All time right handers ODI XI

All time right handers ODI XI: ODI cricket has changed to such an extent that it is almost unrecognisable from the version that was first introduced to cricket audiences on January 5, 1971. In the early years of the format, a run-rate of 4 an over was considered a challenging one, with the batsmen approaching the game rather conservatively, but as the times have evolved the 50 over game has taken many turns. The right handers have always stood out with some memorable shows in the limited overs format. It does not take rocket science to tell you that no single parameter can be sufficient to decide the best right-handed ODI players. But we are ready to stick our neck out and name the all time best ODI eleven of Right Handers.

Here is the All time right handers ODI XI:

1. Sachin Tendulkar:

No discussion on great ODI batsmen can begin with any name other than Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. And can we ever debate his place! Perhaps on another planet folks, not here. Tendulkar is by far one the best batsmen to have taken the field along with Sir Don Bradman. In a total of 463 ODIs which is also the highest for any player the little champion has amassed 18246 runs with an average of 44.83 and a strike rate of 86.23 which includes 49 centuries and 96 fifties. He is the first batsman in the history of ODI cricket to make a double century.

2. Hashim Amla:

An elegant stroke-player blessed with the temperament to make the most of his talent, Hashim Amla is the fastest to 23 ODI centuries till date. His critics might say he is a bit sedate and slow but a strike rate of 88.09 simply makes their argument fall flat on its face. A quiet man, there is no doubting Amla’s immense hunger for runs. He is a treat to watch when he stands up tall to play those forcing shots off the back-foot, or when he is tucking it off his pads nonchalantly through the on side.

3. Ricky Ponting (C):

Probably the greatest batsman from down under after the legendary Sir Don, Ricky averages over 42 for his 13704 runs. A strike over 80 coupled with immaculate defence ensured the bowlers seldom had any answers to his shots. One of the finest batsmen produced by the highly rated Australian domestic circuit, Ponting has also been regarded as one of the best thinkers in the game. A resume which consists of two World Cup triumphs as skipper and the honour of being captain of the longest reigning number one Test team, ‘Punter’ finds himself in the pantheon of Aussie greats. He is the undisputed leader of our ODI XI.

4. Sir Vivian Richards:

His stats are impressive enough as they are, but they become even better when put into perspective by comparing with the par numbers during his playing days. Viv’s career spanned for 16 years, from 1975 to 1991, and he finished with a career average of 47 and a strike rate of 90.2 runs per 100 balls. But during the period in which he played one-day internationals (from his first game to the last), the batting average in ODIs for the top seven batsmen was 29.38, while the average strike rate was a mere 65.96. This shows that he was a class apart and in a league of his own.

5. AB de Villiers:

A batsman of breathtaking skills and enterprise, plus the temperament required to back up his creative intent, AB is a modern great. A fielder able to leap tall buildings and still come up with the catch, a wicket-keeper who is perfectly at ease donning the pads and gloves. If you get me something which AB de Villiers cannot do you are a genius. But till then he occupies that spot. In the 228 ODIs, he has 9577 runs at an average over 53.5 But what stands out is the strike rate of 101.1 He plays at the number five position in the eleven.

6. MS Dhoni (wicket-keeper):

Barring Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni is arguably the most popular and definitely the most scrutinised cricketer from India. He symbolizes a style of play that scales the highs and lows of both conservatism and unorthodoxy. Aggressive without being brash, successful without being arrogant, and seemingly possessing a Midas touch, Dhoni is without a doubt one of the greatest finishers in ODI cricket. His 183 not out against Sri Lanka is the highest score by a wicketkeeper in ODIs. He has more than 9000 ODI runs from 318 games at an average over 50 and an impressive strike rate of 88.41

7. Imran Khan:

Few would dispute that Imran was the finest cricketer Pakistan has produced, or the biggest heart-throb. He gave cricket in the subcontinent the real appealing factor in the 1970s and 1980s. He changed the attitude with which pace bowling was perceived in the subcontinent. Renowned for his leadership skills Imran believed in leading from the front. And many wanted to emulate Imran and his leap, his reverse-swinging Yorkers and what not!! A batting average of 33 and a bowling average of 26 with 182 wickets from 175 games leaves us with no option but to include this Pakistani great in the all-rounder’s spot.

8. Brett Lee:

In an era where medium pace bowling and mediocrity were generally accepted, Brett Lee stood out with his ability to take wickets with raw pace. He went on to become one of Australia’s biggest weapons post the retirements of greats like Glen McGrath and Shane Warne. With a menacing run up and ability to bowl at 150+ kph on a regular basis, Lee took a total of 380 wickets from 221 ODIs at an average just over 23 and an economy of 4.7. He provides this XI genuine pace quotient. He also recorded a hat-trick, the first by an Australian at a World Cup, when he got 3 dismissals in 3 balls against Kenya.

9. Waqar Younis:

Former Pakistani great, who is considered to be one of the best fast bowlers to have played the game, Waqar’s ability to reverse swing the ball at lightning speeds helped him scalp 416 ODI wickets in his career. Nicknamed ‘The Burewala Express’, Waqar represents one half of ‘The Two W’s’ – a term coined to describe the bowling partnership between him and Wasim Akram. In the 262 ODIs played he averaged 23.6 with an exemplary strike rate of just over 30. Waqar was famous for his toe crushing Yorkers which were lethal in the death overs.

10. Muttiah Muralitharan:

Perhaps no cricketer has polarised opinion quite like Muttiah Muralitharan. For the believers, he’s among the greatest to ever spin a ball and for the doubters he is just a chucker undeserving of any praise heaped upon him over the years. What was undeniable though was his ability to turn the ball sharply on just about any surface, and bowl the sort of marathon spells that he did. Whether Sri Lanka played at home, on pitches where he was often unplayable, or overseas, Murali was the go-to man for half a dozen captains. He is the highest wicket taker in ODIs with 534 scalps from 350 games at an impressive average of 23. A strike rate of 35 is enough to highlight the class difference between him and others.

11. Glenn McGrath:

McGrath was the one who proved the world you do not need to intimidate the batsmen with your pace to take wickets. He caused a different kind of intimidation altogether. One which resulted in batsmen not being sure of playing or leaving deliveries outside off stump. He did nothing extraordinary but kept bowling in the ‘corridor of uncertainity’ and forced the batsmen to make mistakes. His impeccable line and length made it difficult for the batsmen to take him on. McGrath took 381 wickets from 250 ODIs at an average of 22 and a fantastic economy of 3.8 runs per over.

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