Five Current Cricketers Who Can Comfortably Be Part Of World XI Sides

The ritual of selecting a world XI doesn’t stop ever. From former and current cricketers to millions of fans around the world, they compile the greatest eleven as per their various parameters from time to time. The men to make it to the side have been single-handedly responsible for catapulting their teams to some of the famous victories under excruciating circumstances. Not only that, but such athletes have also played the game in the right spirit.

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As far as the current bunch is concerned, they aren’t distant either. A handful of cricketers have already etched their names on the record books. These athletes often remind us of the players of the 70s and 80s. Due to this, they have earned respect and can comfortably find themselves alongside the elite players of the anachronistic era. In other words, they hold the potential to find a spot among the best eleven in the world.

We take a look at five cricketers from the present time, who can make it to the World XI:

Jasprit Bumrah:

In a short timeframe, Jasprit Bumrah has established himself as one of the best in the current era. When it comes to limited-overs cricket and bowling death overs, only a few stand ahead of him.

Having made his debut in 2016, the lanky pacer has been a trendsetter for India’s ever-improving bowling performances. Bumrah possesses astounding economy rates of 4.56 and 6.67, respectively. Currently, he is ranked number two in ICC ODI rankings for bowlers.

Even in Test cricket, the 26-year old isn’t lagging. With 68 wickets from only 14 fixtures, Bumrah has terrorized batsmen on their turf. His all five-wicket hauls have come overseas, including two in West Indies and one each in Australia, England, and South Africa. Lately, the Ahmedabad-born seamer’s form has dipped. However, the confidence of experts, backing him to bounce back from a slump, is also a hallmark of a world-class cricketer.

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Kane Williamson:

Of all the desirable qualities that Kane Williamson has, composure at whatever he does is the primary reason he deserves a spot. Whether on the crease or fielding as captain, the Kiwi skipper radiates nonchalance that gives the confidence to his teammates. By the time Williamson calls it a day, he would undoubtedly end up as the greatest batsman from New Zealand.

With imposing numbers in all three versions of the game, the right-handed batsman is a part of the current fab-four. Williamson doesn’t have the brute force in him. Instead, the 29-year old relies on skilled hitting and finesse to excel in limited-overs cricket. For a batsman of art, the Tauranga-born has averages of 50.99, 47.48, and 32.64 in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is respectively.

Lastly, sportsmanship is the trait that comfortably separates him from any cricketer in this era. Williamson’s conduct on and off the field under winning or losing circumstances makes him the most adorable figure today. He might as well be a strong contender to captain any World XI.

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Ben Stokes:

Of late, Benjamin Andrew Stokes has become the definition of English cricket. The New Zealand-born all-rounder may not have the numbers in his favour, but it’s the impact he makes on any given day that proves as a difference. In 2019, Stokes was central to England’s World Cup success and saving face at the Ashes, which the hosts could have easily lost.

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His overall bowling Test averages are 36.54 and 32.68. However, in 2019, the all-rounder amassed 821 runs in 11 Tests and took 22 wickets. The 22 scalps came as a result of some laborious efforts during the Ashes and the timings of it couldn’t have been more apt. In ODIs, the 28-year old accumulated 719 runs at 59.92 in 2019, including a tally of 465 in 11 games in World Cup.

One would have to assume that the Englishmen would require another monumental effort from Stokes if they are to lift the T20 World Cup later this year for the second time. If he continues this trend of consistency, Ben Stokes might find himself in the league of Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Richard Hadlee, and Imran Khan by the time he hangs up his boots.

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Steve Smith:

Any current world Test line-up is incomplete without the presence of Steve Smith. His eye-catching performances and run-scoring at a jaw-dropping rate in any conditions are enough for him to gatecrash into any world eleven. Smith possesses an unorthodox batting technique through which he has found a way to be on a run-scoring spree.

Missing cricket in most of 2018 couldn’t act as a deterrent to his run-scoring ability. When he wore the whites in 2019 for Australia, the 31-year old continued from where he left. For the most part in Ashes 2019, Smith flattened England on their turf by clobbering 774 runs in four Tests. He played an integral role in Australia sneaking out of England with respect and with the urn.

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The New South Wales batsman’s average of 62.84 in 73 Tests is the second-highest for all the active batsmen in red-ball cricket. Also, his records and the fact that he is proficient in playing spin flags that Smith can find a spot in world eleven to dethrone the sub-continent counterparts. Additionally, the 31-year old is a skilled fieldsman, capable of pulling off screamers at slip-cordon.

As far as white-ball cricket goes, the right-handed batsman hasn’t precisely hit his strides. Smith averages 42.47 in ODIs and 29.61 in T20Is, which indicates that he is no mug either. The Australian is a big-match player, especially when it comes to knockout games in ICC ODI tournaments.

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Virat Kohli:

It should come as no surprise why Virat Kohli is widely acclaimed as the best batsman among the current lot. Perhaps, when former elite cricketers draw comparisons between Kohli and the West Indian great Viv Richards, it is reason enough to believe that the former has attained unparalleled heights. When the Indian captain wears the blue jersey in either format, he breathes fire and is always on a mission.

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Kohli is perhaps the only cricketer in the present time to average easily over 50 in all three formats. With 43 centuries in 248 ODIs, the 31-year old looks on track to complete a tally of 50, overtaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 hundreds. And it undeniably would be one of the many records that he overhauls by the time Kohli gets there.

The Delhi batsman is also a giant as far as red-ball format goes. His aggressive demeanour has transformed the attitude of the Indian team, which has aimed to earn victory solely. The Delhi batsman captained the men in blue to their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018. In 86 Tests, he has 7240 runs at 53.6. Without a doubt, Kohli’s winning attitude and expertise with the bat is a strong reason why he can be guaranteed a place in the world eleven sides.

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