<strong>Best Indian ODI XI post 2003:</strong> Test cricket has always been regarded as the purest form of cricket and the T20 format has become the newest brainchild of cricket. But between these two formats, there is the One Day Internationals which has its own special place for the cricket fans. While Test cricket is all about temperament, T20 is about the aggression and innovation; ODI cricket is certainly a blend of the two and we have the best of both worlds when it comes to ODI cricket.

For the Indian fans, the World Cup 2003 final was certainly a big heartbreak. A billion hopes crashed by about 125 runs. Indian cricket has come a long way since then and has definitely improved. The improvement has been such that India went on to win the World Cup 2011 and is currently placed at number 2 in the ODI rankings. The journey has not been easy and there have been great performers taking the team ahead.

Here is one such consolidated list of who we think deserve to be in the list of <strong>Best Indian ODI XI post 2003:</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Virender-Sehwag-of-India-GettyImages-153246773.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-37525" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Virender-Sehwag-of-India-GettyImages-153246773.jpg" alt="Virender Sehwag of India" width="650" height="484" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-37525" class="wp-caption-text">Virender Sehwag. (© Getty Images)</figcaption>

The aggressive batsman from Najafgarh who made his debut way back in 1999 against Pakistan, Virender Sehwag, struck gold four years after making his debut. Ever since he struck his triple ton in Test cricket, his stature as an opener grew manifold. Sehwag&#8217;s scoring rate was extremely quick, at 103.44 runs per 100 balls (which is exceeded only by one current player: Shahid Afridi). The Delhi dasher had his liking for the run chases. 7 of his 13 centuries came while chasing. Despite the rotation policy, Sehwag proved his mettle time and again. He was the first-century maker in the World Cup 2011 which India went on to win. He not just smacked the first ball of every game that he played for a boundary in that tournament; he also scored the highest score in the tournament (175 v Bangladesh). On 8 December 2011, Sehwag scored his highest ODI score against West Indies at Indore slamming 219 runs off only 149 Balls. In the same innings, he also crossed 8,000 runs in ODI Cricket. Just this month he announced his international retirement.

Also Read &#8211; <strong><a href="http://goo.gl/YyLXFX" target="_blank">All time right handers ODI XI</a></strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Sachin-Tendulkar-100th-Century-Vs-Bangladesh.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-38116" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sachin-Tendulkar-100th-Century-Vs-Bangladesh.jpg" alt="Sachin Tendulkar 100th Century" width="650" height="791" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-38116" class="wp-caption-text">Sachin Tendulkar. (© MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Sehwag always had an ideal partner in Sachin. Sachin, the leading run scorers in ODI cricket (18,426 runs &#8211; which is almost 25% more than the next-best, Kumar Sangakkara’s 14,234), was the first cricketer to score an ODI double hundred. He scored 200* of 147 balls against South Africa in Gwalior on February 24, 2010. Having scored 49 centuries in his 24-year career, 33 centuries were in a winning cause. Post 2001, Sachin played 200 ODIs and scored over 8500 runs at an average of 48.17 with 22 centuries. The little master was a phenomenal run-getter in the World Cups. Being the leading run scorer in World Cup 2003 (673 runs), he also managed to become the second highest run-scorer in World Cup 2011 with 482 runs. He scored 2 centuries in the tournament.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Virat-Kohli-India-vs-South-Africa-4th-Odi-Chennai.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-37706" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Virat-Kohli-India-vs-South-Africa-4th-Odi-Chennai.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-37706" class="wp-caption-text">(© Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

The new found go-to man of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli has been in an ominous touch ever since his advent in the team. In August 2008, Kohli was included in the Indian ODI squad for the tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. His rise to fame came from his innings of 183 against Pakistan in Asia Cup and then a staggering knock of 133 of 86 balls in a must-win match at Hobart against Sri Lanka in the tri-series down under in 2012. Kohli is the fastest Indian cricketer to reach 1,000, 3,000, 4,000 and 5,000 runs in ODIs and the fastest cricketer to reach 6,000 runs. He was the leading run scorer in the ODI calendar year 2011. He has been the leading run-scorer for India for 5 consecutive years (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014). Kohli is also the record holder for fastest century by an Indian (52 balls). The 27-year old, Indian Test captain has scored 25 centuries in a short career of 171 matches.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Yuvraj-Singh-ODI.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-19873" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Yuvraj-Singh-ODI.jpg" alt="Yuvraj Singh" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-19873" class="wp-caption-text">Yuvraj Singh. (© Getty Images)</figcaption>

The elegant and classy left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh, who is more popular for having won matches for India in the World Cups, is definitely the best pick in the middle order. The World Cup 2011 Player of the Series winner, Yuvraj, became the first man to score 300 plus runs and take 15 wickets in a Cricket World Cup. Yuvi struck 4 half-centuries and a century in India&#8217;s World Cup winning campaign. He also had a five-wicket haul to his name. India found a perfect all-rounder in him during the tournament. He scored 12 centuries in his career. Yuvraj&#8217;s most notable performance came in November 2008, when he hit 138 not out from 78 balls against England at Rajkot, taking 64 balls to reach his century which at the time was the second fastest by an Indian in ODIs after Mohammad Azharuddin&#8217;s (62 balls). After reaching 50 from 42 balls, he added a further 88 in the next 36 balls.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/03/Suresh-Raina-vs-Zimbabwe-ICC-Cricket-World-Cup-2015.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-14012" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Suresh-Raina-vs-Zimbabwe-ICC-Cricket-World-Cup-2015.jpg" alt="Suresh Raina" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-14012" class="wp-caption-text">Suresh Raina. (© Getty Images)</figcaption>

