Cricket Addictor's Best ODI XI Of The Decade

Best ODI XI Of The Decade: One-day international (ODI) cricket is undoubtedly one of the oldest formats of the game. The past decade witnessed the 50-over cricket grow leaps and bounds with the T20 version taking shape in an advanced stage. Additionally, the powerplay rules also went through a change. These two main factors contributed to the batters having a slight wood over the bowlers. Despite that, the bowlers didn’t hold back and gave the cricketing fraternity several memories to cherish.

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The decade also comprised of three World Cup tournaments, all of which gave way for a new set of players who established themselves as the vital cog of their line-ups. If two 50-over World Cups weren’t enough, there took place two Champions Trophy competitions which observed a handful of records getting rewritten. Not only this, but the decade also saw the overwhelming rise of the associate teams who proved as heavyweights on many occasions. These 50-over editions depict that One-day cricket is holding its own and keeps strengthening every year.

As this decade is on the brink of closure, we take a look at Cricket Addictor’s best ODI XI of the decade:

Rohit Sharma:

To think what may have transpired had Rohit Sharma not promoted to the opening position, seems overwhelming. Before opening the innings for India, the Mumbai batsman batted in the middle or lower order and couldn’t showcase his potential. Since getting promoted to the top-order, Rohit has enjoyed a sensational turnaround of fortunes. He currently sits number two in the ICC ODI batting rankings.

The 32–year old has amassed 6977 runs at an average of 58.14 in 135 innings while opening the innings. Since the year 2013, the elegant right-hander has at least 50 till date, having also hammered three double-centuries during the tenure. With a phenomenal record of 8944 runs in 221 games under his belt, Rohit Sharma will open the innings.

Hashim Amla:

A batsman who is often known for his calm demeanour and effortless run-scoring, Hashim Amla has etched his name as one of the prolific run-scorers in One-day cricket. While opening the innings, the 36-year old averages 49.90 in 175 innings with 8083 runs. After shining in the Test arena, there remained doubts over whether he can replicate the same in the limited-overs version.

He dismissed all the doubts by extending his dominance in ODIs by scoring 1058 runs in 15 games in 2010. Amla’s best year in ODIs was the year 2012 when he scored 678 runs in only ten matches at a staggering average of 84.75. The 36-year old is the fastest to get to 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 runs in ODI cricket. With 8113 in 181 50-over fixtures, the retired South African will partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the order.

Virat Kohli:

Rarely has any player dominated ODI cricket at number three position like Virat Kohli has and still continues to. Having made his debut in 2008, the current Indian captain took a few years to solidify his spot in the line-up. However, once done, only a handful of batsmen ever came close to toppling him as the best ODI batsman of the era. It wouldn’t be wrong to refer Virat Kohli as the “Bradman of One-day cricket” when he calls it quits.

Perhaps the passion, ambition, fitness levels, and the technique sets Kohli apart from his peers. The 31-year old is currently on the seventh position for all-time highest run-getters in ODIs with 11609 runs at an average of 59.84. It is only a matter of time before the Delhi batsman gets to the top, overthrowing his countryman Sachin Tendulkar.

Babar Azam:

Although Babar Azam made his debut in the year 2015, he has made rapid strides to affirm his spot as the mainstay in Pakistan’s line-up, irrespective of the format. The 25-year old, in just four years, has catapulted himself to number three in ICC ODI rankings. Babar is best known for his flamboyant cover drive that radiates nothing but plenty of confidence and elegance.

In recent times, when the national team has been struggling to find their feet, the Lahore-born batsman has often waged a lone fight to keep them afloat. Averaging over 50, having a dependable reputation and being level-headed, Babar Azam will bat at number four in the line-up.

AB De Villiers:

Few batsmen have changed the complexion of the limited-overs cricket and redefined the concept of power-hitting like Abraham Benjamin De Villiers has. The retired Proteas batsman is the finest addition to any limited-overs side, capable of taking any bowling attack to the cleaners. It is for this reason that De Villiers is known as the 360-degree batsman since he can clear any part of the ground with ease from any part of the crease.

During the past decade, the 35-year old created the record for the fastest fifty, fastest hundred, and the fastest fifty all at the same time. At number five, De Villiers finds the perfect platform to launch an onslaught, having a career strike rate of 101.09. In 228 ODI fixtures, the South African has 9577 runs under his belt at 53.50.

