.
