Best ODI XI of the year 2021

From the perspective of a cricket fan, 2021 was indeed a great year. Owing to several close encounters, the hysteria among the viewers was well and truly justified. However, like the previous year, even 2021 had lesser ODI games as compared to the general norm. Besides, as 2021 saw the inaugural World Test Championship final, as well as the 2021 T20 WC, the focus was mainly on the other two formats. Nevertheless, several ODI games were an absolute treat to watch. Various individuals were at their best and were consistent throughout the year. So much so that they went on to further enhance their reputation. However, which are those players who could make it into the ODI playing XI of the year? Who were the best ODI players of 2021? Here is the ODI XI of 2021: 1) Shikhar Dhawan Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo Source: Twitter/Sri Lanka Cricket) It is safe to say that Shikhar Dhawan is one of the greatest ODI players of this generation. The opener has made it a habit to consistently score runs in this format. Despite not having age on his side, 2021 saw him being in sublime form. The Indian batter was superb during the ODI series against England at home. He scored two half-centuries in the three-match series, with a best of 98. The 36-year-old was then asked to lead the Indian team during their tour to Sri Lanka, and he didn’t disappoint over there either. He scored the most number of runs for his side in that ODI series as well. In the six one-dayers in which the Delhi batter played in 2021, he scored 297 runs at an average of 59.40. Despite not scoring a century, his performances for the men in blue this year were impactful. 2) Janneman Malan Janneman Malan/ (Photo Source: Getty Images) Janneman Malan has started his international career in style. As of now, he is the second-highest run-scorer in the 50-over format in 2021. With 509 runs in just seven one-dayers, he proved to everyone why he was rated so highly among several cricket pundits. The Proteas batter averaged a whopping 84.83 with a strike rate of 92.04 in ODIs this year. This includes two fifties and two centuries as well. His ability to score runs without breaking a sweat is a rare talent. Moreover, the 25-year-old currently has an ODI batting average of 82.62. Thus, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that he’s the next big thing in Proteas cricket. With such an amazing start to his career, it wouldn’t be surprising if the youngster is given a longer run in South Africa’s XI. 3) Fakhar Zaman Fakhar Zaman. (Photo Source: Twitter) ODIs have always been Fakhar Zaman‘s favourite format. However, he was at his absolute best in 2021. Contrary to what his critics say, the attacking batter was scoring runs consistently. His 193 against South Africa at Johannesburg was a knock of ages. Not only is it the highest ODI score of 2021 as of now, but it spoke volumes of his temperament. That wasn’t it as he went on to score another century in the next match and thus, helped his side win the game. Thus, the 31-year-old went on to win the player of the series award as well. It was a pity that he only played six ODIs this year and not more. 4) Babar Azam (C) Babar Azam. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images) 2021 saw Babar Azam proving one and all why he is currently one of the best player in the world. Like a true leader, the batting genius led from the front and kept scoring runs for his side. In ODIs this year, he scored 405 runs in just six games at an average of 67.50. This includes two centuries and a fifty as well. The fact that all of them came against strong teams like South Africa and England make them even sweeter. The Pakistan captain even managed to beat the Proteas at their den. Despite getting whitewashed against the Brits, he managed to score a brilliant 158 from just the 139 deliveries in the third and final ODI. With the way the 27-year-old has been batting of late, it wouldn’t be surprising if goes on to become one of the greatest ODI batters ever. 5) Mushfiqur Rahim (WK) Mushfiqur Rahim. