Some fifties are more memorable than hundreds. The God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, is not only famous for his most hundreds but also holds the record for most fifties in ODI cricket. 

This analysis explores the batsmen who have scored the most half-centuries in One Day International cricket. We’ll examine the careers of legendary cricketers who consistently reached the 50-run milestone, including detailed statistics of the top 20 players and in-depth profiles of the top 10 fifty-makers in ODI history.

Most Fifties In ODI Cricket History: Career

The ability to score fifties consistently is a hallmark of batting excellence in ODI cricket. While centuries often grab headlines, the frequency of half-centuries reveals a batsman’s consistency and reliability. Here are the top performers who have demonstrated remarkable consistency in reaching this milestone.

Player	Team	Span	Mat	Inns	100s	50s	HS	NO	Avg	SR
SR Tendulkar	India	1989-2012	463	452	49	96	200*	41	44.83	86.23
KC Sangakkara	Sri Lanka	2000-2015	404	380	25	93	169	41	41.98	78.86
JH Kallis	South Africa	1996-2014	328	314	17	86	139	53	44.36	72.89
R Dravid	India	1996-2011	344	318	12	83	153	40	39.16	71.23
Inzamam-ul-Haq	Pakistan	1991-2007	378	350	10	83	137*	53	39.52	74.24
RT Ponting	Australia	1995-2012	375	365	30	82	164	39	42.03	80.39
DPMD Jayawardene	Sri Lanka	1998-2015	448	418	19	77	144	39	33.37	78.96
MS Dhoni	India	2004-2019	350	297	10	73	183*	84	50.57	87.56
V Kohli	India	2008-2024	295	283	50	72	183	44	58.18	93.54
SC Ganguly	India	1992-2007	311	300	22	72	183	23	41.02	73.70
ST Jayasuriya	Sri Lanka	1989-2011	445	433	28	68	189	18	32.36	91.20
Mohammad Yousuf	Pakistan	1998-2010	288	273	15	64	141*	40	41.71	75.10
PA de Silva	Sri Lanka	1984-2003	308	296	11	64	145	30	34.90	81.13
BC Lara	West Indies	1990-2007	299	289	19	63	169	32	40.48	79.51
S Chanderpaul	West Indies	1994-2011	268	251	11	59	150	40	41.60	70.74
MS Atapattu	Sri Lanka	1990-2007	268	259	11	59	132*	32	37.57	67.72
M Azharuddin	India	1985-2000	334	308	7	58	153*	54	36.92	74.02
RG Sharma	India	2007-2024	265	257	31	57	264	36	49.16	92.43
DL Haynes	West Indies	1978-1994	238	237	17	57	152*	28	41.37	63.09
Shakib Al Hasan	Bangladesh	2006-2023	247	234	9	56	134*	31	37.29	82.84

1. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 96 Fifties

The Master Blaster leads the chart with an astounding 96 half-centuries across a 23-year career. Tendulkar’s consistency is reflected in his most runs in ODI, which total 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83. His ability to convert starts into substantial scores made him the backbone of Indian batting, with 49 centuries complementing his fifty-plus scores. His highest score of 200* showcases his ability to play long innings.

2. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 93 Fifties

The elegant Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman amassed 93 fifties in his 15-year career. Sangakkara’s technical excellence helped him score 14,234 runs at 41.98. His ability to anchor innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate of 78.86 made him one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable batsmen. Along with his fifties, he scored 25 centuries with a highest score of 169.

3. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 86 Fifties

South Africa’s premier all-rounder recorded 86 half-centuries in his illustrious career. Kallis’s methodical approach resulted in 11,579 runs at 44.36. His consistency across 328 matches made him a pivotal figure in South African cricket, complementing his fifties with 17 centuries and maintaining a solid average throughout his career.

4. Rahul Dravid (India) – 83 Fifties

Known as ‘The Wall’, Dravid accumulated 83 fifties in his ODI career. His technical proficiency helped him score 10,889 runs at 39.16. Despite being known more for his Test cricket excellence, Dravid’s ODI record stands testament to his adaptability, with 12 centuries supporting his fifty-plus scores.

5. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) – 83 Fifties

Pakistan’s batting maestro equals Dravid with 83 fifties. Inzamam’s elegant batting style helped him accumulate 11,739 runs at 39.52. His ability to pace innings and remain not out 53 times speaks volumes about his finishing capabilities, supported by 10 centuries in his career.

6. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 82 Fifties

Australia’s most successful captain notched 82 fifties during his career. Ponting’s aggressive batting approach yielded 13,704 runs at 42.03. His remarkable consistency included 30 centuries, making him one of the most complete batsmen in ODI history.

7. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 77 Fifties

The stylish Sri Lankan batsman recorded 77 fifties across 448 matches. Jayawardene’s elegant batting helped him score 12,650 runs at 33.37. His ability to control the middle overs and accelerate when needed made him a crucial part of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.

8. MS Dhoni (India) – 73 Fifties

One of the most successful ODI captain who scored 73 fifties in his career. Dhoni’s unique batting style and finishing abilities helped him maintain an impressive average of 50.57, scoring 10,773 runs. His high number of not-outs (84) showcases his ability to see through innings.

9. Virat Kohli (India) – 72 Fifties

The modern-day great has accumulated 72 fifties so far. Kohli’s aggressive yet calculated approach has helped him maintain an outstanding average of 58.18 with 13,906 runs. His ability to combine fifties (72) with centuries (50) makes him one of the most consistent performers.

10. Sourav Ganguly (India) – 72 Fifties

The former Indian captain recorded 72 fifties in his career. Ganguly’s elegant left-handed batting helped him score 11,363 runs at 41.02. His ability to dominate bowlers while maintaining consistency made him one of India’s most successful openers.

Conclusion: Sachin Tendulkar Has The Most Fifties In ODI Cricket

The achievement of scoring fifties consistently in ODI cricket requires exceptional skill, concentration, and adaptability. These statistics not only highlight individual achievements but also demonstrate how these players shaped their teams’ successes over different eras. 

The presence of multiple Indian, Sri Lankan, and South African players in the top ranks reflects these nations’ strong batting traditions in ODI cricket.