3 Cricketers who played international cricket in three different roles
AB de Villiers during a post-match presentation ceremony (Source: Getty Images)
Published - 23 Aug 2026, 03:47 AM• Read time - 2 mins
Cricket is one such sport that requires a player to be decent in all three departments, irrespective of their roles in the team. There are primarily three specialist roles a player is divided into, namely specialist batters, bowlers and wicketkeepers.
While most players specialise in just one department, a handful of players have stood up for their teams in the time of need and made contributions in all three disciplines at the international level. While batting was their primary skill, these cricketers also bowled and kept wickets for their respective countries.
Here are the top three players who played international cricket in all three roles:
1. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers is widely regarded as one of the most versatile cricketers of his generation. The South African superstar made his international debut as a batter but also kept wickets on several occasions for his team.
De Villiers kept wicket in all three formats for South Africa and was also used as a part-time bowler, taking two Test wickets and seven ODI wickets.
His ability to change roles according to the team's requirements made him one of South Africa's most valuable players.
2. Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid is best remembered as one of India's greatest Test batters, but the former captain also spent a significant period of his career as a wicketkeeper-batter in limited-overs cricket.
Dravid took up wicketkeeping duties for India during the late 1990s and early 2000s, allowing the team to accommodate an additional specialist batter in the XI. The off-spinner also bowled occasionally, taking one Test and four ODI wickets during his international career.
3. Brendan Taylor
Zimbabwe's Brendan Taylor is another player who’s a part of the elite list, having done batting, wicketkeeping and occasional bowling in his international career.
Taylor is one of Zimbabwe's leading batters and has also undertaken wicketkeeping responsibilities across formats. He has often made valuable contributions with the bat while being a reliable hand behind the stumps.