Top 10 Players With Most Fifties in ODI (Updated 2026)

ODI cricket has always rewarded consistency. Hundreds make headlines, yes. But it is the fifties that often decide matches — stabilising innings, rescuing collapses, or building platforms for big finishes!

Across eras, certain batters mastered this craft. From Sachin Tendulkar’s fearless opening days to Virat Kohli’s machine-like chase mastery, these players delivered fifty-plus scores with outstanding regularity.

In this article, we break down the all-time leaders in ODI fifties, explore what makes their performances timeless, and understand how they shaped the ODI format. By the end, you will know not only who leads the charts, but why their consistency stands out.

Top 10 Players with the Most Fifties in ODI Career

Here’s the top 10 list of batters who’ve scored the most half-centuries in ODI cricket. Check it out!

Rank	Player	Team	Mat	Inns	Runs	HS	100s	50s	Avg
1	Sachin Tendulkar	India	463	452	18,426	200*	49	96	44.83
2	Kumar Sangakkara	Sri Lanka	404	380	14,234	169	25	93	41.98
3	Jacques Kallis	South Africa	328	314	11,579	139	17	86	44.36
4	Inzamam-ul-Haq	Pakistan	378	350	11,739	137*	10	83	39.52
5	Rahul Dravid	India	344	318	10,889	153	12	83	39.16
6	Ricky Ponting	Australia	375	365	13,704	164	30	82	42.03
7	Mahela Jayawardene	Sri Lanka	448	418	12,650	144	19	77	33.37
8	Virat Kohli	India	307	295	14,492	183	53	76	58.20
9	MS Dhoni	India	350	297	10,773	183*	10	73	50.57
10	Sourav Ganguly	India	311	300	11,363	183	22	72	41.02

Note: Virat Kohli is still playing ODI cricket, so his stats can change. These stats are accurate as of December 11, 2025.

Now let’s explore the details of these remarkable careers and understand what made their consistency so special.

1. Sachin Tendulkar – 96 Fifties

Sachin Tendulkar, called the Master Blaster, tops this list with unmatched consistency. He scored runs everywhere in the world and delivered for India for more than two decades. His calm head and sharp reading of bowlers helped him build innings effortlessly. Sachin often controlled chases with simple but perfect shot selection.

He also understood conditions better than anyone. And he used that knowledge to guide India through difficult overs. His ability to shift gears made him a complete ODI batter. His seventy plus fifty-plus scores show just how dependable and complete he was.

 2. Kumar Sangakkara – 93 Fifties

Kumar Sangakkara brought grace and intelligence to ODI batting. His cover drives were elegant, and his temperament was unmatched. He rarely played a careless shot and built his innings with calm calculation. He also kept wicket in most of his matches, which makes his numbers even more impressive.

Sangakkara played key roles in Sri Lanka’s biggest ODI moments. And his standards never dropped even in tough overseas conditions. His fifty-plus scores show his stamina and ability to rise above pressure with quiet confidence.

3. Jacques Kallis – 86 Fifties

Jacques Kallis was the most complete all-round cricketer in the modern era. His batting was calm, stable, and unshakeable. He rarely played risky strokes and built huge partnerships with simple stroke play. Kallis was known for his textbook technique and long concentration.

He also bowled fast medium and took 273 ODI wickets, which shows his all-round value. And even with that workload, he remained one of the most consistent run scorers ever. His fifties often rescued South Africa in pressure moments. Wow!

4. Rahul Dravid – 83 Fifties

Rahul Dravid, often called The Wall, was known for his patience and textbook style. He rescued India in difficult situations with simple and risk-free batting. He had the rare ability to play both anchor and aggressor depending on the match situation.

Dravid also kept wickets in many ODIs to support team combinations. His fifty-plus scores highlight his reliability during tight matches and his calm, grounding presence in India’s middle order for more than a decade.

4. Inzamam ul Haq – 83 Fifties

Inzamam-ul-Haq registered 83 fifties in ODIs. His calm approach and natural timing made him a master of building innings under pressure. And he often guided Pakistan through tough chases with patience and maturity.

His ability to rotate strike against spin was remarkable. Many of his fifties came in matches where Pakistan needed composure more than aggression. Inzamam delivered exactly that and became one of Pakistan’s greatest middle-order anchors.

5. Ricky Ponting – 82 Fifties

Ricky Ponting, also known as ‘Punter’, was infamous for his aggressive attitude and sharp cricket mind. He loved big matches and scored heavily in ICC tournaments. His pull shot was world famous, and he punished short balls like very few players in history. Ponting never backed down from tough situations.

He also led Australia with unmatched intensity. And his batting often set the tone for the team. His 82 fifties reflect his long domination during Australia’s golden era.

7. Mahela Jayawardene – 77 Fifties

Mahela Jayawardene produced 77 ODI fifties while being one of the most graceful batters of his generation. His ability to find gaps with ease helped Sri Lanka maintain momentum during the middle overs. And he adapted well to different roles across formats.

His temperament made him a natural choice for high-pressure matches. Many of his fifties stabilized Sri Lanka during tough phases. And he always added value with smart shot selection instead of brute force.

8. Virat Kohli – 76 Fifties

Virat Kohli became the gold standard for modern ODI batting. Fans call him the Chase Master for a reason. He builds his innings with clean technique and pure focus. His fitness helps him run hard and convert singles into doubles even late in the innings. 

Kohli loves taking responsibility, and he rarely lets pressure get to him. And he keeps improving every year by adding small adjustments to his game. That is why his consistency is almost unreal. And because he is still active, expect these numbers to evolve as he adds more fifties and hundreds.

9. MS Dhoni – 73 Fifties

MS Dhoni recorded 73 ODI fifties in his career and became India’s greatest finisher. His calmness during run chases remains legendary. And he often took matches deep before striking decisively in the final overs.

Dhoni, also known as the ‘captain cool’, was also the ideal middle-order stabilizer. Many of his fifties came when India needed control rather than power. But he always understood when to shift gears, which made him one of the smartest limited-overs captains.

10. Sourav Ganguly – 72 Fifties

Sourav Ganguly, the Prince of Kolkata, was one of India’s greatest ODI openers. He relied on timing and placement to dominate fast bowlers. His offside play was world famous, and he scored heavily against the new ball. As captain, he reshaped India’s approach to overseas tours and encouraged positive batting. 

He also transformed Indian cricket as captain and changed the team’s mindset. And his fifties frequently came in partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar that defined India’s rise in the early 2000s. His fifty-plus tally shows both consistency and leadership.

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Conclusion: Sachin Tendulkar Has the Most ODI Fifties (96)

These batters mastered scoring under pressure and shaped the modern ODI game. Sachin Tendulkar leads the chart with 96 fifties. But every player on this list has left a deep mark on ODI cricket with their unique style and fearlessness.

And Virat Kohli is still playing in the format. Don’t forget to watch him play. He will surely score more fifties and hundreds too!

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