Best XI from the players who retired in 2018

2. Alastair Cook (England) (C)

Accompanying Gambhir would be Alastair Cook – the legendary left-handed batsman who also captained England in 59 Tests, and 69 ODIs. Cook bid adieu to international cricket with a Test century in his last Test and also became only the fifth batsman to hit a century in his debut and final Test. Cook notched-up a brilliant 71 in the 1st innings besides his 147 in the 2nd innings against India.

Having played his last international game against India, Chef played 161 Test, 92 ODI, and 4 T20Is. Although Cook didn’t relish stately T20I records, he had an overpowering Test and ODI record. Being a part of 161 Tests, Cook accumulated 12472 runs at an average of 45.35. Moreover, from 92 ODIs, the experienced campaigner racked up 3204 runs at an average of 36.40.

Accounting for the highest Test runs among the English batsmen – 12472 to be precise – Cook asks for a place in this XI. Cook also has an impressive captaincy record in Tests, and ODIs. He accounts for the second most number of wins as a captain, both in Tests (24) and ODIs (36). Thus, with such a prominent captaincy record, Alastair would be the one to captain the side as well.