Despite being tagged as ‘consistently inconsistent’, we have our own reasons to include Suresh Raina in this elite list. Raina is undoubtedly one of the best fielders from India, if not the best. He is the only batsman in the current squad about whom the skipper MS Dhoni feels can hit the ball right from the word go. Owing to his good performances, he was also named as the captain of the national team for the tour to Zimbabwe. The southpaw who made his debut in 2005 has struck five centuries and 35 half centuries in his ODI career till date. For a batsman who usually gets to bat in the fag end of the innings, his scores are respectable. Suresh Raina adds a bit of flavor to the team as he can chip in with the ball too. He 36 wickets under his name and has taken 96 catches.

<strong>6. MS Dhoni (C) (WK)<br></strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/06/MSD-MS-Dhoni.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-31651" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/MSD-MS-Dhoni.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni as Captain" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31651" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni. (© Getty Images)</figcaption>

Arguably the most successful Indian captain, Dhoni holds numerous captaincy records such as most wins by an Indian captain in Tests and ODIs, and most back-to-back wins by an Indian captain in ODIs. The only captain to win all the three major ICC tournaments (ICC World Cup, ICC World T20 and the Champions Trophy), MS Dhoni also led India to historic wins in CB Series 2007-2008 and Asia Cup 2010. His innings on 148 v Pakistan was his announcement in the international circuit. The winner of the ICC ODI Player of the Year award in 2008 and 2009 (the first player to win the award twice), Dhoni scored 183* runs of just 145 balls against Sri Lanka in Jaipur, which was the highest score made by any batsman in the second innings then (Shane Watson now holds the record 185* of 96 balls). Apart from his captaincy and batting, India found an able wicket keeper in him. Dhoni holds the Indian record of most dismissals in ODIs with 261 catches and 89 stumpings. If there is a dream XI, the name of Dhoni will certainly be there and be there on the top as the skipper!

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Irfan-Pathan-With-Champions-Trophy-2013.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-38617" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Irfan-Pathan-With-Champions-Trophy-2013.jpg" alt="Irfan Pathan" width="650" height="432" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-38617" class="wp-caption-text">Irfan Pathan. (© ICC via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Ever since he announced his arrival in 2003 down under in the tri-series being the leading wicket taker with 16 wickets, Pathan impressed every Indian cricket fan. The 19-year-old Irfan Pathan found success not only in Tests but also in ODIs. With time, his batting improved too and India finally found a good batting all-rounder after Kapil Dev. In 2004, he was again the leading wicket-taker in the Asia Cup (14 wickets). Owing to his performances, he was awarded the ICC Emerging player of the Year in 2004. In his career of 120 matches, Pathan scored over 1500 runs and scalped 173 wickets. He received 7 Man of the Match awards and two Man of the Series awards. Irfan Pathan holds the World record for the double – 1000 runs and 100 wickets in the quickest time in an ODI career. It took him 1059 days. He is the fastest Indian ODI player to reach the 100 wicket milestone (in 59 matches).

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Harbhajan-Singh-Team-India-vs-South-Africa-4th-ODI-Chennai.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-37808" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Harbhajan-Singh-Team-India-vs-South-Africa-4th-ODI-Chennai.jpg" alt="Harbhajan Singh Team India" width="650" height="437" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-37808" class="wp-caption-text">Harbhajan Singh. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

Harbhajan Singh is perhaps one of the best spinners to have played for India. He led the spin department after Anil Kumble’s retirement for a very long time. Harbhajan Singh has taken 269 wickets with his off-spinners. The bowler who bowls the doosra with flair, Harbhajan had a liking to foreign soil. Unlike other spinners, Bhajji found more success in overseas conditions taking over 150 wickets. He was more than just a useful batsman when needed. A tail-ender who entertained with his innovative shots and aggression, Bhajji always found his way to the hearts of his fans.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/R-Ashwin-India-vs-South-Africa-T20I.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-35091" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/R-Ashwin-India-vs-South-Africa-T20I.jpg" alt="Ravichandran Ashwin Latest" width="650" height="425" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35091" class="wp-caption-text">Ravichandran Ashwin. (© DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

The modern day spin warrior of Indian cricket, Ravi Ashwin broke into the national squad in 2010. He soon replaced Harbhajan Singh as the lead spinner in the team. He has scalped 142 wickets since then in the 102 games that he has played. His economy has been the point of attention as the classical off-spinner does not like giving away free runs. Ash received BCCI&#8217;s Polly Umrigar Award for international cricketer of the year 2012–13. He was the part of the World-Cup winning squad of 2011 and played a key role in the semi-final game against Australia. In the Champions Trophy final against England, Ashwin bowled the winning delivery.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Zaheer-Khan-Ind-cwc2011-e1436610597270.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-18720" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Zaheer-Khan-Ind-cwc2011-e1436610597270.jpg" alt="Zaheer Khan" width="650" height="472" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-18720" class="wp-caption-text">Zaheer Khan. (© Getty Images)</figcaption>

Zaheer Khan has been the face of Indian pace attack. He has taken 282 wickets in 200 matches that he has played for India. He averages just over 29 runs per wicket, taking 4 wickets in a match 6 times (4 times against Zimbabwe) including 32 wickets against Zimbabwe at an average of 17.46 runs per dismissal. Zaheer along with other seamers like Javagal Srinath and Ashish Nehra helped India make it to the finals of the World Cup 2003. He finished the tournament as fourth highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 20 runs per wicket. Zak was the joint leading wicket-taker in the World Cup 2011 with Shahid Afridi (21 wickets).

