Best XI across all three formats in 2020

The year 2020 will be remembered for the hardships and adversities faced by millions across the world. While the pandemic continued to play the spoilsport, world cricket went into an unprecedented sabbatical for over 6 months. As things panned out, the three lions welcomed the Men-in-Maroon amidst the strictest of health protocols. Taking refuge under the bio-bubble setup, cricketing arena busted into regular actions all around the globe gradually.

As the year experienced a stooping low number of International matches, cricketers wanted to stamp their authority on the 22-yards at all cost. Be it the longest format of the game or limited-overs cricket, players displayed the propensity of relentless vigour and zest as soon as they stepped onto the field.

Having said that, this article weighs on the Best XI cricketers in all 3 formats combined who headlined the pages for their intense efforts. The line-up signifies the ability of cricketers to remain consistent with their performance on regular basis. Interestingly, the likes of heavyweights Virat Kohli and Steve Smith have failed to make a century celebration throughout the year. Will they cement their position into the star-studded list? Let’s find it out!

 Best XI cricketers in all the formats

1. Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch is one of the finest willow-wielders in modern-day cricket. The Australia-based cricketer rose up the ranks on the back of brilliant leadership skills coupled with pinch-hitting power. The opener apparently never fails to put the kangaroos on the position of strength. His enriching experience has helped him to calm his nerves under immense pressure.

The swashbuckler boasts a memorable year as reflective from his scorecard. His power-hitting ability gives the Aussies an impetus to post a huge target on board or achieve one while batting second. In the year 2020, Aaron smashed around 643 runs against the likes of India, South Africa and England. Moreover, he thrashed an unbeaten 110 against the Men-in-blue in the first ODI of the 3-match series playing in his home soil.

Eventually, Aussies toppled the Indian bowling line-up to seal the match comprehensively.  Hence, he cements the opening spot in the high-profile list. It will be exciting to see whether the 34-year-old continues to provide a robust foundation to the team batting line-up.

2. Quinton De Kock

The South Africa based cricketer has established himself in the cricketing fraternity as a prolific match-winner. Quinton De Kock walks down the dressing room as an opener. He enjoys dominating the opposition bowling line-up from the word go. In 121 ODI matches, the top-order decimator has notched 5135 runs at an average of 44.6 for the rainbow nation.

Talking about his batting rendition in the pandemic-marred year, the limited-overs skipper got into his mould and notched around 400-odd runs. The power-hitter smashed a scintillating century against the English bowlers in the first ODI early in the year. The Proteas went on to choke the three lions comprehensively with 7 wickets in hand.

Eventually, the 28-year-old grabs the second slot on the back of his healthy strike rate which gives the team a good start. The batsman would cherish to hunt plenty of runs alongside the like of Aaron Finch.

3. Babar Azam

Babar Azam has emerged as a shining light in the Pakistan cricket team. The premier batsman is a great match-reader as he swiftly changes his gears to inch his team closer to triumph. After debuting for his country-land back in 2015, he has plundered 17 International centuries till now. In 77 ODIs, he has scored 3580 runs whereas 2045 runs in the longest format of the game.

Taking a look at his performance in this year from the prism of statistics, Babar launched severe assaults on opposition teams single-handedly. In the match against Bangla tigers, he roared 143 runs in the first innings of the one-off test match. Hence, the Azhar Ali -led side won the Test by an innings and 44 runs. Moreover, he played a century and 25 runs knock against Zimbabwe in the 3^rd ODI at the iconic Rawalpindi cricket stadium.

Hence, the right-hander breaks into the world’s best team as the first down batsman who can carry forward the innings swiftly and efficiently.

4. Kane Williamson (C)

If there is one cricketer who can consistently perform despite the team being under the pump, then it is none other than Kane Williamson. The Tauranga-born mercurial batsman broke into the limelight at the age of 20 years. As things turned out, the formidable cricketer was handed the baton of captainship from the hands of stalwart Brendon McCullum in 2015. His pursuit of dominating the opposition remains inexorable. The great-timer of the leather has become the backbone of the Kiwi batting line-up.

While the year 2020 wreaked havoc on the human race, Kane had a memorable 12 months as he hammered centuries after centuries with comfort and ease. The 30-year-old went all guns blazing against the Caribbean nation as he smashed 251 runs in the first test match. Apart from the extraordinary rendition with the wood, the Kiwi mainstay struck 129 runs against the green army to end the year on a robust note. In all, Kane racked 498 runs in the longest format of the game.

Subsequently, he ticks all the boxes to feature in the dream XI squad. Also, he dons the skipper’s hat who will lead the team from the front. Needless to say, the right-hander will raise his hand up when the team demands from him the most.

5. Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes has etched his name as one of the greatest who can turn the course of the match within the wink of the eyes. England cricket team always cherishes his presence on the cricket field. Be it, Ben Stokes, as a bowler or Ben Stokes as a batsman, he masters the art of performing under scathing pressure all times. His unbeaten knock in the World Cup finale in 2019 will forever remain immortal in the hearts and minds of his fans.

