Eoin Morgan’s England end the year as the top-ranked ODI outfit as an action-packed 2018 in cricket draws to a close.
There has been no dearth of limited-overs action in 2018 with teams looking to finetune their preparations for the 2019 ICC World Cup to be held in England.
As a potentially blockbuster year for the one-day format approaches, we take a look at the best possible ODI XI from 2018.
Fakhar Zaman
Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman.
The Pakistan opener became the first batsman from his country to register an ODI double ton with a brilliant unbeaten 210 against Zimbabwe. In the process, he also became the fastest batsman in history to notch up 1,000 runs in the format. His form dipped towards the end but an average of over 67 as an opener is nothing to be scoffed at.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit was ridiculously consistent in 2018.
The India limited-overs vice-captain had a stunning calendar year with over 1,000 runs in 19 matches at an average of 73 and a strike-rate of 100. His five tons in 2018 is only behind Virat Kohli (six) as his consistency at the top hit unprecedented heights.
Virat Kohli
Kohli remains the king of ODI cricket.
The No1 ODI batsman once again ended the year as the highest run-scorer with 1,202 runs in 14 matches at an unreal average of over 133. He helped India secure a maiden ODI series win on South African soil to start the year and has not looked back since. Adding six more tons to his kitty, Kohli is now only 11 centuries away from levelling Sachin Tendulkar’s tally (49).
Joe Root
Root with the ‘mic-drop’ at Lord’s.
With England the undisputed ODI kings, it is no surprise to see Root make the cut. The 28-year-old’s back-to-back tons helped hosts England secure a 2-1 series win over the No2 ranked India in the summer. With an average of nearly 60, Root has been one of the main protagonists in England’s stellar 2018 run.
Jonny Bairstow
Bairstow’ had an astonishing strike-rate in 2018.
With four ODI hundred in 2018, Bairstow is only behind Kohli and Rohit in the centuries’ department. The England opener was in fine form throughout 2018 as he became one of only three batsmen to rack up over 1,000 runs. The most impressive aspect of Bairstow’s batting has been his ridiculous scoring rate with his 1,025 runs coming at a strike-rate of over 118.
Shai Hope
Hope came of age in 2018.
It would be a travesty to not include Shai Hope after a coming-of-age year for the Windies batsman. His unbeaten 146 against Bangladesh at Dhaka to snatch a last-gasp win for the tourists was arguably the ODI knock of the year. After failing to fulfill his initial promise in recent years, Hope took 2018 by the scruff of the neck with three tons and as many half-centuries.
Thisara Perera
Perera was consistent with both bat and ball.
The lone Sri Lankan to make the cut, Perera takes the all-rounder’s slot after some decent contributions with both bat and ball in 2018. Although the islanders had a dismal year in the limited-overs format, Perera stood out by picking up 25 wickets in his 14 matches while also chipping in with over 400 runs with the bat in hand.
Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan continues to go places.
The Afghanistan leg-spin prodigy continued his rapid rise in international cricket as he ended the year as the top-ranked ODI bowler. He finished as the top wicket-taker as well with 48 scalps in just 20 matches at an average of less than 15. It was his economy-rate that stood out though with the 20-year-old going at just 3.89 run an over.
Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep was flying in 2018.
It was the year of wrist-spinners in international cricket with India’s Kuldeep Yadav giving Rashid an excellent run for his money. The 24-year-old claimed 45 scalps in 2018 after playing 19 matches and played a key role in India’s ODI triumph in South Africa. Guaranteeing wickets every time he bowled, Kuldeep was India’s go to option whenever the chips were down.
Lungi Ngidi
A sensational ODI debut year for Ngidi.
Having made his ODI debut in the series against India in February, Ngidi took no time to find his feet in international cricket. The South African was the second most prolific pacer in 2018 with 26 wickets in 13 games at an average of 23. That his breakout performances earned him a lucrative IPL contract as well was no surprise.
Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah remains the No1 ODI bowler.
While Bumrah’s meteoric rise in the Test format has been grabbing headline, his limited-overs prowess remains second to none. Ending the year as the top-ranked ODI bowler, Bumrah’s 2018 saw him claim a total of 22 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 16.63 and a phenomenal economy-rate of just 3.62. There are no better death-overs bowlers in the world at the moment.
Honourable mentions – Ross Taylor, Kagiso Rabada, Mushfiqur Rahim, Imam-ul-Haq.