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/03/Mohammed-Shami-vs-Pakistan-ICC-Cricket-World-Cup.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-14559" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammed-Shami-vs-Pakistan-ICC-Cricket-World-Cup.jpg" alt="Top pacers from each country" width="650" height="462" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-14559" class="wp-caption-text">Mohammed Shami. (© Getty Images)</figcaption>

He is the latest addition to the team but does deserve to feature in the list. In such a short span of time, he has impressed everyone. Mohammad Shami bowls fast and is one of India’s quickest bowlers along with Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav. On 5 March 2014, in an Asia cup match against Afghanistan, Shami became the third fastest Indian to 50 ODI wickets. He bowls Yorkers at pace and gets the ball to reverse swing. He picked 17 wickets in the World Cup 2015 and was the best Indian bowler down under. In the third game against West Indies in the World Cup, he was awarded the Man of the Match after finishing with figures 8–2–35–3. Prior to this game, he had already taken a 4-wicket haul against Pakistan.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/04/Rohit-Sharma.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-17197" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Rohit-Sharma.jpg" alt="Rohit Sharma" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-17197" class="wp-caption-text">Rohit Sharma. (© Getty Images)</figcaption>

Rohit Sharma needs no introduction. The highest individual run scorer in ODI cricket (264 runs v Sri Lanka, Rohit has plundered bowling attacks like none other. The dazzling batsman from Mumbai has already registered two international ODI double hundreds, a record in its own and has the highest individual ODI score record to his name. Rohit had to be in our reserve list since Sachin-Viru pair has already occupied the opening slot. But make no mistake; this man is quite talented too. Well, this is our list of top XI since 2003.

There might have been many who we missed but based on the stats and the Most Valuable Player quotient, these 11 gentlemen certainly seem to be the best fit. It would be great to actually watch them all feature in the same game!

Also Read &#8211; <strong><a href="http://www.crictracker.com/best-xi-game-changers-in-odis/" target="_blank">Best XI Game Changers in ODIs</a></strong>

