Cricket demands skill, resilience, and longevity, and few players have managed to sustain elite-level careers over decades. From Sachin Tendulkar’s unparalleled 24-year journey to Sean Williams’ enduring presence, these cricketers have defied time, showcasing skill, adaptability, and an unrelenting passion for the game.
Here is a list of the top 10 modern cricketers who have played an international match in the 2010s, with the longest international careers, showcasing their remarkable staying power in the sport.
- Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 24 Years, 1 Day (1989–2013)
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the longest international cricket career. Debuting at 16 against Pakistan in 1989, Tendulkar’s journey spanned 200 Tests, 463 ODIs, and a solitary T20I, amassing 34,357 runs and 100 international centuries. His adaptability across formats and eras, from facing Wasim Akram to dominating Shane Warne, cements his legacy as cricket’s ultimate legend.
- Collins Obuya (Kenya) – 22 Years, 221 Days (2001–2024)
A Kenyan cricket stalwart, Collins Obuya debuted in 2001 and remained a cornerstone of Kenya’s cricketing efforts. Known for his leg-spin and gritty batting, he played 104 ODIs and 75 T20Is. He was also a part of Kenya’s 2003 World Cup semi-final run.
- Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 22 Years, 56 Days (1999–2021)
Chris Gayle redefined power-hitting across 103 Tests, 301 ODIs, and 79 T20Is. Debuting in 1999, Gayle’s career featured 19,593 international runs, including two Test triple-centuries and the first-ever T20I hundred. His swagger and dominance, especially in T20 leagues, kept him relevant until his final international outing in 2021.
- Shoaib Malik (Pakistan) – 22 Years, 37 Days (1999–2021)
Shoaib Malik’s versatility as a batter and off-spinner ensured a prolonged career across 35 Tests, 287 ODIs, and 124 T20Is. Debuting as a teenager in 1999, he evolved from a middle-order anchor to a T20 specialist, contributing to Pakistan’s 2009 T20 World Cup triumph. His adaptability and fitness made him a constant presence.
- Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 21 Years, 241 Days (1996–2018)
Known for his explosive batting and crafty leg-spin, Afridi’s career spanned 27 Tests, 398 ODIs, and 99 T20Is. Debuting in 1996 against Kenya, he also smashed a record-breaking 37-ball ODI century versus Sri Lanka in the same year and became an instant fan favorite.
- James Anderson (England) – 21 Years, 210 Days (2002–2024)
England’s swing bowling maestro, James Anderson, debuted in 2002 and played 188 Tests, 194 ODIs, and 19 T20Is until his retirement in 2024. With 704 Test wickets, the most by any fast bowler, he mastered conditions worldwide. His relentless work ethic and subtle skill kept him at the top into his 40s.
- Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 21 Years, 184 Days (1989–2011)
Sanath Jayasuriya, a swashbuckling opener, revolutionized ODI batting with his aggressive approach in the 1996 World Cup for Sri Lanka. Jayasuriya’s career included 110 Tests, 445 ODIs, and 31 T20Is, amassing 21,032 runs and 440 wickets with his left-arm spin. His final international appearance in 2011 capped a remarkable career.
- Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) – 21 Years, 47 Days (1994–2015)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s unorthodox batting and steely resolve defined his 164 Tests, 268 ODIs, and 22 T20Is. Debuting in 1994, he scored 20,988 international runs, including 11,867 in Tests, often anchoring the West Indies’ batting.Â
- Sean Williams (Zimbabwe) – 20 Years, 58 Days (2005–Ongoing)
Sean Williams, still active as of April 2025, debuted in 2005 and has played 17 Tests, 162 ODIs and 81 T20Is for Zimbabwe. A versatile left-handed batter and a spinner, he has been Zimbabwe’s backbone of this generation, scoring over 8,000 international runs.Â
- Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) – 19 Years, 333 Days (2005–Ongoing)
Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper-batter, still playing international cricket, debuted in 2005 against England at Lord’s. Rahim has played 94 Tests, 274 ODIs and 102 T20Is, scoring over 15,000 runs, including three Test double-centuries, a record for a wicket-keeper.
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