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MS Dhoni (c & wk):

In the past decade, no other captain has enjoyed more success in white-ball cricket as much as Mahendra Singh Dhoni has. The Indian team, under the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman, won the 2011 World Cup and the Champions Trophy in 2013 to continue their success from the 2007 ICC World T20. Under his watch, the men in blue also managed to make it to the semi-finals of the 2015 World Cup, 2016 ICC World T20, and the finals of the 2014 ICC World T20.

The 38-year old is not only known for his brave and innovative captaincy skills, but also his lightning-fast ability behind the stumps. With the bat, the Ranchi-born can lend the perfect finish to any innings through his hard-hitting as well as calculatingly constructing a knock to script a victory, which he has done on several occasions. Having a splendid record as a captain, MS Dhoni will captain the team.

Shakib Al-Hasan:

Bangladesh cricket has produced very few gem cricketers ever since their inception. Undoubtedly Shakib Al-Hasan has contributed heavily in all facets towards their nation becoming a competitive side. The 32-year old all-rounder can play as a floater batsman in any format and can still produce runs according to the situation.

The southpaw’s promotion to number three was a masterstroke in the recently concluded World Cup. Shakib played an instrumental in scaling a mammoth chase of 322 successfully against West Indies. He finished the tournament as the third-highest run-getter with 606 runs from eight games at an outrageous average of 86.57. With his off-spin, Shakib chipped in with 11 scalps from eight games.

With over 6000 runs and over 250 wickets in 206 ODI matches, the experienced all-rounder gives the side the much-needed flexibility. Shakib Al Hasan is currently prohibited from playing cricket since he has been for two years for failing to report a bookie approaching him.

Mitchell Starc:

The left-arm speedster is one of the most effective new-ball bowlers today. Fans may not have seen Mitchell Starc more frequently in recent times in white-ball cricket, given his struggle with injuries repeatedly. However, in his limited appearances, Starc has made a telling impact with the ball.

The 29-year old has a unique record of not going wicketless in any World Cup match. As such, Starc finished as the highest wicket-taker in 2015 and 2019 World Cup with 22 and 27 wickets respectively. Not only with the new ball, but the New South Wales-born can also unleash the inswinging yorkers at a searing pace in the death overs. In 85 ODI fixtures, Starc has 172 wickets under his belt at an average of 20.99.

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Lasith Malinga:

If yorker had its finest exponent, it has to be Lasith Malinga. Known for delivering yorkers in any stage of the innings, the right-arm pacer can also deceive the best in the business through his slower deliveries and bouncers. In a 50-over career spanning 15 years, the 36-year old has fought off several injuries but came back strongly to lead Sri Lanka to some remarkable victories.

The Galle-born speedster scripted one of the greatest victories for Sri Lanka when they gunned down World Cup favourites England in the 2019 World Cup. The win came on the back of a four-wicket haul by Malinga as Sri Lanka bowled out the hosts for 212 in reply to their total of 232. A veteran of 226 ODIs with 338 scalps, Lasith Malinga will be one of the three fast bowlers in this line-up. He retired from ODIs in July 2019.

Trent Boult:

One of the many unparalleled joys this decade has given is Mitchell Starc and Trent Boult, two of the best left-arm quicks firing from all the cylinders for their respective teams. The Kiwi left-arm possesses the ability to move the ball either way even on lifeless decks. Having made his ODI debut in 2012, Boult partnered with Tim Southee to form one of the lethal new-ball bowling combinations.

The 30-year old was the joint-highest wicket-taker in World Cup 2015, having taken 22 wickets. He also played an integral role in 2019 World Cup, snapping 17 wickets in ten games, including a hat-trick against Australia. With 164 games in 84 matches, Trent Boult will bowl in tandem with Mitchell Starc.

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Imran Tahir:

The past decade saw plenty of finger spinners come and go by; however, there were very few recognised and impactful leg-spinners. Among all the off-spinners, Imran Tahir roared every time with his wicket-taking deliveries and animated celebrations. The fact that South Africa rarely produced any quality spinner, having Imran Tahir gave them an edge in their bowling attack.

Ever since his debut in 2011, the leggie has produced performances, worthy enough of his selection, averaging in between the mid-30s every year. In the 2019 World Cup, Tahir was used as a new-ball bowler and yielded fruitful results, notably bouncing out Jonny Bairstow and Aaron Finch cheaply.

The Pakistan-born spinner quit ODI cricket at the end of that tournament; however, he went down as one of the best spinners of the decade. Nevertheless, he continues to play T20s for the national team. With 173 scalps from 107 ODIs, Imran Tahir is the lone frontline spinner in this line-up.

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