List of cricketers who have played 5 or more ICC ODI Cricket World Cups

A total of 20 cricketers have played 5 or more ICC ODI Cricket World Cups.

ICC Cricket World Cup has been the biggest tournament in the game of cricket. Every player dreams of representing thier country on the biggest stage. Some make it possible, while others are not that lucky. Since the start of the World Cup in 1975, there have been a total of 13 editions so far.

There are some legendary players who have played in a number of ICC Cricket World Cup events in their careers. We will talk about the players who have featured in five or more ODI World Cups during their careers. Notably, there are only two players who have played in six World Cup editions. So let's check out this elite list.

Here is the list of cricketers who have played 5 or more ICC ODI Cricket World Cups:

1. Javed Miandad - 6 (1975, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992 and 1996) :

Former Pakistani legend Javed Miandad was one of the best players that Pakistan ever produced, and he left a great legacy in Pakistan's cricket history. He was the first and one of two players to feature in six editions of the ODI Cricket World Cup between 1875 and 1996. Miandad played 33 games and scored 1083 runs at 43.32, including one century and eight half-centuries.

2. Imran Khan (1975, 1979, 1983, 1987 and 1992) :

Pakistan won the Cricket World Cup only once, and that came under Imran Khan. The former skipper was one of a kind when it was about the match-winning impact. He played his first World Cup in 1975 as a teenager and led Pakistan to glory in his last 1992 World Cup. In 28 World Cup games, he scored 665 runs at 33.06 with one hundred and four half-centuries and also took 34 wickets at 19.26.

3. Arjuna Ranatunga (1983, 1987, 1992, 1996 and 1999) :

Just like Imran, the man who led Sri Lanka to their one and only ODI Cricket World Cup title was Arjuna Ranatunga. He was the one who gave every Sri Lankan a dream to pursue a career in cricket. Ranatunga made his World Cup debut in 1983 and played his first edition in 1999. He played 30 matches and scored 969 runs at 46.14 with seven half-centuries.

4. Aravinda de Silva (1987, 1992, 1996, 1999 and 2003) :

Former Sri Lankan star Aravinda de Silva was one of the few batters listed to complete 1000 runs in World Cups. He won man of the match in the 1996 World Cup that Sri Lanka won. De Silva was the backbone of Sri Lankan batting line-up during his time. He played 35 World Cup matches and scored 1064 runs at 36.68 with two hundred and six half-centuries.

5. Wasim Akram (1987, 1992, 1996, 1999, and 2003) :

Wasim Akram was the key contributor to Pakistan's 1992 World Cup win. He won man of the match in the finals for his all-round performance. Akram also played in five World Cup editions and was one of the highest wicket-takers in the tournament's history. Wasim played 38 games, took a total of 55 wickets at 23.83, and also scored 426 runs with the bat.

6. Sachin Tendulkar - 6 (1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011) :

The greatest batter of all-time Sachin Tendulkar was the second player to play in six World Cup editions. He had a superb career, and he is the only player with more than 2000 runs in ODI Cricket World Cup history. Sachin won the World Cup in his last attempt in the 2011 edition. He played 45 games and scored 2278 runs at an average of 56.75. He also scored six centuries and 15 half-centuries, which are also records.

7. Inzamam-ul-Haq (1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, and 2007) :

Former Pakistani skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq made his World Cup debut in 1992 and was part of the winning team as a youngster. Later, he went on to play in the other four ODI Cricket World Cup editions, and his last came in 2007. He was one of the greatest batters from Pakistan in the previous generation. Inzamam played 35 World Cup matches and scored 717 runs at 23.90, but he also played some important innings in his stint.

8. Sanath Jayasuriya (1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, and 2007) :

Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya played an aggressive batting template, which was later followed by Virender Sehwag, Adam Gilchrist, Shahid Afridi, and many more. Jayasuriya was the fourth-highest scorer in World Cup history. The left-hander played 38 games and scored 1165 runs at an average of 34.26 with three hundreds and six half-centuries. He was also a useful bowler who took 27 wickets as well.

9. Brain Lara (1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, and 2007) :

Brain Lara was one of the most consistent batters in the ODI Cricket World Cup events. He played five editions during his career and was the third-highest scorer in history. The left-hander played 34 World Cup games and scored 1225 runs at an average of 42.24 with two hundreds and seven half-centuries. Both of his hundreds came against South Africa.

10. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011) :

A former West Indian batting star Shivnarine Chanderpaul was one of the finest cricketers of the previous era. The left-hander was consistent across formats. He played 31 games and scored 970 runs at a batting average of 40.41, with one hundred and seven fifties.

11. Jacques Kallis (1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011) :

Jacques Kallis was probably one of the biggest names that South Africa produced in this game. The all-rounder was a match-winner in both departments of the game. Kallis played in five ODI Cricket World Cup editions between 1996 and 2011. He announced his retirement in 2014. Kallis played 36 games and scored 1148 runs at an average of 45.92, with one hundred and nine half-centuries. He also took 21 wickets with the ball.

12. Muttiah Muralitharan (1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011) :

Legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was also one of the best performers in this tournament. He ended up as the second-highest wicket-taker in ODI Cricket World Cup events, only three behind Glenn McGrath, who was at the top. Murali is also one of the few players to play in three World Cup finals (1996, 2007, and 2011) in his career. He played 40 games and took 68 matches at an average of 19.63, with four four-wicket hauls.

13. Ricky Ponting (1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011) :

Ricky Ponting is only the second captain after Clive Lloyd to lead a country to consecutive World Cup wins. Ponting led Australia to 2003 and 2007 ODI Cricket World Cup wins. Ponting played in most World Cup games and was the second-highest scorer of all time. Ponting played 46 games and scored 1743 runs at 45.86, with five hundred and six half-centuries. His highest score of 140 not out in the 2003 finals was one prime reason that Australia won.

14. Thomas Odoyo (1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011) :

Former Kenyan all-rounder Thomas Odoyo also features in this list. He is one of two players from a non-test-playing nation to play in five ODI Cricket World Cups. Thomas played all five editions from 1996 to 2011. He was one of the reasons Kenya reached the semi-finals in 2003. He played 25 games, scored 463 runs at 24.36 with one hundred, and also took 23 wickets with the ball.

15. Steve Tikolo (1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011) :

Odoyo's teammate, Steve Tikolo, was also part of five ODI World Cup editions for Kenya. He was one of the best players to represent Kenya at the highest level and also captained the team during his career. Tikolo played 28 World Cup matches and scored 768 runs at an average of 29.53, including 8 half-centuries. He also picked up 15 wickets at 34.13.

16. Mahela Jayawardene (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015) :

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene smashed a hundred in the finals in the 2011 World Cup against India. He played five editions between 1999 and 2015 and was a key player in Sri Lanka's success over the years. He played 40 matches in total and scored 1100 runs at 35.48, with four hundred and five half-centuries and a best of 115 not out.

17. Shahid Afridi (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015) :

Shahid Afridi was one of the biggest crowd-pullers in cricket history. He was always in action, whether with the ball or the bat. His big sixes and smart bowling made him one of the favourites of the fans. He was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the 2011 ODI World Cup. Afridi played 27 games and took 30 wickets at an economy rate of 4.51, with a best of 5/16.

18. Chris Gayle (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019):

Chris Gayle is another West Indian star who has played in five editions of the Cricket ODI World Cup. The left-hander made his World Cup debut in 2003 and played until 2019. He played 34 Innings and scored 1186 runs at 35.93 with a best of 215. He scored two hundreds and six half-centuries and one of only two batters with an ODI Double hundred in World Cup history.

19. Shakib Al Hasan (2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023) :

Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been the backbone of his team across formats and is probably the biggest name that they have produced. Shakib made his ODI World Cup debut in 2007 and has played in all five editions since then. So far, he has scored 1146 runs in 29 innings at 45.84 with two hundreds and 10 half-centuries. With the ball, he has taken 37 wickets with a best of 5/29.

20. Mushfiqur Rahim (2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023) :

Shakib's teammate Mushfiqur Rahim is another player for Bangladesh who has now featured in five World Cup editions. The 2023 ODI World Cup is his fifth overall. The wicket-keeper batter is as important to the team as Shakib. Mushfiqur has played 30 games so far and scored 877 runs at 38.13 with one hundred and six half-centuries.