Three players who revolutionized ODI Cricket in the 20th century

Cricket is one of the most followed sport in India and was originated by England in the 18th century. Later, it got developed globally in the 20th and 21st century. West Indies were the champions of the inaugural ODI World cup, held in 1975. The ODI game has evolved a lot in the past few decades. Earlier, a target of 200 runs, was always a tough task to chase but in recent times, we often witness teams chasing a target of 330 runs comfortably.

Here, let's have a look at three players (a captain, a batsman, and a bowler), who have made noteworthy contributions in the revolution of the game.

#1 Arjuna Ranatunga (The captain)

The dynamic Sri Lankan captain is considered to be one of the first captains that exercised the capitalizing the field restrictions, in the initial power-play. Especially in 1996 World cup, Arjuna Ranatunga took the brave step of forming an opening pair of Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana, which turned out to be a master-stroke.

The lethal pair used to attack the bowlers, from the start and it helped Sri Lanka to set a big target in many matches. Such an approach steered Sri Lanka in winning the 1996 world cup and ever since all the teams have adopted this approach.

#2 Douglas Marillier (The Batsman)

The ramp shot inventor

Dougie Marillier is a former Zimbabwean cricketer who is known for his unorthodox technique and credited as the inventor of ramp shot, known as Marillier shot. This shot uses the pace of the ball and flicks the ball over the keeper for a boundary. The shot came into the picture in a match against India, in 2002, where Zimbabwe chased down a near-impossible target of 275, from a position of 233/8.

AB de Villiers and Tillakaratne Dilshan are few cricketers, who have made a lot of runs in their career using the ramp shot. Unfortunately, he had to retire from the international cricket at the young age of 24, due to increased differences with Zimbabwe cricket board but his invention of ramp shot has embedded his name in the cricketing history.

#3 Saqlain Mushtaq (The Bowler)

The Pakistani off-spinner invented a noxious weapon for an off-spinner, doosra

Saqlain Mushtaq is a former Pakistani off-spinner who invented a noxious weapon for an off-spinner, doosra. The off-spin bowling was all about drifting the ball from off side to leg side. But, he contrived a new style of bowling which spins it in the opposite direction, from leg side to offside. With this new skill, he became a strike bowler for Pakistan and troubled a lot of top batsman in the world. He was instrumental in the ICC World Cup 1999 and steered Pakistan into the finals.