The International Cricket Council (ICC) officially welcomed seven legendary cricketers into its prestigious Hall of Fame during a grand gala at Abbey Road Studios. The 2025 Class of Inductees includes five male and two female icons whose impressive careers have shaped international cricket’s landscape.

Ceremony at the Iconic Abbey Road Studios

The induction event, titled “A Day with the Legends”, was held at London’s historic Abbey Road Studios — famously used by The Beatles. In attendance were cricket luminaries, members of the Hall of Fame voting panel, ICC officials, and captains of teams preparing for the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s. ICC Chair Jay Shah presided over the ceremony, hailing the inductees as players “whose remarkable careers have shaped cricket’s legacy and inspired generations”.

Male Inductees: Cricketing Giants

Matthew Hayden (Australia)

• Formats: 103 Tests (8,625 runs at 50.73), 161 ODIs (6,133 runs at 43.80), 9 T20Is (308 runs at 51.33) 
• Renowned for his explosive batting, Hayden once held the Test record with an unbeaten 380 and finished as the highest run-scorer in the 2007 World Cup, guiding Australia to victory.
• “The ICC Hall of Fame includes many of my heroes of yesteryear… Each of these players gave something to the game,” Hayden reflected.

Hashim Amla (South Africa)

• Formats: 124 Tests (9,282 at 46.64), 181 ODIs (8,113 at 49.46), 44 T20Is (1,277 at 33.60) 
• Revered for his calm demeanor and technical finesse, Amla became the first South African to score a Test triple-century (311* at The Oval, 2012).
• “It is an honour… especially alongside Graeme,” he stated.

MS Dhoni (India)

• Formats: 90 Tests (4,876 at 38.08, 294 dismissals), 350 ODIs (10,773 at 50.57, 444 dismissals), 98 T20Is (1,617 at 37.60, 91 dismissals) 
• Captain Cool remains the only leader to secure all three ICC men’s white-ball trophies: the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup (sealed famously with a helicopter shot), and 2013 Champions Trophy.
• He commented, “To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever.” 

Graeme Smith (South Africa)

• Formats: 117 Tests (9,265 at 48.25), 197 ODIs (6,989 at 37.98), 33 T20Is (982 at 31.67) 
• Appointed captain at just 22, Smith went on to lead in 109 Tests—an unrivaled record—establishing South Africa as a Test powerhouse.
• “This is also a proud moment for South Africa,” Smith remarked.

Daniel Vettori (New Zealand)

• Formats: 113 Tests (4,531 runs at 30.00, 362 wickets), 295 ODIs (2,253 at 17.33, 305 wickets), 34 T20Is (205 at 12.81, 38 wickets) 
• A rare all-rounder, Vettori is among the select few with 4,000+ runs and 300+ Test wickets. He took on national captaincy and later transitioned into coaching.
• Vettori said, “To gain recognition alongside [past inductees] is simply overwhelming”.

Female Inductees: Pioneers of Women’s Cricket

Sana Mir (Pakistan)

• Formats: 120 ODIs (1,630 runs at 17.91, 151 wickets), 106 T20Is (802 runs at 14.07, 89 wickets) 
• A pioneer and Pakistan’s premier woman cricketer, Mir captained her nation and took over 200 wickets. After shifting from pace to off-spin, she topped ICC’s ODI bowling rankings in 2018.
• “From dreaming… to now standing here, inducted among the very legends I idolised… this is a moment I couldn’t have dared to imagine,” reflected Mir.

Sarah Taylor (England)

• Formats: 10 Tests (300 runs at 18.75, 20 dismissals), 126 ODIs (4,056 at 38.26, 138 dismissals), 90 T20Is (2,177 at 29.02, 74 dismissals) 
• Renowned for lightning-fast stumpings and vital runs, Taylor was instrumental in England’s World Cup wins in 2009 (ODI & T20) and 2017.
• “Being inducted… truly feels like a dream come true,” she expressed.

Legacy and Significance

• Total Inductees: The Hall of Fame now honors 122 cricketers since its foundation in 2009.
• Selection Process: Representatives from the ICC, media, and current Hall members vote. Notably, eligibility begins five years post-retirement.
• Timing: The ceremony served as a curtain-raiser for the ICC World Test Championship Final set for 11–15 June at Lord’s.

Global Reaction & Emotional Tributes

• Matthew Hayden’s Daughter: Grace Hayden, paid tribute via Instagram, calling him “a big soft teddy bear” who balanced international rigors with family devotion.
• Sana Mir’s Historic Moment: Mir became the first Pakistani woman to earn this distinction, a landmark in her country’s sporting history.

Looking Ahead

• Inspiration for New Generations: These inductees represent varied eras, playing roles both on and off the field, serving as role models for aspiring cricketers.
• Future Broadcasts: The induction event, broadcast worldwide, bolstered excitement for upcoming international fixtures, including the World Test Championship Final.

Final Word

The insertion of Hayden, Amla, Dhoni, Smith, Vettori, Sana Mir, and Taylor into the Hall of Fame reinforces cricket’s rich history in both men’s and women’s formats. Celebrated for their exceptional records, leadership, and influence, they join an elite collective of legends whose legacies transcend generations. Jay Shah aptly summed it up, calling them “individuals whose remarkable careers… inspired generations.”

By – Sonali