Top Cricketers of the Modern World
The Best ODI XI of the Modern Era
Every team has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some teams are reliant on their spinners while some strongly believe in their pacers. Some teams feel comfortable chasing down totals, whilst some feel comfortable putting runs on the board at first. Each team has its own mantra to success.But there is one thing that remains in common for all teams - the presence of authentic match-winners. Each team has one or two players who on their day can win the team a match single-handedly. Here, in this article, I sift through the numbers and statistics to form the world's strongest ODI XI of the current era.
1 -David Warner
The most explosive opener in limited-overs cricket currently - David Warner. On his day, the left-hander from Australia can tear apart any bowling attack and provide a blistering start to the innings, thereby laying a solid foundation for the middle order batsmen to come.With 14 centuries to his name at an impressive strike-rate and average of 96.55 and 43 respectively, it is difficult to make an ODI team without David Warner.
2 - Kane Williamson (Captain
Kane Williamson will open the innings alongside David Warner. While Warner will provide the team with some quick-fire starts, Williamson can play the anchor-role to perfection and provide stability to the whole innings. Taking into consideration his leadership skills and tactical decisions, I've also appointed the Kiwi batsman as the captain of my team.
With 5157 runs in 121 innings averaging 46.88, Kane Williamson is often regarded as one of the most consistent batsmen in ODI cricket.
3 - Virat Kohli
The No.1 ranked ODI batsman in the world at the moment, Virat Kohli literally steps into any team with any questioning. His passion and love for the game are of no match.
Kohli's exceptional record in run-chases and ability to soak up the pressure also make him stand out from the others. The Indian captain is the only player in the world to average more than 50 in all three formats of the game.
With 9588 runs in 200 ODI innings at an average of 58.11, King Kohli takes the one down position in this team.
4 - AB De Villiers
Undoubtedly, Abraham Benjamin de Villiers will be the No. 4 batsman in my side. Just like Virat Kohli, Mr 360° has also proven himself in ODI cricket. AB averages 53.5 in 218 innings which he has played so far at a strike-rate of 101.1.
His experience and innovate shot making skills would prove to be vital in the middle order. He along with Virat Kohli could string in a partnership in the middle and guide his team to an easy victory.
5 - Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes seems to be the ideal all-round option when it comes to limited-overs cricket. His ability to get in some powerful hits towards the end of the innings would drive the team towards big totals. He averages 35.82 for his national team England and plays at a strike-rate of 96.24!
Stokes can also provide 10 quality overs of medium-pace in the middle as well, and restrict the batsmen from playing their shots. He has taken 58 wickets in 55 innings so far, at an economy rate of 6.01.
Though he hasn't had a very good IPL 2018, the stylish left-hander can be trusted for sure.
6 - MS Dhoni (WK)
Certainly the best wicket-keeper batsman of this era, MS Dhoni will bat at No. 6 for my team. Dhoni acclimatizes according to the situation very well. He can play the anchor-role for his team if wickets go down early, and can also play the finisher's role to perfection.
He will be contemplated as one of the greatest ODI players in Indian cricketing history for sure. MS has scored 9967 runs in 272 innings thus far, at an exceptional average of 51.38 coming down the order. Need not say anything about him behind the stumps, he is of no match when it comes to wicket-keeping.
7 - Mitchell Santner
Mitchell Santner will be the only bowling all-rounder in my team. Coming in to bat at No. 7, Santner can definitely finish off the innings alongside MS Dhoni. He averages 28.56 in ODI cricket and plays at a strike-rate of 91.13.
Moreover, the Kiwi all-rounder can spin a web along with Rashid Khan in the middle overs and pick up wickets at regular intervals as well. Santner has taken 59 wickets in 50 innings at an economy rate of 4.90 for the Black Caps. He is also ranked at No. 12 in the ICC ODI Bowlers Rankings.
8 - Rashid Khan
Arguably the world's best leg-break bowler at the moment, Rashid Khan makes way at No. 8 in my team. The 19-year-old Afghanistani bowler has mesmerized everybody with his leg-breaks and googlies.
Presently ranked No.2 in the ICC ODI Bowlers Rankings, Rashid Khan has picked up a total of 100 wickets in just 42 innings in ODI cricket at a phenomenal average and strike-rate of 14.4 & 21.81 respectively. He can prove to be the X-Factor in this side.
9 - Mitchell Starc
Certainly the best left-arm pacer in the world at the moment, Mitchell Starc makes way for himself in my team. Starc has taken 141 wickets in 72 matches for Australia so far, at a very good economy rate of 4.93 and strike-rate of 25.48.
He will be a very important asset to the team and will share the bowl with Jasprit Bumrah at the death and Trent Boult in the powerplay, thereby restrict the batsmen from playing their shots.
10 - Trent Boult
The 28-year-old speedster from New Zealand will be the second main pacer in my team. Trent Boult, who is currently ranked at No. 5 in the ICC ODI Bowlers Rankings, along with Starc will open the bowling attack in the powerplay. Just like Starc, even Boult has the ability to swing the new bowl and take wickets upfront.
Boult has sent the batsmen back to the pavilion 122 times in 66 ODI matches for the Black Caps and has bowled at an impressive economy rate of 5.09. He also is a great athlete and a very safe fielder.
11 - Jasprit Bumrah
Presently ranked No. 1 in the ICC ODI Bowlers Rankings, Jasprit Bumrah walks into my team as well. His ability to execute the yorkers to perfection, bowl the slower balls and also the deadly bouncer makes him the best death bowler in the world.
Boom Boom Bumrah has taken 64 wickets in 37 matches for India with best figures of 27/5 against Sri Lanka. He has bowled at a terrific economy rate of 4.65 and strike-rate of 29.05, thereby taking a minimum of two wickets every match.
Author Bio
Sparsh Telang is huge a young blogger and YouTuber. He is a huge analyst and fan of cricket.
Twitter - @SparshTelang
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