ODI XI of the year 2015

2015 witnessed the biggest tournament in ODIs, the ODI World Cup, which was won by the Australian team.Throughout the World Cup and even after the coveted tournament there were some players who performed exceedingly well for their teams.There were some players who were in top form in the early part of the year but fizzled out later while some others stepped up their game a little too late in the year.In the ODI XI of the year though there are only those players who performed consistently in the games they played throughout the year. So let’s find out who all make the cut in our ODI XI of 2015:

#1 Martin Guptill

Martin Guptill made heaps of runs in 2015

2015 was a great year for the openers. There were six openers namely Rohit Sharma, David Warner, Soumya Sarkar, Martin Guptill, Hashim Amla and Tillakaratne Dilshan who averaged above 50 in the ODIs this year.

Choosing two amongst these six players was an ardous task but the two openers who made the cut scored the maximum runs amongst these six and were consistent performers throughout the year.

Martin Guptill enjoyed a fruitful year in ODIs. He scored his maiden ODI double ton and played a pivotal role in taking the Kiwis to the World Cup final. Guptill played 29 ODIs in 2015 and scored 1287 runs at an average of 51.48. With such an exceptional year, Guptill makes the cut as an opener in our team.

#2 Tillakaratne Dilshan

Tillakaratne Dilshan has given Sri Lanka great starts this year

Though Tillakaratne Dilshan is in his late thirties his performance graph shows no signs of ageing.Though Sri Lanka exited prematurely from the 2015 World Cup but Dilshan was prolific in the matches that he played.

Even after the World Cup, Dilshan continued his rich vein of form and went on scoring runs at an impressive average. In the 22 ODI games that Dilshan played this year, he scored 1100 runs at an average of 55. With the Lankan team undergoing a transition period, their fans would hope Dilshan remains in the ODI team of the year for 2016 as well.

#3 Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara retired on a high in ODIs

Though Kumar Sangakkara played only 14 ODIs in 2015, as he retired from the format after the World Cup. he left an indelible impression on the ODI setup in those games. Though he would have made the team as a batsman alone, but with him keeping the gloves, it leaves no other competition for the wicketkeeper batsman’s role in our team.

Sangakkara scored 862 runs at a mammoth average of 86.20 in the 14 ODIs he played this year. He is currently the tenth highest ODI run scorer this year even though he has played fewer matches than the rest of the top ten. Sangakkara will take up the crucial number three spot in our team.

#4 Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson had an extremely fruitful year in ODIs

When Kane Williamson came to the international circuit, he was considered as a test match specialist. Fast forward a few years and Kane Williamson is the leading run scorer in the ODIs in 2015.

An epitome of grit and determination, Williamson has made sure that he becomes a versatile player, who can contribute in any circumstance. He has played 26 ODIs this year and scored 1317 runs at an average of 57.26.

Who can forget the winning shot he played against the Aussies in the league game of the World Cup this year? His calmness, skill and determination visible in that shot are the qualities that have pushed him in the team this year.

#5 AB de Villiers (Captain)

AB de Villiers averaged almost 80 in 2015

If any ODI team is being selected for this year and AB de Villiers is eligible for selection then it is a sure shot fact that de Villiers will make the cut to become a part of that team. Arguably the best batsman of the current generation, de Villiers has been a wonderful performer for the Proteas in the ODIs in 2015.

The South African captain has played 20 ODIs in 2015 and scored 1193 runs at an average of 79.53. While his finishing skills are there for all to see, he has also shown that he can play the anchor role as well in ODIs. South Africa’s ODI skipper will also lead our team.

#6 Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik made full use of the chances he got in ODIs in 2015

Though Shoaib Malik missed out in the World Cup team for Pakistan, he has been a wonderful performer in the ODIs for the Pakistan since then. In a country obsessed with flair and flamboyance, a player like Malik seems like the odd one out as well as the one they desperately need.

Number six spot in the ODIs is well suited for the finishers and a player who can chip in with a few overs has an added advantage. Malik does both these two jobs well and he proved that with his performances this year.

He played 15 ODIs for Pakistan this year and scored 607 runs at an impressive average of 67.44 and also bowled some handy overs.

#7 Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib has been the best all-rounder in ODIs

Shakib Al Hasan has been the face of Bangladesh cricket for last few years.His all-round capabilities have rescued his team on numerous occasions and his contributions towards the team’s cause continued in 2015 as well.

Shakib played 16 ODIs in 2015 and scored 421 runs at an average of 42.10. He also picked up 24 wickets at an average of 27.66. His brilliant performances with both bat and ball played a cruical part in taking Bangladesh to the quarter-finals of this year’s World Cup and even after the World Cup he maintained his high standards.

#8 Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc was arguably the best ODI bowler in 2015

Mitchell Starc was the toast of the town during this year’s World Cup. His swing in the starting overs was a sight to behold and his toe-crushing yorkers in the death overs were a frightening sight for the opposition batsmen.

Starc is arguably the best limited-overs bowler in the world presently. In 18 ODIs that he played this year, he picked up 41 wickets at an average of 16.26, which makes him the highest wicket taker in ODIs this year.

Starc will be the leader of our bowling attack with his lethal pace, dangerous swing and accurate yorkers.

#9 Trent Boult

Trent Boult made the ball sing in 2015

The swing king from New Zealand had a wonderful year in the ODIs. In the World Cup, he made full use of the home conditions and played a crucial part along with Tim Southee in taking his team to their maiden ODI World Cup final.

The prospect of him pairing up with Mitchell Starc is in itself a mouth watering one for the fans. Boult played 17 ODIs in 2015 and picked up 36 wickets at an average of 19.77. His impressive statistics made him a safe bet to pair up with Starc as the new ball bowlers.

#10 Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir was a great asset for South Africa in ODIs

Imran Tahir was arguably the best spin bowler in the limited overs format in 2015. His leg breaks, flippers and googlies were difficult to manage and his ability to take wickets in the middle overs were a big boost for the South African side.

Tahir played 22 ODIs in 2015 and picked up 37 wickets at an average of 25.18. He was a vital cog in the Proteas side during the World Cup and when the Proteas toured India later in the year, he was a handful on the spin-friendly pitches.

#11 Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur Rahman was arguably the debutant of the year in ODIs

2015 was a great year for the left arm seam bowlers. Already two left-arm seamers are a part of our side and the competition for the third seamer’s slot was amongst two lefties (Wahab Riaz, Mustafizur Rahman) and a right arm bowler (Morne Morkel). Mustafizur’s exceptional average, though in lesser number of matches, pipped him ahead of Riaz and Morkel.

Mustafizur Rahman will be a strong candidate for the debutant of the year. He missed out on the flight to Australia for the World Cup but from there onwards he was an absolute treat to watch. Although he played just 9 ODIs in 2015, he picked up 26 wickets at an exceptional average of 12.34. He is a surprize but well deserved inclusion in our team.