<strong><em>(All stats updated till 1st September 2016)</em></strong>

Indian players with World Cup 2011 trophy

<p><strong>Best Indian ODI XI post 2003:</strong> Test cricket has always been regarded as the purest form of cricket and the T20 format has become the newest brainchild of cricket. But between these two formats, there is the One Day Internationals which has its own special place for the cricket fans. While Test cricket is all about temperament, T20 is about the aggression and innovation; ODI cricket is certainly a blend of the two and we have the best of both worlds when it comes to ODI cricket.</p>
<p>For the Indian fans, the World Cup 2003 final was certainly a big heartbreak. A billion hopes crashed by about 125 runs. Indian cricket has come a long way since then and has definitely improved. The improvement has been such that India went on to win the World Cup 2011 and is currently placed at number 2 in the ODI rankings. The journey has not been easy and there have been great performers taking the team ahead.</p>
<h5>Here is one such consolidated list of who we think deserve to be in the list of <strong>Best Indian ODI XI post 2003:</strong></h5>
<h4><strong>1. Virender Sehwag:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_37525" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-37525" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Virender-Sehwag-of-India-GettyImages-153246773.jpg"><amp-img class="wp-image-37525" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Virender-Sehwag-of-India-GettyImages-153246773.jpg" alt="Virender Sehwag of India" width="650" height="484" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-37525" class="wp-caption-text">Virender Sehwag. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The aggressive batsman from Najafgarh who made his debut way back in 1999 against Pakistan, Virender Sehwag, struck gold four years after making his debut. Ever since he struck his triple ton in Test cricket, his stature as an opener grew manifold. Sehwag’s scoring rate was extremely quick, at 103.44 runs per 100 balls (which is exceeded only by one current player: Shahid Afridi). The Delhi dasher had his liking for the run chases. 7 of his 13 centuries came while chasing. Despite the rotation policy, Sehwag proved his mettle time and again. He was the first-century maker in the World Cup 2011 which India went on to win. He not just smacked the first ball of every game that he played for a boundary in that tournament; he also scored the highest score in the tournament (175 v&nbsp;Bangladesh). On 8 December 2011, Sehwag scored his highest ODI score against West Indies at Indore slamming 219 runs off only 149 Balls. In the same innings, he also crossed 8,000 runs in ODI Cricket. Just this month he announced his international retirement.</p>
<h5>Also Read – <strong><a href="http://goo.gl/YyLXFX" target="_blank">All time right handers ODI XI</a></strong></h5>
<h4><strong>2. Sachin Tendulkar:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_38116" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-38116" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Sachin-Tendulkar-100th-Century-Vs-Bangladesh.jpg"><amp-img class="wp-image-38116" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sachin-Tendulkar-100th-Century-Vs-Bangladesh.jpg" alt="Sachin Tendulkar 100th Century" width="650" height="791" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-38116" class="wp-caption-text">Sachin Tendulkar. (© MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Sehwag always had an ideal partner in Sachin. Sachin, the leading run scorers in ODI cricket (18,426 runs – which is almost 25% more than the next-best, Kumar Sangakkara’s 14,234), was the first cricketer to score an ODI double hundred. He scored 200* of 147 balls against South Africa in Gwalior on February 24, 2010. Having scored 49 centuries in his 24-year career, 33 centuries were in a winning cause. Post 2001, Sachin played 200 ODIs and scored over 8500 runs at an average of 48.17 with 22 centuries. The little master was a phenomenal run-getter in the World Cups. Being the leading run scorer in World Cup 2003&nbsp;(673 runs), he also managed to become the second highest run-scorer in World Cup 2011 with 482 runs. He scored 2 centuries in the tournament.</p>
<h4><strong>3. Virat Kohli:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_37706" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-37706" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Virat-Kohli-India-vs-South-Africa-4th-Odi-Chennai.jpg"><amp-img class="wp-image-37706" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Virat-Kohli-India-vs-South-Africa-4th-Odi-Chennai.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli" width="650" height="433" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-37706" class="wp-caption-text">(© Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The new found go-to man of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli has been in an ominous touch ever since his advent in the team. In August 2008, Kohli was included in the Indian ODI squad for the tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. His rise to fame came from his innings of 183 against Pakistan in Asia Cup and then a staggering knock of 133 of 86 balls in a must-win match at Hobart against Sri Lanka in the tri-series down under in 2012. Kohli is the fastest Indian cricketer to reach 1,000, 3,000, 4,000 and 5,000 runs in ODIs and the fastest cricketer to reach 6,000 runs. He was the leading run scorer in the ODI calendar year 2011. He has been the leading run-scorer for India for 5 consecutive years (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014). Kohli is also the record holder for fastest century by an Indian (52 balls). The 27-year old, Indian Test captain has scored 25 centuries in a short career of 171 matches.</p>
