Best ODI XI of the year 2015

2015 was an eventful year as far as the ODI cricket is concerned. It began with the 50 overs carnival- The cricket World Cup. Australia emerged as the champions for the fifth time after they beat the ‘Black Caps’ New Zealand in the finals. Bangladesh arguably had its best year in ODI cricket with convincing wins against Pakistan, India and South Africa. New Zealand batting mainstay Kane Williamson was the highest run getter of the year while Aussie speedster Mitchell Starc topped the bowlers chart. Various other significant feats by individual and team were also achieved. The calendar year is nearing its end and we try to analyse and form the Best ODI XI of the year 2015: Martin Guptill (New Zealand): Martin Guptill. (© Getty Images) Martin Guptill has been consistently among runs this year. He is one of the two Kiwis along with Kane Williamson who occupy the top two spots in the highest run getters chart. The World Cup 2015 was also a memorable one for him. He finished as the top scorer of the tournament with 547 runs and also secured his name in the ODI history by becoming the first player to score a double century in the 50 overs format. Guptill, in all, has 1287 runs in 29 matches four centuries and 6 half centuries. Also Read – ICC ODI Team of the Year 2015 Hashim Amla (South Africa): Hashim Amla. (© Gallo Images/ Getty Images) Hashim Amla just like the previous years has had a wonderful 2015 though he couldn’t give it a perfect finish, as he flattered in the 5-match series against India. He has quite capably managed being at the helm of the Proteas batting order. South Africa owe much of its success to the steady starts which he gives opening the innings. With 1062 runs to his name, elegant stroke maker is the highest run getter for South Africa in the year. Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Kane Williamson. (© Getty Images) Kane Williamson looked immortal this year. Since his debut, Kane has gradually raised his batting standards and has now reached a level where he looks virtually unstoppable. He has carried his outstanding Test form into the 50 overs format. Kane is the highest run-getter this year with 1317 runs at a brilliant average of 57.26. The Kiwi superstar is perhaps the best option for the vital number three position in this team. Kumar Sangakkara (Wk) (Sri Lanka): Kumar Sangakkara. (© Getty Images) Many fans would agree that Kumar Sangakkara actually retired too early. Sanga retired from the ODI format in the month of March but already had 862 runs at a mind-boggling average of 86.20 runs. He scored the bulk of his runs this year in the ICC Cricket World Cup which he finished with 541 runs at a mind-boggling average of 108.20. Obviously, with such great numbers there can be no other batsman who could come anywhere close to be suitable for the number four position in this team. AB de Villiers (C)(South Africa): AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: Associated Press) The South African maverick is enjoying the prime of his career. At present, he is the most versatile batsman in the world. He can play the role of an anchor and can lambast the opposition bowlers with his innovative and unorthodox batting style. His aura is inevitable. De Villiers has 1193 runs in the year at a staggering average of 79.53 in just 18 innings. His strike rate of around 137 is also the best by any batsman this year. Eoin Morgan (England): Eoin Morgan. (© Getty Images) At number six, Eoin Morgan is most suited for the role of a finisher/pinch hitter in the team. The English captain is also a highly unorthodox batsman who plays a variety of shots and has the ability to clear the ropes at will. Morgan is also among the runs this year with 967 runs in 23 innings which includes 2 centuries and 7 half-centuries. In the other half of the year, he led England to some amazing wins as skipper and with the bat as well. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): Shakib Al Hasan. (Photo Source: AFP) Shakib Al Hasan fills in the all rounder’s slot in the team. Shakib is a handy batsman who can produce some breezy cameos towards the end of the innings. Shakib did not have a much impressive year with the bat and could muster only 368 runs. But, he was definitely good with the ball with 24 wickets in 16 matches. In all, the numbers are good for a spin bowling all-rounder. The reason why he makes it to the team is that there has been no spin bowling all-rounder who has done better than him. Mitchell Starc (Australia): Mitchell Starc. (© Getty Images) Mitchell Starc has been the best bowler of this year. He was fast, dominating and sometimes unplayable throughout the year. Starc’s bowling has matured. He swings the ball at great speed and can delivery pitch-perfect yorkers at will. Starc has taken 41 wickets in just 18 matches. All the while the player of the tournament of the World Cup 2015 maintained an average of 16.26. Without any doubt, he is the first choice strike bowler of this team. Mohammad Shami (India): Mohammed Shami. (© Getty Images) This year was and injury-affected year for Mohammad Shami. He featured for India only in the World Cup and recovered from the injury towards the end of the calendar year by when the team had already played its last ODI. The bowling spearhead could only play 11 matches this year but was still outstanding taking 19 wickets at an average 20.63. Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh): Mustafizur Rahman. (Photo Source: AFP) Mustafizur Rahman is one sensational talent Bangladesh would like to preserve with utmost care. The left-arm seamer made a memorable debut against India in their mid-year bilateral series and took back to back five-wicket hauls. He then continued his good show against South Africa and Zimbabwe as well. His deceptive nature of fast bowling and wicket taking ability enables him to make a cut into the team. Rahman played only 9 matches, grabbed 26 wickets at an average of just 12.34. The numbers could have been unimaginable if Bangladesh played more ODIs this year. Imran Tahir (South Africa): Imran Tahir. (Photo Source: BCCI) Imran Tahir has the best spinner this year in the shorter format of the game. The South African leggie would certainly end this year as the second highest wicket- taker of 2015. Tahir has 37 wickets in 22 matches. In the South African team full of fast bowlers, Tahir played a perfect foil for them, taking wickets in the middle overs and keeping the run flow in control. Also Read – Top 10 Teams with most ODI wins in 2015

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Best ODI XI of the year 2015

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