The New Zealand-born cricketer sports a brilliant performing hat in the year which hosted a very low number of matches. Riding on his blistering 641 runs with the bat in the red-ball cricket, the three lions have wrapped up the formalities on apparently all occasions in the 2020 calendar year.

In the T20I, the 30-year-old made merry of opposition whacking 126 runs in 5 innings at an astounding strike rate of 141.6. The prolific match-winner takes away the 5^th spot as the vital cog in the team’s machinery. He is expected to pull off some blinder from his illustrious bag of prowess.

6. Hardik Pandya

It will be searing injustice if Hardik Pandya’s name does not echo in this list of elite professionals. The messiah of Indian cricket after the top-order collapses, the Baroda-based cricketer walks down the dressing room as an epitome of hope and pride. The pinch-hitter cherishes to dispatch the ball all over the ground in the limited-overs cricket. Hence, his quick-fire cameos add an extra 40-60 runs in the team’s account.

Hardik had a memorable year with the bat so far. After recuperating from injuries, the 27-year-old took the guards against the Aussies in the latter half of the year. He garnered 210 runs in 3 ODI matches at an impressive average of 105 and 78 runs in 20-over format laced up with 5 sixes and 4 fours.

Hence, the in-form batsman will do significant justice to his position in the world’s best team. It will be a thing to watch as to how he carry forwards his brilliant momentum in the coming year with India.

7. Ravindra Jadeja

There is no team all around the world who will drop an extravagant player like Ravindra Jadeja. Indian cricket always celebrates the presence of one of the sharpest cricketing minds in the team. The 32-year-old has garnered spotlight for his extraordinary ability to grab prized wickets with the ball at the right time. Moreover, he has been a prime all-rounder for the Indian team as he has shown his class with the willow plenty of times.

The left-hander has stroked as many as 223 runs in 7 ODIs this year. With the ball, Jadeja never fails to impress his fans and experts. The tweaker scalped 16 crucial breakthroughs in all forms of cricket this year.

Hence, Jadeja along with Pandya has been a dream combo which the Men-in-blue has always dreamt off. Eventually, the street-smart cricketer secures the 7^th position in this high-profile list of players.

8. Adil Rashid

The England-based tweaker has etched his name as one of the rising stars in the cricketing horizon. Adil Rashid boasts an unconventional action which given him an edge against other tweakers. Till now, he has represented the Britons in 34 Test innings collecting 60 wickets much to his credit. Also, In 100 ODIs, Adil has produced several rippers grabbing 155 heads.

The spin-king was in red-hot form with the ball in 2020. In 11 T20s and 12 ODIs, the leg-break specialist trapped as many as 12 wickets respectively. Thus, Adil has sent shockwaves in opposition batting line-up with his lethal deliveries.

Hence, the 32-year-old pitches his candidature for the Best XI squad of the year 2020. A spinning wizard in this team will help the team to snatch some early wickets.

9.  Shaheen Afridi

The Pakistan-based lethal speedster has everything going in favour of him in recent times. Shaheen Shah Afridi has assailed the batting line-up of heavyweights single-handedly. The budding youngster possesses huge talent on his wrist and shoulders. He has pushed himself in the right direction as it is reflective from his bowling tally.

Subsequently, Pakistan cricket team uses this ballistic ammunition predominantly during crunch situations. Bowling right on the money, he has bludgeoned 39 dismissals in 17 test matches till now. Speaking about his performance in 2020, Shaheen looked promising for the Men-in-Green as he bagged 13 wickets in 11 matches giving his team an edge towards the opposition.

However, he has plucked as good as 14 wickets in 7 test matches. Eventually, Afridi secures the 9^th slot on the back of some robust bowling rendition which gave the batting unit the power to score runs without much pressure.

10. Pat Cummins

The Aussie tearaway bowler made great use of his natural skills as he swung the red-cherry uniformly in the Test matches. The tall speedster is known for his deceptive deliveries much to the surprise of batting heavyweights. Pat Cummins spearheads the Aussie bowling unit along with Mitchel Starc sending chills down the opposition spines.

In the year 2020, the right-arm quick plucked 14 heads in 5 test matches whereas 15 massive dismissals in 11 matches at an economy of 7.85. As far as the T20I is concerned, he toppled 5 wickets in 5 matches.

Hence, the bowling brilliant has achieved impeccable milestones in his career one after another. Thus, the 27-year-old takes down the 10^th spot in the emphatic team aced with powerful bowling nukes.

11. Trent Boult

Trent Boult emerged as the nerve-wracking fast bowler from the land of New Zealand which had produced the greats of Richard Hadlee and many more. His profound pace laced up with fierce swing makes the batsman an edge-prone candidate.

The kiwi has etched a huge name in the bowling department in the cricketing fraternity. In 2020, the lethal bowler picked 20 wickets in only 9 Test matches which speak volumes about his charm with the leather.

Hence, his potential to annihilate the modern maestros on the other end gives him an upper hand to seal his position in the Best XI of the calendar year 2020 across all formats. Needless to say, his presence will boost the morale of the team.