<h4><strong>4. Yuvraj Singh:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_19873" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19873" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Yuvraj-Singh-ODI.jpg"><amp-img class="wp-image-19873" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Yuvraj-Singh-ODI.jpg" alt="Yuvraj Singh" width="650" height="433" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-19873" class="wp-caption-text">Yuvraj Singh. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The elegant and classy left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh, who is more popular for having won matches for India in the World Cups, is definitely the best pick in the middle order. The World Cup 2011 Player of the Series winner, Yuvraj, became the first man to score 300 plus runs and take 15 wickets in a Cricket World Cup. Yuvi struck 4 half-centuries and a century in India’s World Cup winning campaign. He also had a five-wicket haul to his name. India found a perfect all-rounder in him during the tournament. He scored 12 centuries in his career. Yuvraj’s most notable performance came in November 2008, when he hit 138 not out from 78 balls against England at Rajkot, taking 64 balls to reach his century which at the time was the second fastest by an Indian in ODIs after Mohammad Azharuddin’s (62 balls). After reaching 50 from 42 balls, he added a further 88 in the next 36 balls.</p>
<h4><strong>5. Suresh Raina:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_14012" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14012" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/03/Suresh-Raina-vs-Zimbabwe-ICC-Cricket-World-Cup-2015.jpg"><amp-img class="wp-image-14012" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Suresh-Raina-vs-Zimbabwe-ICC-Cricket-World-Cup-2015.jpg" alt="Suresh Raina" width="650" height="433" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-14012" class="wp-caption-text">Suresh Raina. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Despite being tagged as ‘consistently inconsistent’, we have our own reasons to include Suresh Raina in this elite list. Raina is undoubtedly one of the best fielders from India, if not the best. He is the only batsman in the current squad about whom the skipper MS Dhoni feels can hit the ball right from the word go. Owing to his good performances, he was also named as the captain of the national team for the tour to Zimbabwe. The southpaw who made his debut in 2005&nbsp;has struck five centuries and 35 half centuries in his ODI career till date. For a batsman who usually gets to bat in the fag end of the innings, his scores are respectable. Suresh Raina adds a bit of flavor to the team as he can chip in with the ball too. He 36 wickets under his name and has taken 96 catches.</p>
<h4><strong>6. MS Dhoni (C) (WK)<br>
</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_31651" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-31651" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/06/MSD-MS-Dhoni.jpg"><amp-img class="wp-image-31651" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/MSD-MS-Dhoni.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni as Captain" width="650" height="433" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31651" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Arguably the most successful Indian captain, Dhoni holds numerous captaincy records such as most wins by an Indian captain in Tests and ODIs, and most back-to-back wins by an Indian captain in ODIs. The only captain to win all the three major ICC tournaments (ICC World Cup, ICC World T20 and the Champions Trophy), MS Dhoni also led India to historic wins in CB Series 2007-2008 and Asia Cup 2010. His innings on 148 v Pakistan&nbsp;was his announcement in the international circuit. The winner of the ICC ODI Player of the Year award in 2008 and 2009 (the first player to win the award twice), Dhoni scored 183* runs of just 145 balls against Sri Lanka in Jaipur, which was the highest score made by any batsman in the second innings then (Shane Watson now holds the record 185* of 96 balls). Apart from his captaincy and batting, India found an able wicket keeper in him. Dhoni holds the Indian record of most dismissals in ODIs with 261 catches and 89 stumpings. If there is a dream XI, the name of Dhoni will certainly be there and be there on the top as the skipper!</p>
<h4><strong>7. Irfan Pathan:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_38617" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-38617" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Irfan-Pathan-With-Champions-Trophy-2013.jpg"><amp-img class="wp-image-38617" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Irfan-Pathan-With-Champions-Trophy-2013.jpg" alt="Irfan Pathan" width="650" height="432" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-38617" class="wp-caption-text">Irfan Pathan. (© ICC via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Ever since he announced his arrival in 2003 down under in the tri-series being the leading wicket taker with 16 wickets, Pathan impressed every Indian cricket fan. The 19-year-old Irfan Pathan found success not only in Tests but also in ODIs. With time, his batting improved too and India finally found a good batting all-rounder after Kapil Dev. In 2004, he was again the leading wicket-taker in the Asia Cup (14 wickets). Owing to his performances, he was awarded the ICC Emerging player of the Year in 2004. In his career of 120 matches, Pathan scored over 1500 runs and scalped 173 wickets. He received 7 Man of the Match awards and two Man of the Series awards. Irfan Pathan holds the World record for the double – 1000 runs and 100 wickets in the quickest time in an ODI career. It took him 1059 days. He is the fastest Indian ODI player to reach the 100 wicket milestone (in 59 matches).</p>
