To play with the maximum number of different players in international cricket, the cricketers must have to continue his playing activity for a long time. While it is not possible without achieving a good number of successes in international cricket, we can see only legendary players on this list.
While international cricket is more than 140 years old, we have seen the tendency of playing the higher number of international matches for around last 50-40 years, more specifically in last 20-30 years, majorly due to the growth of the limited-overs cricket.
Here we are talking about the top five cricketers who played with the most number of different players in international cricket.
Rahul Dravid (India/Asia XI/ICC World XI): 134 players
The former Indian captain Rahul Dravid was one of the greatest batsmen in international cricket history who was famous for his incredible patience in batting. Apart from his responsible batting, Dravid was also famous for his outstanding fielding, who also spent as a wicket-keeper in ODI cricket for some years.
In his 16 years of international career, Dravid played 509 international matches. Apart from representing the Indian national cricket team (340 ODIs 163 Tests and only T20I), Dravid also played for Asia XI (only ODI) and ICC World XI (three ODIs and only Test). During his international career, the legend played with 134 different players.
In his long international career, the right-handed batsman Dravid scored 24208 runs (average 45.41).
Shoaib Malik (Pakistan/ICC World XI): 136 players
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik is still active in international cricket. Serving the national team from 1999, the all-rounder Malik has played 435 international matches – 35 Tests, 287 ODIs, and 113 T20Is, including one T20I for the ICC World XI.
Malik is one of the top all-rounders in Pakistan cricket history. In his stretched international career, Malik has played along with 136 different players, who played for his team.
In his international career, while the versatile right-handed batsman has scored 11753 runs (average 33.96), the off-spinner has also taken 218 wickets.
Sachin Tendulkar (India): 141 players
The legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was one of the greatest batsmen in world cricket who is still holding many international batting records even after retiring from international cricket more than six years ago. His bat was always busy on the cricket pitches.
While Tendulkar served international cricket for 24 years (1989-2013), he played the record number of international matches (664 matches), including the record number of Test (200 Tests) and ODI matches (463 ODIs) as well as one T20I. During his international career, when he only served for India, he played with 141 different players.
In his international career, the right-handed batsman Tendulkar scored the record number of international runs, which was 34357 runs (average 48.52). He was also a useful right-arm bowler who picked up 201 international wickets.
Chris Gayle (West Indies/ICC World XI): 145 players
The Caribbean all-rounder Chris Gayle is very famous in the cricket world for his aggressive batting. The cricket fans always enjoy his gigantic sixes, which is the natural ability of this left-handed batsman.
Gayle, who made their international debut in 1999, hasn’t officially retired from international cricket yet. He has already played 462 international matches, which is the most number of international matches by a West Indian cricketer. In his international career, he has played 103 Tests, 301 ODIs, and 58 T20Is, including three ODIs for the ICC World XI. In this long international career, Gayle has played with 145 different players.
Gayle has scored 19321 international runs as a left-handed batsman and also taken 257 international wickets as a right-arm off-spinner.
Shahid Afridi (Pakistan/Asia XI/ICC World XI): 151 players
Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi was very famous for his unstoppable aggressive batting and useful speedy leg-spin bowling. He successfully spent around 22 years in international cricket (1996-2018).
Afridi finished as the most-capped international cricketer from Pakistan as he played 524 international matches. Apart from playing 518 international games for Pakistan (27 Tests, 393 ODIs and 98 T20Is), he represented Asia XI in three ODIs and ICC World XI in three international matches (two ODIs and only T20I). During his international career, Afridi played with 151 different players.
The right-handed batsman scored 11196 international runs (average 23.57) and also the leg-spinner took 541 international wickets.