World's best under-25 XI in ODI cricket

The general notion is that a youngster is best suited for limited overs cricket. Especially with the influx of T20, we have been seeing more runs being scored in the 50 over format. Players have become agile and their fielding prowess is also being taken into consideration. So keeping that in mind, we decided to find out the world’s best under-25 eleven. The criteria to make it to the list is that a player should be aged 25 and below. They have been picked based on their performances in the ODI arena over the past 12 to 18 months. New Zealand’s Trent Boult didn’t make the cut since he will be turning 26 in a few days time.

#1 Paul Stirling

Stirling can also bowl tidy spells

We start off with a player from an associate nation! Irish opener Paul Stirling’s presence is vital as he can also bowl decent off-spin (which is crucial as you will find out later). His career economy is 4.5 and has picked up 29 wickets so far. He is an explosive opener and can take the game away from you if he is let off the hook in the initial overs.

He has two one day hundreds against Pakistan in his career and also made a match winning 92 against the Windies in the recently concluded World Cup.

#2 Quinton De Kock

De Kock is South Africa’s future

Yes, Quinton had a tough time in the World Cup recently and was able to deliver only in the quarterfinal match against Sri Lanka, but he deserves to be here. He is one of those stars who is ready to take World Cricket by storm over the next ten years.

Prior to the World Cup, he scored a hundred against the West Indies. He came into the limelight by scoring three consecutive hundreds 18 months ago against India back at home. He won’t be the wicket-keeper though as we have reserved those duties for someone else.

#3 Kane Williamson (Captain)

Williamson has been prolific for two years now

Is anyone really surprised? This man has been in the form of his life (imagine how he would bat at his peak) and hence he is also our captain for this young side since he is being touted as New Zealand’s next captain.

Had he performed in the WC final, things might have been different. He scored 760 runs in just 12 matches in 2014 at an average of 69.09. This year, he has scored more than 1000 runs already at an average of 57 and a strike rate of 93.

#4 Joe Root

England’s batting order will revolve around Root in the future

After the stunning 3-2 series win against New Zealand, England’s new attacking brand of Cricket has been praised by many. And hence, we have the 24-year-old Joe Root who was one of the catalysts behind the win.

He also scored a superb hundred in the World Cup against Sri Lanka and has accumulated more than 500 runs this year with an average of 44 and strike rate of 93. He is definitely the future of this English batting line-up.

#5 Lahiru Thirimanne

Thirimanne knows how to bat at number 5 and 6

Sri Lankan batsman Thirimanne is the ideal middle order batsman to compliment this flamboyant top order. Even though he tasted success as an opener in the recently concluded World Cup, we have put him in at number 5 since knows how to bat in the middle order.

He scored a match-winning hundred against England batting alongside the maestro Kumar Sangakkara. With the retirements of Sanga and Mahela, Lahiru will have to shoulder more responsibility for Sri Lanka. He averages 41 with the bat in 2015 so far.

#6 Corey Anderson

Anderson can contribute with the ball too

At number 6, we have the explosive 24-year-old Kiwi, Corey Anderson. He came into the spotlight in 2014 with a 36-ball hundred against the Windies. He also has a golden arm as he picks wickets whenever he comes onto bowl.

His bowling average in 2015 is 21 as he has picked 25 wickets in 17 games. His economy is more than 6 though which is understandable as teams generally look to go after him. His knock was crucial for the Blackcaps in their epic win against South Africa in the WC semifinal.

#7 Jos Buttler (wicket-keeper)

Buttler likes playing innovative shots

Here’s our wicket-keeper. He is so exciting to watch as he comes in during the death overs and goes after the bowling straight away. He is one of those very few batsmen who has been striking at more than 100 (111 to be precise) this year.

He is averaging close to 42 with one hundred and two fifties in 2015. He was the only one to put up some resistance against Bangladesh in their shocking loss during theThe World Cup group game. Recently, he has also established himself in the Test team.

#8 James Faulkner

Watch out for those back of the hand slower deliveries

The World Cup final’s man of the match finds himself a spot in the team. The 25-year-old all rounder has been one of the players who has been destined to become a great. Even though he missed a few games with injury, he came back strong to pick three wickets each against India and New Zealand in the semifinal and final respectively.

He is also one of the best finishers in limited overs cricket in recent times and having him at number 8 will only give the batsmen more freedom. He is a death overs specialist with the ball too as his yorkers and slower deliveries have been accurate.

#9 Jason Holder

Holder has been leading the Windies in ODI cricket

The West Indies cricket board sprung a surprise by appointing Holder as their ODI skipper ahead of the World Cup. The youngster has shown tremendous character ever since and has become a vital member of the side. There are even calls to make him their next Test skipper after their recent debacle against Australia.

He has also shown the world that he can bat properly despite coming in at number 8 or 9. This year, he averages 34 with the bat in ODIs at a strike rate of 100 and has picked 17 wickets with the ball.

#10 Mitchell Starc

Starc’s reverse swinging yorkers have been tough to handle

Mitchell Starc is the hottest property in World Cricket at the moment. At a time when batsmen are dominating ODI cricket, it is refreshing to see a left-arm quick sending shivers down the spines of every single batsman out there.

He swings the new ball with pace, and gets reverse swing from the older ball to go with those inch-perfect yorkers. He was named the player of the tournament of the World Cup this year as he helped Australia clinch the title back. He has picked a whopping 34 wickets in just 13 games this year.

#11 Mohammed Shami

Shami was India's best bowler in the World Cup

With a bowling average of just 20 in 2015, Shami makes the cut. He is the only Indian to make this list as he impressed one and all in the World Cup as he constantly bowled in the right areas. He has picked 19 wickets this year and was forced to miss the IPL and India's short trip to Bangladesh with an injury.

India has high hopes on him as he is expected to lead the bowling attack with success in the years to come.