<h4><strong>8. Harbhajan Singh:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_37808" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-37808" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Harbhajan-Singh-Team-India-vs-South-Africa-4th-ODI-Chennai.jpg"><amp-img class="wp-image-37808" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Harbhajan-Singh-Team-India-vs-South-Africa-4th-ODI-Chennai.jpg" alt="Harbhajan Singh Team India" width="650" height="437" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-37808" class="wp-caption-text">Harbhajan Singh. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Harbhajan Singh is perhaps one of the best spinners to have played for India. He led the spin department after Anil Kumble’s retirement for a very long time. Harbhajan Singh has taken 269 wickets with his off-spinners. The bowler who bowls the doosra with flair, Harbhajan had a liking to foreign soil. Unlike other spinners, Bhajji found more success in overseas conditions taking over 150 wickets. He was more than just a useful batsman when needed. A tail-ender who entertained with his innovative shots and aggression, Bhajji always found his way to the hearts of his fans.</p>
<h4><strong>9. Ravichandran Ashwin:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_35091" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35091" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/R-Ashwin-India-vs-South-Africa-T20I.jpg"><amp-img class="wp-image-35091" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/R-Ashwin-India-vs-South-Africa-T20I.jpg" alt="Ravichandran Ashwin Latest" width="650" height="425" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35091" class="wp-caption-text">Ravichandran Ashwin. (© DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The modern day spin warrior of Indian cricket, Ravi Ashwin broke into the national squad in 2010. He soon replaced Harbhajan Singh as the lead spinner in the team. He has scalped 142 wickets since then in the 102 games that he has played. His economy has been the point of attention as the classical off-spinner does not like giving away free runs. Ash received BCCI’s Polly Umrigar Award for international cricketer of the year 2012–13. He was the part of the World-Cup winning squad of 2011 and played a key role in the semi-final game against Australia. In the Champions Trophy final against England, Ashwin bowled the winning delivery.</p>
<h4><strong>10. Zaheer Khan:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_18720" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-18720" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Zaheer-Khan-Ind-cwc2011-e1436610597270.jpg"><amp-img class="wp-image-18720" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Zaheer-Khan-Ind-cwc2011-e1436610597270.jpg" alt="Zaheer Khan" width="650" height="472" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-18720" class="wp-caption-text">Zaheer Khan. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Zaheer Khan has been the face of Indian pace attack. He has taken 282 wickets in 200 matches that he has played for India. He averages just over 29 runs per wicket, taking 4 wickets in a match 6 times (4 times against Zimbabwe) including 32 wickets against Zimbabwe at an average of 17.46 runs per dismissal. Zaheer along with other seamers like Javagal Srinath and Ashish Nehra helped India make it to the finals of the World Cup 2003. He finished the tournament as fourth highest wicket-taker&nbsp;with 18 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 20 runs per wicket. Zak was the joint leading wicket-taker in the World Cup 2011 with Shahid Afridi (21 wickets).</p>
<h4><strong>11. Mohammad Shami:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_14559" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14559" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/03/Mohammed-Shami-vs-Pakistan-ICC-Cricket-World-Cup.jpg"><amp-img class="wp-image-14559" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammed-Shami-vs-Pakistan-ICC-Cricket-World-Cup.jpg" alt="Top pacers from each country" width="650" height="462" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-14559" class="wp-caption-text">Mohammed Shami. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>He is the latest addition to the team but does deserve to feature in the list. In such a short span of time, he has impressed everyone. Mohammad Shami bowls fast and is one of India’s quickest bowlers along with Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav. On 5 March 2014, in an Asia cup match against Afghanistan, Shami became the third fastest Indian to 50 ODI wickets. He bowls Yorkers at pace and gets the ball to reverse swing. He picked 17 wickets in the World Cup 2015 and was the best Indian bowler down under. In the third game against West Indies in the World Cup, he was awarded the Man of the Match after finishing with figures 8–2–35–3. Prior to this game, he had already taken a 4-wicket haul against Pakistan.</p>
<p><strong>Reserve Player: </strong></p>
<h4><strong>Rohit Sharma:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_17197" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-17197" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/04/Rohit-Sharma.jpg"><amp-img class="wp-image-17197" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Rohit-Sharma.jpg" alt="Rohit Sharma" width="650" height="433" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-17197" class="wp-caption-text">Rohit Sharma. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Rohit Sharma needs no introduction. The highest individual run scorer in ODI cricket (264 runs v&nbsp;Sri Lanka, Rohit has plundered bowling attacks like none other. The dazzling batsman from Mumbai has already registered two international ODI double hundreds, a record in its own and has the highest individual ODI score record to his name. Rohit had to be in our reserve list since Sachin-Viru pair has already occupied the opening slot. But make no mistake; this man is quite talented too. Well, this is our list of top XI since 2003.</p>
<p>There might have been many who we missed but based on the stats and the Most Valuable Player quotient, these 11 gentlemen certainly seem to be the best fit. It would be great to actually watch them all feature in the same game!</p>
<h5>Also Read – <strong><a href="http://www.crictracker.com/best-xi-game-changers-in-odis/" target="_blank">Best XI Game Changers in ODIs</a></strong></h5>
<p><strong><em>(All stats updated till 1st September 2016)</em></strong></p>