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Over the last few years, Mushfiqur Rahim has significantly improved as a batter. However, it was in 2021 when he took it to the next level. The keeper-batter could easily walk into the ODI side of Bangladesh as a pure batter. The veteran is the sixth-highest run-getter of 2021 in ODIs. He has scored 407 runs in just nine games, with a best of 125. His batting average and strike rate in one-dayers this year are 58.14 and 76.64 respectively. This includes two fifties and a hundred as well. The fact that he has scored so many runs despite batting in the middle-order makes this year even more special for him. Last but not the least, he was decent with the gloves as well. 6) Charith Asalanka Charith Asalanka. (Photo source: Alex Davidson/Getty Images) Charith Asalanka is rated highly among the cricket pundits. The batter has been phenomenal in the last 12 months, to say the least. He is one of the major reasons why Sri Lanka was so good this year. Despite batting mostly in the middle overs, the left-handed batter was able to consistently score runs. While he has scored 326 runs in eight one-dayers this year, it came at an average of 40.75 per game. Another important point to be noted is the fact that he played against top-class sides such as England, India and South Africa. He went on to win the player of the series award during the three-match ODI series against the Proteas. 7) Wanindu Hasaranga Wanindu Hasaranga. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images) Wanindu Hasaranga has been one of the most influential players of 2021. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that he was the best all-rounder in ODIs this year. Not only did he pick wickets, but he also scored runs during crunch situations for his side. When it comes to his performance with the bat, the all-rounder scored 356 runs in 14 one-dayers and averaged 27.38. While his strike rate was 94.68, he also hit 24 boundaries and 13 sixes. The leggie also picked 12 wickets in 13 innings at an average of 46.00. His economy rate was 4.56, which is more than decent in this format of the game. Thus, the 24-year-old was Sri Lanka’s blue-eyed boy. 8) Mitchell Starc Mitchell Starc. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images) Despite not being in the best of form, Mitchell Starc finds himself on this list, and this shows how high his standards truly are. The speedster played just three ODIs this year, yet managed to impress one and all, at least in ODIs. The pacer managed to pick 11 wickets in these three games, and all of them came against the West Indies. This includes a fifer in the first ODI as well. Thus, the Aussie went on to win the player of the Series award too. The best part about his performance was his economy rate, which was just 4.56. Because the 31-year-old was leaking runs in the other two formats, this came as a huge sigh of relief. 9) Haris Rauf Haris Rauf. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images) Of late, Haris Rauf has been one of the key players for Pakistan in ODIs. The pacer has been a game-changer for the Babar Azam-led side more often than not. He has a knack for picking wickets at regular intervals. However, his USP has to be his bowling at the death. Thus, he was the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in ODIs this year. The Melbourne Stars pacer picked 13 wickets in just six games. While his ODI bowling average this year is 24.46, his strike rate is 23.5. This includes a four-fer, which came against England. While an economy rate of 6.23 might be alarming, one shouldn’t forget the fact that he generally bowls the difficult overs. 10) Tabraiz Shamsi Tabraiz Shamsi. (Photo by Gareth Copley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images) Tabraiz Shamsi is unarguably one of the best performers of 2021. It’s a pity that his T20I performances overshadowed his performances in the 50-over format. Nevertheless, he was one of the biggest contributors for the Proteas in the 50-over format of the game in 2021. The spinner picked 14 wickets in just eight innings, with his best figures being 5/49. The fact that his bowling average in one-dayers this year is just 26.35 is commendable. His ability to pick wickets during the middle overs is what made him a force to reckon with in 2021. Moreover, even the best of the best batters struggled to read him. Although the Temba Bavuma-led side lost the series against Sri Lanka, the wrist-spinner was one of the few positives for them. With eight wickets in the three ODIs, he finished as the leading wicket-taker of the ODI series between the two sides. 11) Mustafizur Rahman Mustafizur Rahman. (Photo by Andy Kearns/Getty Images) Mustafizur Rahman is fourth on the list of the leading wicket-taker in the 50-over format in 2021. The Bangladesh star has had a year to remember so far. There’s a reason why he is currently rated as one of the best bowlers in limited-overs cricket. “Fizz” picked 18 wickets in just 10 games at an average of 21.55. His strike rate was on the lower side as well (25.6). Despite bowling all the tough overs, his economy rate this year in ODIs has been just 5.03. Thus, the pacer was the silent assassin for Bangladesh. He often went about his job silently. Hence, his fans expect to continue his good form in 2022 as well.

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