Best Right-Handed XI of the currently active players in the world

Although left-handers have always looked classy in their gameplay, a majority of the world-records are held by the Right-Handed players. Needless to say that their playing hand is secondary, it is the self-determination and potential that molds a player. Some of the greatest players to have played the sport, the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan were all righties.

The current generation has also produced players who’ve aced all others with their class and persistence in the trade. From the likes of Indian skipper Virat Kohli to young Afghanistan player Rashid Khan, there is a tremendous pool of talented cricketers who are making a huge mark in international cricket. In this article, we form a playing XI comprising of orthodox right-handers who are currently at the epitome of their game.

Hashim Amla (South Africa)

The flagbearer of class and flair, Hashim Amla is amongst the top 5 batsmen currently in the world. A linchpin at the top of the order, the right-hander is heralded for his inch-perfect timing and exquisite strokeplay.

The 35-year-old, who made his ODI debut in 2008 against Bangladesh, has opened the innings for South Africa in 164 matches, scoring 7,535 runs at an average of 50.23. The first South African to hit 26 ODI centuries, Amla got his highest score of 159 against Ireland during the 2015 ICC World Cup at Canberra.

Rohit Sharma (India)

The numero uno opening batsman going by stats, India opener Rohit Sharma is an explosive weapon at the top. Known for his hard-hitting abilities, Rohit knows his defence well. 6594 runs in 180 matches at an average of 44.55 and a strike-rate nearing 90; those numbers are phenomenal for a batsman irrespective of the format and that is what makes Rohit Sharma the best opener at the moment.

Earlier last year, during the ODI leg against Sri Lanka, the talismanic right-hander registered a historic third double hundred. With the feat, Rohit became the only cricketer to score more than one double hundred in ODIs. He achieved the feat not once, not twice but thrice. Four other batsmen who have achieved a double century in ODIs are Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Chris Gayle and Martin Guptill – with only one each.

Virat Kohli (India)

The India skipper enjoyed a bumper year in 2017, shattering a number of records across all the formats of the game. Kohli scored 1460 runs in 26 matches at an average of 76.84 and was the leading run scorer of last year. The number one batsman in ODI format, having Kohli on the team sheet is like a blessing.

A match-winner and a never tiring run-machine, Kohli can single-handedly pursue a run chase and guide the team over the rope with comfortable ease. Known for his aggressive captaincy and audacious batting approach, Kohli keeps the ability to decimate any bowling lineup on his day.

Steve Smith (Australia)

Steve Smith is another cricketer who had a scintillating 2017. The Aussie skipper entered the record books with his exploits as he led Australia to a 4-0 whitewash over visitors England to reclaim the Ashes urn. Steven Smith’s rise as a batsman has been quite incredible, considering the fact that he was selected as a leg-spinner and used to bat in the lower order. However, from 2013 onwards, he became a top order batsman and has since then gone on to become one of the world’s best.

The 28-year-old, who made his ODI debut in 2010 against West Indies, has played in 108 matches, amassing 3431 runs at an average of 41.84. Smith got his highest score of 164 against New Zealand in 2016.

Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Born in Lahore, Pakistan top-order batsman Babar Azam came up the ladder of age-group cricket featuring in the under-19 World Cup in 2010 and 2012. He skippered in the 2012 edition and was also the leading run scorer for Pakistan

In Babar Azam, Pakistan have an able batsman with a steady head. He is also a decent part-time off-spinner that has not been explored much in the international circuit. Azam, meanwhile, has figured in 41 ODIs till date and racked up 1789 runs at an average of 51.11 with seven centuries and as many half-centuries.

MS Dhoni (India)

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni, without a shadow of a doubt, is the best finisher that the limited overs game has ever seen. Blessed with a range of strokes and a calm temperament, the reason for Dhoni’s greatness as a finisher is due to the calmness of his mind. At least that is the view from the outside, in a run-chase irrespective of the situation that might be confronting him. There was a time when India was absolutely awful while chasing totals in ODI cricket, but those days are well and truly past now, largely ever since the wicketkeeper-batsman’s arrival.

Not just his batting skills, Dhoni is lightning fast behind the stumps as well. And only recently in the ongoing series against South Africa, the gloveman entered the 400 dismissals club. He stands fourth on the list of wicket-keepers with the highest number of dismissals in ODIs. Dhoni has 297 catches and 107 stumpings to his name in ODIs with much more to come.

Ravichandran Ashwin (India)

Despite his ageing career, Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been amongst the top strata of spinners. Heralded for his carrom ball, an arm ball just as good, his control over his off-breaks, and a sharp brain has made Ashwin a quintessential limited-overs spinner. Although with the dawn of young spinners Ashwin’s chances have been limited in the Indian ODI team, with a bagful of tricks and umpteen experience the matchwinner is irreplaceable from any squad.

His stats of  150 ODI wickets at a commendable economy rate of 4.91 only serves as a testament to the bowler’s skills. The dapper off-spinner also achieved a unique feat last year. The 31-year-old became the fastest cricketer to claim 300 Test scalps eclipsing the likes of Australian veteran Dennis Lillee.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

ICC Associate Cricketer of the Year winner for 2017, Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan has taken great strides ever since his foray into international cricket. Not a big turner of the ball, he puts batsmen under constant pressure by bowling quickly through the air, akin to his bowling idol Shahid Afridi, while maintaining a stump-to-stump line. His biggest weapon is a very accurate googly.

An athletic fielder, Rashid can come in handy scoring quick runs at the bottom and is always an option that a skipper will be seeking to have. In just the 43 matches he has played, the associate cricketer has picked up a whopping 100 wickets at an economy rate of 3.96. 

Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Coming through the ranks of Mumbai Indians in the IPL, Bumrah’s unorthodox action coupled with his variations makes him a lethal weapon in the limited overs format. Armed with an anomalous, sling-arm action and natural pace, the peculiar release point of Bumrah’s deliveries makes it hard for batsmen to pick him.

The 24-year-old has been extremely impressive with the ball picking up 64 wickets in just 37 ODI matches. Following his sublime form, the 24-year-old went on to earn his Test debut in the South Africa series earlier in the year. Albeit the Men in Blue lost, Bumrah’s exploits were seen as a huge positive going into the future.

Hasan Ali (Pakistan)

A spearhead in Pakistan’s bowling attack Hasana Ali boasts of a simple bowling action with a blend of variations up his sleeves. Coming through the ranks of club cricket he failed to make it to the youth squads at the national level. His big break came in the 2015 National T20 Cup in where he picked up eight wickets in four matches under the captaincy of Shoaib Malik. Since then there has been no stopping the speedster and played an integral role in the finals of the CT 2017 to help Pakistan lift the trophy for the first time.

The 5th ranked bowler in ICC ODI rankings, Hasan Ali did everything right to earn the spot. Ever since his debut in 2016, Ali has evolved into a deadly arsenal in the Pakistan line-up. 62 wickets in 30 matches with 3 five-wicket haul, the statistics are not enough to describe the impact Ali has on the field.

Josh Hazlewood (Australia)

A tall and robust fast bowler who is unrelenting in his line and length, Josh Hazlewood has evolved into one of the most lethal bowlers of the modern game. The 27-year old’s emergence ignited the imagination of onlookers for good reason. Since the retirement of the peerless Glenn McGrath, the cricket world had been scavenging for a tall metronome. Needless to say, comparisons began to float around regarding the potential of the promising talent.

With scintillating figures of 69 wickets at an economy of 4.73 in just 41 matches, Hazlewood has the promise of becoming one of the pioneers of modern day fast bowling.