<p><strong>Best Indian ODI XI post 2003:</strong> Test cricket has always been regarded as the purest form of cricket and the T20 format has become the newest brainchild of cricket. But between these two formats, there is the One Day Internationals which has its own special place for the cricket fans. While Test cricket is all about temperament, T20 is about the aggression and innovation; ODI cricket is certainly a blend of the two and we have the best of both worlds when it comes to ODI cricket.</p>
<p>For the Indian fans, the World Cup 2003 final was certainly a big heartbreak. A billion hopes crashed by about 125 runs. Indian cricket has come a long way since then and has definitely improved. The improvement has been such that India went on to win the World Cup 2011 and is currently placed at number 2 in the ODI rankings. The journey has not been easy and there have been great performers taking the team ahead.</p>
<h5>Here is one such consolidated list of who we think deserve to be in the list of <strong>Best Indian ODI XI post 2003:</strong></h5>
<h4><strong>1. Virender Sehwag:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_37525" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-37525" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Virender-Sehwag-of-India-GettyImages-153246773.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-37525" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Virender-Sehwag-of-India-GettyImages-153246773.jpg" alt="Virender Sehwag of India" width="650" height="484" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-37525" class="wp-caption-text">Virender Sehwag. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The aggressive batsman from Najafgarh who made his debut way back in 1999 against Pakistan, Virender Sehwag, struck gold four years after making his debut. Ever since he struck his triple ton in Test cricket, his stature as an opener grew manifold. Sehwag&#8217;s scoring rate was extremely quick, at 103.44 runs per 100 balls (which is exceeded only by one current player: Shahid Afridi). The Delhi dasher had his liking for the run chases. 7 of his 13 centuries came while chasing. Despite the rotation policy, Sehwag proved his mettle time and again. He was the first-century maker in the World Cup 2011 which India went on to win. He not just smacked the first ball of every game that he played for a boundary in that tournament; he also scored the highest score in the tournament (175 v Bangladesh). On 8 December 2011, Sehwag scored his highest ODI score against West Indies at Indore slamming 219 runs off only 149 Balls. In the same innings, he also crossed 8,000 runs in ODI Cricket. Just this month he announced his international retirement.</p>
<h5>Also Read &#8211; <strong><a href="http://goo.gl/YyLXFX" target="_blank">All time right handers ODI XI</a></strong></h5>
<h4><strong>2. Sachin Tendulkar:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_38116" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-38116" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Sachin-Tendulkar-100th-Century-Vs-Bangladesh.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-38116" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sachin-Tendulkar-100th-Century-Vs-Bangladesh.jpg" alt="Sachin Tendulkar 100th Century" width="650" height="791" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-38116" class="wp-caption-text">Sachin Tendulkar. (© MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Sehwag always had an ideal partner in Sachin. Sachin, the leading run scorers in ODI cricket (18,426 runs &#8211; which is almost 25% more than the next-best, Kumar Sangakkara’s 14,234), was the first cricketer to score an ODI double hundred. He scored 200* of 147 balls against South Africa in Gwalior on February 24, 2010. Having scored 49 centuries in his 24-year career, 33 centuries were in a winning cause. Post 2001, Sachin played 200 ODIs and scored over 8500 runs at an average of 48.17 with 22 centuries. The little master was a phenomenal run-getter in the World Cups. Being the leading run scorer in World Cup 2003 (673 runs), he also managed to become the second highest run-scorer in World Cup 2011 with 482 runs. He scored 2 centuries in the tournament.</p>
<h4><strong>3. Virat Kohli:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_37706" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-37706" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Virat-Kohli-India-vs-South-Africa-4th-Odi-Chennai.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-37706" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Virat-Kohli-India-vs-South-Africa-4th-Odi-Chennai.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-37706" class="wp-caption-text">(© Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The new found go-to man of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli has been in an ominous touch ever since his advent in the team. In August 2008, Kohli was included in the Indian ODI squad for the tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. His rise to fame came from his innings of 183 against Pakistan in Asia Cup and then a staggering knock of 133 of 86 balls in a must-win match at Hobart against Sri Lanka in the tri-series down under in 2012. Kohli is the fastest Indian cricketer to reach 1,000, 3,000, 4,000 and 5,000 runs in ODIs and the fastest cricketer to reach 6,000 runs. He was the leading run scorer in the ODI calendar year 2011. He has been the leading run-scorer for India for 5 consecutive years (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014). Kohli is also the record holder for fastest century by an Indian (52 balls). The 27-year old, Indian Test captain has scored 25 centuries in a short career of 171 matches.</p>
<h4><strong>4. Yuvraj Singh:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_19873" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-19873" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Yuvraj-Singh-ODI.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-19873" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Yuvraj-Singh-ODI.jpg" alt="Yuvraj Singh" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-19873" class="wp-caption-text">Yuvraj Singh. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The elegant and classy left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh, who is more popular for having won matches for India in the World Cups, is definitely the best pick in the middle order. The World Cup 2011 Player of the Series winner, Yuvraj, became the first man to score 300 plus runs and take 15 wickets in a Cricket World Cup. Yuvi struck 4 half-centuries and a century in India&#8217;s World Cup winning campaign. He also had a five-wicket haul to his name. India found a perfect all-rounder in him during the tournament. He scored 12 centuries in his career. Yuvraj&#8217;s most notable performance came in November 2008, when he hit 138 not out from 78 balls against England at Rajkot, taking 64 balls to reach his century which at the time was the second fastest by an Indian in ODIs after Mohammad Azharuddin&#8217;s (62 balls). After reaching 50 from 42 balls, he added a further 88 in the next 36 balls.</p>
<h4><strong>5. Suresh Raina:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_14012" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14012" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/03/Suresh-Raina-vs-Zimbabwe-ICC-Cricket-World-Cup-2015.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-14012" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Suresh-Raina-vs-Zimbabwe-ICC-Cricket-World-Cup-2015.jpg" alt="Suresh Raina" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-14012" class="wp-caption-text">Suresh Raina. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Despite being tagged as ‘consistently inconsistent’, we have our own reasons to include Suresh Raina in this elite list. Raina is undoubtedly one of the best fielders from India, if not the best. He is the only batsman in the current squad about whom the skipper MS Dhoni feels can hit the ball right from the word go. Owing to his good performances, he was also named as the captain of the national team for the tour to Zimbabwe. The southpaw who made his debut in 2005 has struck five centuries and 35 half centuries in his ODI career till date. For a batsman who usually gets to bat in the fag end of the innings, his scores are respectable. Suresh Raina adds a bit of flavor to the team as he can chip in with the ball too. He 36 wickets under his name and has taken 96 catches.</p>
<h4><strong>6. MS Dhoni (C) (WK)<br>
