In the realm of ODI cricket, there exists a select group of players who have etched their names in history by featuring in a remarkable number of matches.
Among these cricketing legends, Sachin Tendulkar, often revered as the “God of Cricket,” stands atop the list with a record-breaking 463 appearances for India.
Let’s now delve into the Individual ODI records of most ODI matches played in this article.
Below is the list of Most ODI Matches Played | Individual ODI Records:
| Player | Country | Span | Mat | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | Wkts |
| SR Tendulkar | India | 1989-2012 | 463 | 18426 | 200* | 44.83 | 49 | 154 |
| DPMD Jayawardene | Sri lanka | 1998-2015 | 448 | 12650 | 144 | 33.37 | 19 | 8 |
| ST Jayasuriya | Sri lanka | 1989-2011 | 445 | 13430 | 189 | 32.36 | 28 | 323 |
| KC Sangakkara | Sri lanka | 2000-2015 | 404 | 14234 | 169 | 41.98 | 25 | – |
| Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 1996-2015 | 398 | 8064 | 124 | 23.57 | 6 | 395 |
| Inzamam-ul-Haq | Pakistan | 1991-2007 | 378 | 11739 | 137* | 39.52 | 10 | 3 |
| RT Ponting | Australia | 1995-2012 | 375 | 13704 | 164 | 42.03 | 30 | 3 |
| Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 1984-2003 | 356 | 3717 | 86 | 16.52 | – | 502 |
| MS Dhoni (IND) | India | 2004-2019 | 350 | 10773 | 183* | 50.57 | 10 | 1 |
| M Muralidharan | Sri lanka | 1993-2011 | 350 | 674 | 33* | 6.80 | – | 534 |
Below is the details of Most ODI Matches Played | Individual ODI Records:
1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Sachin Tendulkar, often called the “Master Blaster” of Indian cricket, played the most ODI matches ever, a whopping 463 games.
He started his remarkable career in December 1989 during India’s tour of Pakistan. In these matches, he scored a massive 18,426 runs at an impressive average of 44.83 and also took 154 wickets.
His first match was a bit of a letdown, with India playing Pakistan in a rain-shortened game, and Sachin didn’t score any runs. However, his final ODI in March 2012, during the Asia Cup against Pakistan, saw him contribute a crucial 52 runs off 48 balls to help India win.
| Country | Span | Matches |
| India | 1989-2012 | 463 |
2. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
Mahela Jayawardene, a Sri Lankan cricket legend, played 448 ODI matches, making him one of those with the most ODI matches played. He started his journey in January 1998 against Zimbabwe.
Throughout his career, he scored 12,650 runs at an average of 33.37 and even took 4 wickets. His first match against Zimbabwe saw a modest performance as he contributed just one run.
His last ODI was in the 2015 ICC World Cup quarter-final against South Africa, where he scored 4 runs off 16 balls.
| Country | Span | Matches |
| Sri Lanka | 1998-2015 | 448 |
3. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
Sanath Jayasuriya, another cricket star from Sri Lanka, played in 445 ODI matches, securing a place among those with the most ODI matches played.
He started in December 1989 against Australia. During his career, he scored 13,450 runs at an average of 32.36 and took an impressive 323 wickets.
His first match against Australia didn’t see a great performance as he made only 3 runs. His ODI journey ended against England in June 2011, where he scored just two runs.
| Country | Span | Matches |
| Sri Lanka | 1989-2011 | 445 |
4. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Kumar Sangakkara, a prominent figure in Sri Lankan cricket, participated in 404 ODI matches, earning his place among those with the most ODI matches played.
He started in July 2000 against Pakistan. In his career, he scored 14,234 runs at an average of 41.98, and he was also a skilled wicketkeeper with 402 catches and 99 stumpings.
His first ODI saw him score 35 runs against Pakistan. His final ODI took place during the 2015 ICC World Cup against South Africa, where he scored 45 runs, but unfortunately, his team lost.
| Country | Span | Matches |
| Sri Lanka | 2000-2015 | 404 |
5. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
Shahid Afridi, a dynamic all-rounder from Pakistan, played 398 ODI matches, making him one of those with the most ODI matches played. He started his international journey in 1996 against Kenya.
Throughout his career, he scored 8,064 runs at an average of 23.57 and was a formidable bowler with 395 wickets. His first match against Kenya didn’t give him a chance to bat.
His last ODI was during the 2015 ICC World Cup quarter-final against Australia, where he scored 23 runs and bowled four overs without taking any wickets.
| Country | Span | Matches |
| Pakistan | 1996-2015 | 398 |
6. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)
Inzamam-ul-Haq, representing Pakistan, has featured in 378 ODI matches, making him one of the players with the most ODI matches played. He began his journey in November 1991 against the West Indies in Lahore.
In this rain-affected match of 39 overs each, both teams tied with scores of 189. Inzamam contributed 20 runs off 29 balls. His final ODI appearance was in the ICC World Cup against Zimbabwe in March 2007.
Pakistan posted a formidable 349 runs before bowling out Zimbabwe for 99, with Inzamam contributing 37 runs off 35 balls.
| Country | Span | Matches |
| Pakistan | 1991-2007 | 378 |
7. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Ricky Ponting from Australia played 375 ODI matches and is among those with the most ODI matches played. His ODI debut was in February 1995 against South Africa in Wellington.
Australia bowled out South Africa for 123 and chased the target with 3 wickets in hand.
Ponting scored 1 run in his first game. In his last ODI against India in February 2012, Ponting scored 7 runs as Australia posted 288/5. They later bowled India out for 178.
| Country | Span | Matches |
| Australia | 1995-2012 | 375 |
8. Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
Wasim Akram, with 356 ODI matches, is among those with the most ODI matches played. He made his debut against New Zealand in November 1984. Pakistan batted first and scored 157/5 in a rain-shortened game. Akram took 0/31 in his four overs.
His last ODI came during the ICC World Cup against Zimbabwe in March 2003. The match was abandoned due to rain with Pakistan at 73/3 in 14 overs.
| Country | Span | Matches |
| Pakistan | 1984-2003 | 356 |
9. MS Dhoni (India)
MS Dhoni, an iconic Indian cricketer, played 350 ODI matches, earning his place among those with the most ODI matches played. His ODI journey started in December 2004 against Bangladesh, where India batted first and scored 245/8, restricting Bangladesh to 234/8.
Dhoni was run out for zero. His final ODI was the ICC World Cup semifinal against New Zealand in July 2019. India was bowled out for 221 in response to New Zealand’s 239/8. Dhoni was run out for 50 off 72 balls.
| Country | Span | Matches |
| India | 2004-2019 | 350 |
10. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Muttiah Muralitharan, hailing from Sri Lanka, participated in 350 ODI matches, securing a place among those with the most ODI matches played. His debut came against India in August 1993.
Sri Lanka batted first and scored 204/7, bowling out India for 196. Muralitharan contributed with a bowling figure of 1/38. His final ODI was in the ICC World Cup final against India in April 2011.
Sri Lanka scored 274/6, but India chased down the target with 6 wickets and 10 balls to spare, and Muralitharan took 0/39 in 8 overs.
| Country | Span | Matches |
| Sri Lanka | 1993-2011 | 350 |
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