Virat Kohli, Rashid Khan, Jos Buttler and more make up the anatomy of the perfect cricketer

Here, we highlight the strengths of a variety of players and uses the blended mix to mould our perfect cricketer. Enjoy!

ANATOMY OF THE PERFECT CRICKETER

Intelligence – MS Dhoni

He’s masterminded India’s success across all formats with his tactical nous and innovation giving his side an edge. His choices were as bold and unorthodox as they were effective and the same rings true of his batting.

Power – Andre Russell

With a staggering 54 sixes in 13 innings during IPL 2019, the West Indies batsman staked his claim as the best power-hitter in the game. The consistency with which he bludgeons deliveries into the stands is frightening. He’s got it down to a science.

Pace – Kagiso Rabada

The South African quick is the real deal. Not only is he capable of clocking some of the fastest balls in world cricket, but he regularly bowls in the 140-150kph range with supreme discipline. The youngster could get even quicker.

Innovation – Jos Buttler

The England batsman boasts great technique but it’s his penchant for the audacious that’s made him a T20 superstar and a dangerous customer in ODIs. Whether it’s a ramp shot for six, going inside-out over covers or a heave downfield, Buttler uses the crease expertly and is a nightmare to bowl to.

Timing – Rohit Sharma

The Indian opener has natural talent coming out of his ears. He may not boast the consistency of a run-machine like Virat Kohli, but he can caress a ball into the fence with flawless timing. Be it an elegant drive through the covers or a nonchalant flick off his pads – his impeccable stroke-play is poetry in motion.

Technique – Babar Azam

At just 24, his average of 51.67 in ODIs has cemented his spot in the Pakistan side. With a technique that’s as close to textbook as they come, the No3 batsman is rarely caught playing a loose shot and his best innings have the makings of a comprehensive batting tutorial.

Concentration – Joe Root

Hardly a physical specimen, it’s his doggedness and concentration that’s held the England batsman in good stead throughout his career. He has a reputation for being dependable and naturally assumes the sheet anchor role.

Footwork – Virat Kohli

The Indian skipper has several strengths and his footwork at the crease is certainly one of them. Much of his trademark cover-drive has to do with how he leans into it with his front foot. He uses his feet expertly against spin and when facing pace, he gets on top of deliveries that generate extra bounce.

Running between wickets – David Warner

Batting for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2019, he ran away with the Orange Cap, top-scoring with 692 runs in just 12 innings. However, 48.8 per cent of that tally came from running between the wickets. His ability to turn ones into twos and twos into threes ensures the scoreboard is continuously ticking over.

Fielding – Faf du Plessis

He’s 34 years old but the South African never misses an opportunity to fling himself around in the field, often spectacularly. Not only does he impress with cat-like agility while boasting one of the safest pair of hands in the business, but his quick thinking has made for some outstanding fielding on the ropes.

Swing – Dale Steyn

Such is his talent that many consider him the greatest bowler South Africa has ever produced, even above the legendary Allan Donald. His phenomenal ability to swing the ball both ways at pace has only been aided by his wealth of experience. One of the most feared fast bowlers of all-time.

Spin – Rashid Khan

Bowling wicket-to-wicket, there’s no place for batsmen to hide. There’s little time to read and adjust either as his deliveries cut through the air and skid off the surface. The lack of flight means his leg-spinners don’t generate too much turn but his googly often leaves batsmen bamboozled.

Leadership – Kane Williamson

With his head on his shoulders and feet on the ground, the New Zealand skipper leads by example. He does things by the book at the crease but isn’t averse to thinking outside the box in the field. With his blend of reliability, work-ethic, mental strength and modesty, he’s a natural leader.

Hand-eye coordination – Steve Smith

With one of the most peculiar stances at the crease, there’s something almost unnatural about the Australian’s style. He seems to face the bowler head-on just prior to delivery but everything that should be wrong about his technique is negated by his supreme hand-eye coordination. With 31 international tons to his name, who can argue?

Accuracy – Jasprit Bumrah

Speaking of the unorthodox, the Indian seamer falls into that category as well. It’s one thing to bowl fast consistently; it’s another to do it accurately and despite his short and stuttered run-up, he blends the two better than anyone. With the perfect line and length in an opening spell and deadly yorkers at the death, the 25-year-old deserves his No1 ICC ODI ranking.