In the history of cricket, only a handful of players have managed the rare distinction of reaching the number one ranking in all three formats (Tests, ODIs and T20Is). This remarkable achievement highlights not only their talent but also their adaptability across contrasting styles of the game.
Legends like Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden, modern-day icons like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, and the versatile all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan have all etched their names in this elite list.
Here’s a closer look at their journeys to the top:
1. Ricky Ponting (Australia):
Australia’s iconic captain and batting powerhouse, Ricky Ponting was the first cricketer to achieve the rare feat of being ranked No. 1 across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. His dominance came around 2005, a year in which he amassed a staggering 1,544 Test runs, vaulting him to the top of the ICC Test batting rankings. He had already reached No. 1 in ODIs earlier in March 2005 and later topped the emerging T20I rankings, cementing his legacy as cricket’s first all-format No. 1.
2. Matthew Hayden (Australia):
Another Australian legend Matthew Hayden joined this exclusive group by securing the No. 1 spot in all three formats, though not simultaneously. Known for his crushing bat speed and consistency, Matthew Hayden accumulated over 15,000 international runs, including 40 centuries, and was a force in both Tests and ODIs. He also made an impact in T20Is, ascending to the top of those rankings during his career.
3. Virat Kohli (India):
India’s modern-day master of chases, Virat Kohli held the No. 1 rank in all three formats. He reached the pinnacle of Test, ODI and T20I batting rankings, at different times and dominated world cricket between 2013 and 2018. Remarkably, as of mid-2025, he became the first ever batter in history to cross 900 rating points in all three formats: with career-best scores of 937 (Test), 911 (ODI) and 909 (T20I). However, he never held the simultaneous No. 1 across all three formats, T20I ranking slipped before he got all three at once.
4. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh):
The greatest ever cricketer of Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan is the only all-rounder in history to clinch the No. 1 all-rounder ranking in Tests, ODIs and T20Is, achieved on January 12, 2015. This achievement underscores his brilliance with both bat and ball. He remains one of the most prolific all-format all-rounders ever, amassing over 7,000 runs and 700+ wickets across formats and being the fastest to get to certain run-wicket doubles.
5. Jasprit Bumrah (India):
India’s premier fast bowler of the modern era, Jasprit Bumrah created history by becoming the first ever bowler to be ranked No. 1 in all three formats: he first reached No. 1 in T20I bowling in November 2017, then in ODI bowling in February 2018, and finally achieved the top spot in Test bowling in 2024. His consistency, lethal yorkers and all-format mastery set a new benchmark for pace bowlers. In 2024, he was also named ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year after claiming 71 wickets at a superb average of 14.92.
These five cricketers have etched their names into the fabric of cricket history through rare versatility, each dominating across all formats in at least one aspect of the ICC rankings. Whether through sheer batting brilliance, all-round mastery or pace bowling excellence, they each defined eras and set high bars for future generations.
