ODI cricket needs a consistent performance from a cricketer. Whether you are a bowler or a batter, one needs to stay relevant to stay relevant for a long time. The game has seen some of the players go on to represent their country at the international level for a record time.
But playing for a long time also requires performances. We will talk about players who had the longest career in international cricket in ODI cricket. This list is dominated mostly by Asian players. Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the longest ODI career. So let’s check out this elite list of players.
Longest Career in ODI Cricket
| Player | Debut | Last Mth | Duration | Mts |
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 18 Dec 1989 | 18 Mar 2012 | 22y 91d | 463 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) | 26 Dec 1989 | 28 Jun 2011 | 21y 184d | 445 |
| Javed Miandad (PAK) | 11 Jun 1975 | 9 Mar 1996 | 20y 272d | 233 |
| Chris Gayle (WI) | 11 Sep 1999 | 14 Aug 2019 | 19y 337d | 301 |
| Shoaib Malik (PAK) | 14 Oct 1999 | 16 Jun 2019 | 19y 245d | 287 |
| Aravinda de Silva (SL) | 31 Mar 1984 | 18 Mar 2003 | 18y 352d | 308 |
| Jacques Kallis (SA) | 9 Jan 1996 | 12 Jul 2014 | 18y 184d | 328 |
| Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 2 Oct 1996 | 20 Mar 2015 | 18y 169d | 398 |
| Graham Gooch (ENG) | 26 Aug 1976 | 10 Jan 1995 | 18y 137d | 125 |
| Mashrafe Mortaza (BAN) | 23 Nov 2001 | 6 Mar 2020 | 18y 104d | 220 |
5. Shoaib Malik (PAK) – 19 years and 245 days
Veteran Pakistani all-rounder Shoaib Malik is still part of the Pakistani team at the highest level. He made his ODI debut in October 1999 against the West Indies in Sharjah and picked up 2/34. Though he played his last ODI match in June 2019 against India, he played for a period of 19 years and 235 days. Malik hasn’t announced his retirement until now. He has played 287 ODIs and scored 7534 runs with 158 wickets.
4. Chris Gayle (WI) – 19 years and 337 days
Famously known as “Universe Boss,” Chris Gayle had the longest career for his country in the 50-over format. He played his first ODI way back in September 1999 against India. Gayle has played 301 ODIs and scored 10480 runs at an average of 37.83, with 25 centuries and 54 half-centuries. He has also taken 167 wickets. His last game came in August 2019 against India.
3. Javed Miandad (PAK) – 20 years and 272 days
Batting legend from Pakistan, Javed Miandad had the thrid-longest ODI career in history. He was part of the Pakistani team for over two decades in international cricket. He made his ODI debut against West Indies in June 1975 at the World Cup. Miandad played until the 1996 ODI World Cup. His last game was against India in March 1996. Miandad played for a period of 20 years and 272 days, played 233 games, and scored 7381 runs with 8 centuries and 50 fifties. Interestingly, he was dismissed by runout in his first and last ODI.
2. Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) – 21 years and 184 days
The only player in the history, who scored over 13,000 ODI runs and took over 300 wickets, Sanath Jayasuriya played ODI cricket for a period of 21 years and 184 days. He made his debut way back in December 1989 against Australia. His last ODI was in June 2011 against England. Jayasuriya played a total of 445 ODIs (second most) and scored 13430 runs with 28 centuries and 68 half-centuries. He also took 323 wickets, with a best of 6/29.
1. Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 22 years and 91 days
Sachin Tendulkar not only had the longest career but also had a legendary ODI career. He retired with almost every batting record registered under his name. Sachin made his debut in December 1989 against Pakistan and got out on a second-ball duck. He went on to play for 22 years and 91 days. Sachin played a total of 463 ODIs and scored 18426 runs, including 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries. He also took 154 wickets. His last game was in March 2012 against Pakistan, where he scored 52 runs.