</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_31651" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-31651" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/06/MSD-MS-Dhoni.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-31651" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/MSD-MS-Dhoni.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni as Captain" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31651" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Arguably the most successful Indian captain, Dhoni holds numerous captaincy records such as most wins by an Indian captain in Tests and ODIs, and most back-to-back wins by an Indian captain in ODIs. The only captain to win all the three major ICC tournaments (ICC World Cup, ICC World T20 and the Champions Trophy), MS Dhoni also led India to historic wins in CB Series 2007-2008 and Asia Cup 2010. His innings on 148 v Pakistan was his announcement in the international circuit. The winner of the ICC ODI Player of the Year award in 2008 and 2009 (the first player to win the award twice), Dhoni scored 183* runs of just 145 balls against Sri Lanka in Jaipur, which was the highest score made by any batsman in the second innings then (Shane Watson now holds the record 185* of 96 balls). Apart from his captaincy and batting, India found an able wicket keeper in him. Dhoni holds the Indian record of most dismissals in ODIs with 261 catches and 89 stumpings. If there is a dream XI, the name of Dhoni will certainly be there and be there on the top as the skipper!</p>
<h4><strong>7. Irfan Pathan:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_38617" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-38617" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Irfan-Pathan-With-Champions-Trophy-2013.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-38617" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Irfan-Pathan-With-Champions-Trophy-2013.jpg" alt="Irfan Pathan" width="650" height="432" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-38617" class="wp-caption-text">Irfan Pathan. (© ICC via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Ever since he announced his arrival in 2003 down under in the tri-series being the leading wicket taker with 16 wickets, Pathan impressed every Indian cricket fan. The 19-year-old Irfan Pathan found success not only in Tests but also in ODIs. With time, his batting improved too and India finally found a good batting all-rounder after Kapil Dev. In 2004, he was again the leading wicket-taker in the Asia Cup (14 wickets). Owing to his performances, he was awarded the ICC Emerging player of the Year in 2004. In his career of 120 matches, Pathan scored over 1500 runs and scalped 173 wickets. He received 7 Man of the Match awards and two Man of the Series awards. Irfan Pathan holds the World record for the double – 1000 runs and 100 wickets in the quickest time in an ODI career. It took him 1059 days. He is the fastest Indian ODI player to reach the 100 wicket milestone (in 59 matches).</p>
<h4><strong>8. Harbhajan Singh:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_37808" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-37808" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Harbhajan-Singh-Team-India-vs-South-Africa-4th-ODI-Chennai.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-37808" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Harbhajan-Singh-Team-India-vs-South-Africa-4th-ODI-Chennai.jpg" alt="Harbhajan Singh Team India" width="650" height="437" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-37808" class="wp-caption-text">Harbhajan Singh. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Harbhajan Singh is perhaps one of the best spinners to have played for India. He led the spin department after Anil Kumble’s retirement for a very long time. Harbhajan Singh has taken 269 wickets with his off-spinners. The bowler who bowls the doosra with flair, Harbhajan had a liking to foreign soil. Unlike other spinners, Bhajji found more success in overseas conditions taking over 150 wickets. He was more than just a useful batsman when needed. A tail-ender who entertained with his innovative shots and aggression, Bhajji always found his way to the hearts of his fans.</p>
<h4><strong>9. Ravichandran Ashwin:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_35091" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-35091" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/R-Ashwin-India-vs-South-Africa-T20I.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-35091" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/R-Ashwin-India-vs-South-Africa-T20I.jpg" alt="Ravichandran Ashwin Latest" width="650" height="425" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-35091" class="wp-caption-text">Ravichandran Ashwin. (© DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The modern day spin warrior of Indian cricket, Ravi Ashwin broke into the national squad in 2010. He soon replaced Harbhajan Singh as the lead spinner in the team. He has scalped 142 wickets since then in the 102 games that he has played. His economy has been the point of attention as the classical off-spinner does not like giving away free runs. Ash received BCCI&#8217;s Polly Umrigar Award for international cricketer of the year 2012–13. He was the part of the World-Cup winning squad of 2011 and played a key role in the semi-final game against Australia. In the Champions Trophy final against England, Ashwin bowled the winning delivery.</p>
<h4><strong>10. Zaheer Khan:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_18720" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-18720" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Zaheer-Khan-Ind-cwc2011-e1436610597270.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-18720" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Zaheer-Khan-Ind-cwc2011-e1436610597270.jpg" alt="Zaheer Khan" width="650" height="472" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-18720" class="wp-caption-text">Zaheer Khan. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Zaheer Khan has been the face of Indian pace attack. He has taken 282 wickets in 200 matches that he has played for India. He averages just over 29 runs per wicket, taking 4 wickets in a match 6 times (4 times against Zimbabwe) including 32 wickets against Zimbabwe at an average of 17.46 runs per dismissal. Zaheer along with other seamers like Javagal Srinath and Ashish Nehra helped India make it to the finals of the World Cup 2003. He finished the tournament as fourth highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 20 runs per wicket. Zak was the joint leading wicket-taker in the World Cup 2011 with Shahid Afridi (21 wickets).</p>
<h4><strong>11. Mohammad Shami:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_14559" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14559" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/03/Mohammed-Shami-vs-Pakistan-ICC-Cricket-World-Cup.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-14559" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammed-Shami-vs-Pakistan-ICC-Cricket-World-Cup.jpg" alt="Top pacers from each country" width="650" height="462" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-14559" class="wp-caption-text">Mohammed Shami. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>He is the latest addition to the team but does deserve to feature in the list. In such a short span of time, he has impressed everyone. Mohammad Shami bowls fast and is one of India’s quickest bowlers along with Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav. On 5 March 2014, in an Asia cup match against Afghanistan, Shami became the third fastest Indian to 50 ODI wickets. He bowls Yorkers at pace and gets the ball to reverse swing. He picked 17 wickets in the World Cup 2015 and was the best Indian bowler down under. In the third game against West Indies in the World Cup, he was awarded the Man of the Match after finishing with figures 8–2–35–3. Prior to this game, he had already taken a 4-wicket haul against Pakistan.</p>
<p><strong>Reserve Player: </strong></p>
<h4><strong>Rohit Sharma:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_17197" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-17197" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/04/Rohit-Sharma.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-17197" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Rohit-Sharma.jpg" alt="Rohit Sharma" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-17197" class="wp-caption-text">Rohit Sharma. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Rohit Sharma needs no introduction. The highest individual run scorer in ODI cricket (264 runs v Sri Lanka, Rohit has plundered bowling attacks like none other. The dazzling batsman from Mumbai has already registered two international ODI double hundreds, a record in its own and has the highest individual ODI score record to his name. Rohit had to be in our reserve list since Sachin-Viru pair has already occupied the opening slot. But make no mistake; this man is quite talented too. Well, this is our list of top XI since 2003.</p>
<p>There might have been many who we missed but based on the stats and the Most Valuable Player quotient, these 11 gentlemen certainly seem to be the best fit. It would be great to actually watch them all feature in the same game!</p>
<h5>Also Read &#8211; <strong><a href="http://www.crictracker.com/best-xi-game-changers-in-odis/" target="_blank">Best XI Game Changers in ODIs</a></strong></h5>
<p><strong><em>(All stats updated till 1st September 2016)</em></strong></p>

Best Indian ODI XI post 2003

Best Indian ODI XI post 2003: Test cricket has always been regarded as the purest form of cricket and the T20 format has become the newest brainchild of c