Top 10 cricketers of 2000s who ruled hearts before Instagram age

Top 10 most loved cricketers from the 2000s before social media (Photo Source: Twitter)

In today’s era, everything is live-streamed and instantly shared online, giving fans immediate access to every moment in cricket. But back in the 2000s, television viewership was rapidly growing, and fans connected with their favorite players in a more personal yet distant way. There were no viral tweets or Instagram stories, just pure passion, cheers from living rooms, and posters on bedroom walls. Even without social media, these cricketers found a permanent place in the hearts of fans. Here, let us look at the top ten players who ruled hearts before the Instagram age.

Top 10 cricketers of the 2000s who ruled hearts before Instagram

1. Sachin Tendulkar

1. Sachin Tendulkar, 2. Brian Lara, 3. Graeme Smith, 4. Rahul Dravid, 5. Ricky Ponting, 6. Muttiah Muralitharan, 7. Andrew Flintoff, 8. Shane Warne, 9. Brett Lee, 10. Jacques Kallis

Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is widely revered as the ‘God of Cricket’ and one of the greatest cricketers in history. His insatiable hunger for runs and unwavering presence on the field inspired millions. In the 2000s, fans across India would proudly hang his posters in their homes and treat his innings as festivals. He was not just a cricketer, but was a national emotion.

2. Brian Lara

1. Sachin Tendulkar, 2. Brian Lara, 3. Graeme Smith, 4. Rahul Dravid, 5. Ricky Ponting, 6. Muttiah Muralitharan, 7. Andrew Flintoff, 8. Shane Warne, 9. Brett Lee, 10. Jacques Kallis

Brian Lara. (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

The elegant left-hander Brian Lara mesmerised fans with his stylish stroke play. His unbeaten 400 in Tests still stands as the highest individual score in Test history. Even today, he commands deep respect among players, like when Wiaan Mulder chose not to break Lara’s record of the highest individual score in a Test innings out of admiration. His legacy transcends generations and live longer till today.

3. Graeme Smith

1. Sachin Tendulkar, 2. Brian Lara, 3. Graeme Smith, 4. Rahul Dravid, 5. Ricky Ponting, 6. Muttiah Muralitharan, 7. Andrew Flintoff, 8. Shane Warne, 9. Brett Lee, 10. Jacques Kallis

Graeme Smith. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Graeme Smith was appointed South Africa’s captain at a very young age and faced early skepticism. However, he proved his doubters wrong with sheer determination. His dominance as an opener and tactical brilliance as a leader took the Proteas to new heights. Smith’s era laid the foundation for South Africa’s stronghold in world cricket and dominance attracted fans all over the world.

4. Rahul Dravid

1. Sachin Tendulkar, 2. Brian Lara, 3. Graeme Smith, 4. Rahul Dravid, 5. Ricky Ponting, 6. Muttiah Muralitharan, 7. Andrew Flintoff, 8. Shane Warne, 9. Brett Lee, 10. Jacques Kallis

Rahul Dravid (Source: X)

Rahul Dravid was nicknamed ‘The Wall’ and was the pillar of India's batting line-up. His patience, technique, and calm temperament made him a role model for aspiring cricketers. Dravid excelled in challenging conditions, especially in Test cricket, earning respect as the ultimate team player and a symbol of resilience.

5. Ricky Ponting

1. Sachin Tendulkar, 2. Brian Lara, 3. Graeme Smith, 4. Rahul Dravid, 5. Ricky Ponting, 6. Muttiah Muralitharan, 7. Andrew Flintoff, 8. Shane Warne, 9. Brett Lee, 10. Jacques Kallis

Ricky Ponting (Photo Source : Getty Images)

Ricky Ponting is one of the most successful captains in cricket history, leading Australia with intensity and dominance. Under his leadership, Australia was a cricketing juggernaut, feared by opponents. He was known for his aggressive style and winning mentality, which helped him lift multiple ICC trophies and inspire an entire generation of Aussie cricketers.

6. Muttiah Muralitharan

1. Sachin Tendulkar, 2. Brian Lara, 3. Graeme Smith, 4. Rahul Dravid, 5. Ricky Ponting, 6. Muttiah Muralitharan, 7. Andrew Flintoff, 8. Shane Warne, 9. Brett Lee, 10. Jacques Kallis

Muttiah Muralitharan

Muttiah Muralitharan remains the highest wicket-taker in international cricket. His unconventional off-spin baffled batters across the globe. A vital figure in Sri Lanka’s cricketing rise, Muralitharan's records continue to stand tall. Even today, young spinners look up to him as a benchmark of greatness.

7. Andrew Flintoff

1. Sachin Tendulkar, 2. Brian Lara, 3. Graeme Smith, 4. Rahul Dravid, 5. Ricky Ponting, 6. Muttiah Muralitharan, 7. Andrew Flintoff, 8. Shane Warne, 9. Brett Lee, 10. Jacques Kallis

Andrew Flintoff. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Andrew Flintoff brought fire and flair to English cricket. He is known for his powerful all-round performances and raw passion, and played a key role in England's resurgence, especially during the 2000s. His charismatic personality and on-field aggression made him a fan favorite, while his humor off the field kept audiences entertained.

8. Shane Warne

1. Sachin Tendulkar, 2. Brian Lara, 3. Graeme Smith, 4. Rahul Dravid, 5. Ricky Ponting, 6. Muttiah Muralitharan, 7. Andrew Flintoff, 8. Shane Warne, 9. Brett Lee, 10. Jacques Kallis

Shane Warne. (Photo Source: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Shane Warne revolutionised leg-spin bowling at a time when fast bowlers dominated. His mastery over spin and psychological edge over batters made him one of the greatest match-winners in history. With his larger-than-life presence, Warne attracted fans from around the world and left a lasting legacy in the cricketing world.

9. Brett Lee

1. Sachin Tendulkar, 2. Brian Lara, 3. Graeme Smith, 4. Rahul Dravid, 5. Ricky Ponting, 6. Muttiah Muralitharan, 7. Andrew Flintoff, 8. Shane Warne, 9. Brett Lee, 10. Jacques Kallis

Brett Lee. ( Photo Source - Getty Images)

Brett Lee captivated fans with his express pace and relentless energy. A key weapon in Australia’s bowling arsenal, Lee delivered vital breakthroughs and was known for his sportsmanship and showmanship alike. His consistent speed and attacking mindset made him a standout performer on the world stage.

10. Jacques Kallis

1. Sachin Tendulkar, 2. Brian Lara, 3. Graeme Smith, 4. Rahul Dravid, 5. Ricky Ponting, 6. Muttiah Muralitharan, 7. Andrew Flintoff, 8. Shane Warne, 9. Brett Lee, 10. Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Jacques Kallis was the perfect all-rounder, solid with the bat, dependable with the ball, and calm under pressure. He was the cornerstone of South African cricket for over a decade. Kallis’ quiet determination and unmatched consistency earned him admiration as one of the most complete cricketers the game has ever seen.

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