The Best of 2017: ODI XI of the year

2017 has been through a lot of cricketing action across the globe. The limited-overs format has seen a great phase with a lot of interesting games. The second biggest event in ODI cricket, i.e. the Champions Trophy provided a sensational dose of cricketing element with it. It produced a dream final with India and Pakistan locking horns for the title. This year saw some players achieve tremendous success with the bat, some excellent spells with the ball and electrifying catches with exceptional fielding standards maintained by all the teams. Combining all these factors, we’ve selected an ODI team based on their performances this year. Here’s the ODI XI of 2017: 1. Rohit Sharma (India) Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: Twitter) The swashbuckling Indian opener had a fascinating run in 2016. Coming back from an injury that he suffered last year, Rohit Sharma produced some sensational knocks at the top of the order. His clean striking was a real a treat to watch. The fact that he hit 46 sixes this year is a proof of his dominance at the crease and the entertainment quotient as well. Also the Indian vice-captain, Rohit has the second highest run tally in ODIs this year with 1293 runs under his belt. He scored an amazing 6 centuries this year which is the joint highest alongside Virat Kohli. With a staggering average of 71.83, Rohit walks into the XI as the opener. 2. Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka) Sri Lanka’s Upul Tharanga. (Photo by JON SUPER/AFP/Getty Images) Upul Tharanga has been a reliable batsman for Sri Lanka. He is amongst the three players to have crossed the 1000-run mark in 2017. Ever since the departure of the stalwarts like Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, Tharanga has managed to carry the burden on his shoulders and has excelled as well. While Sri Lanka haven’t had a great year, he continued to impress maintaining an average of 48.14 this year. He has guided the Sri Lankan middle order time and again and stood as a lone warrior numerous times for the team. With a total of 1011 runs this year, he rightfully grabs the second spot. 3. Virat Kohli (India) Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Twitter) King Kohli is a significant description for the excellence that he has exhibited with the bat. Years keep passing by and Virat Kohli keeps getting just better. His reputation as a tough guy and fiercely talented cricketer has remained the same over the years. No target on the board seems unachievable till this man is on strike. Slamming 6 centuries and 7 fifties this year, Virat has been the highest run-scorer in One-Day Internationals this year. With the persistence he has achieved, he set batting standards to a level that is probably unmatchable. At a phenomenal average of 76.84, Kohli has managed to aggregate 1460 runs this year. As a captain, he led India to five series wins and they made it to the Champions Trophy final. A marvel at his game, there cannot be a better contender than him at No.3 as well as the captaincy post. 4. Joe Root (England) Joe Root of England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) The stylish England batsman has had a meteoric rise in international cricket. The 26-year-old has continued to excel in 2017 as well translating his undoubted class from the traditional form to the limited-overs format. The English vice-captain piled up 983 runs this year. At a stunning average of 61.23, Joe Root compiled 2 centuries and 7 fifties. He has been a pillar for England in the middle order and stepped up every time his team required a special effort from him. He stands right at the top of our middle order. 5. Babar Azam (Pakistan) Babar Azam of Pakistan. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images) Babar Azam has shot to prominence in the Pakistani side with his splendid batting in the middle order. The youngster has shown promising signs and is touted as the next big thing in Pakistan cricket. The 23-year-old has been really consistent for his team, having scored four centuries this year. Boasting of a terrific average of 67.07, Babar has aggregated 872 runs this year. Leaving the Champions Trophy, the prolific batsman scored a hundred in every series he played this year. He certainly has loads of potential and skill. He may well turn out to be the rising star for Pakistan in the coming years. 6. Ben Stokes (England) Ben Stokes of England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) The transformation of Ben Stokes has been extraordinary. From being the bowler who got hit for four consecutive sixes in the WT20 final to being the most valuable asset in the English lineup. His pinch-hitting skills, as well as his ability to slide in breakthroughs, makes him a precious asset in any side. Alongside an amazing run tally of 616 runs this year, he has also taken 14 wickets. The versatility he provides to the team in all departments, distinguishes him as a must in this ODI XI. His fielding has also been sharp which leave no aspect unaddressed. 7. MS Dhoni (wk) (India) MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: Twitter) Probably at the last phase of his career, MS Dhoni is one of the greatest limited-over players in modern day cricket. Having stepped down as the Indian captain, Dhoni has been a magnificent proposition for his team in the lower order. He achieved a fair bit of individual milestones this year and is on the brink of completing 10,000 runs in ODIs. Having scored 788 runs at a brilliant average of 60.61, Dhoni played some breathtaking knocks this year. His efficiency has rescued India time and again, almost every time the top order failed to deliver. The way he has managed to instil faith inspite of batting with tailenders is laudable. Even with the wicketkeeping gloves, he has continued to succeed line none other and is the best man behind the stumps in world cricket. 8. Hasan Ali (Pakistan) Hasan Ali. (Photo Source: Twitter) Forming a crucial part of the Pakistani pace attack, the right-arm pacer has earmarked success at a very young age and is still raring to go. His dynamic approach with the ball, has made life difficult for most batsmen who’ve faced him. He was a crusader in Pakistan’s maiden Champions Trophy title win with a tally of 13 wickets. He was also rewarded the Player of the Tournament. The bowler also created a havoc in the Sri Lankan series and he ended up as the highest wicket-taker this year with 45 wickets. His bowling average of 17.04 is a sublime proof of the fear he has instilled in the minds of the batsmen. 9. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) Rashid Khan. (Photo Source: Twitter) The leg-breaker from Afghanistan has continued to make his mark as one of the best limited-overs bowlers with some stunning performances. In an era, where batsmen have become more innovative with their shots, an economy rate of 3.80 defines how unbelievably good Rashid was this year. The 19-year-old scalped 43 wickets throughout the year including figures of 7/18 in a match against West Indies. He has the second highest wicket tally and the most by a spinner this year. Without any second thoughts, Rashid Khan is the specialist spinner of our ODI XI. 10. Jasprit Bumrah (India) Jasprit Bumrah of India. (Photo by Kieran Galvin/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Armed with an unorthodox action, Jasprit Bumrah has managed to contain and curtail batsmen with utmost efficiency in white ball cricket. His ability to throw in yorkers at the death and bowl tight overs at that stage of the game has given his team the winning edge most times. Having emerged as the leader of the Indian pace attack this year, the youngster bagged 39 wickets at an illustrious bowling average of 26.25. While he did have a forgettable outing in the Champions Trophy final, the way he came back and portrayed his finesse is praiseworthy. His economy rate of 3.63 also ensures nothing has come easy for the batsmen. The 22-year-old has already shown traits of a great fast bowler and has been an apt solution to Indian death bowling woes for the last couple of years. 11. Liam Plunkett (England) England’s Liam Plunkett. (Photo by JON SUPER/AFP/Getty Images) In recent times, Liam Plunkett has enhanced his reputation by proving to be a significant threat to the batsmen. His brilliance with the ball has impressed many. Rising above ranks in the English rooster, the 32-year-old has proved his audacity as a top-notch pacer. With 36 wickets at a sumptuous average of 22.47, the England speedster has dazzled the batsmen around the world with his bowling. His ability to swing the ball both ways has churned a lot of wickets for him. The trio of Plunkett, Bumrah and Hasan will form a formidable pace attack.cri

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The Best of 2017: ODI XI of the year

The best players from the top teams form our ODI XI of the year 2017.

5. Babar Azam (Pakistan)

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