5 cricketers who surprised us in 2017

The oft repeated adage of cricket being a 'predictably unpredictable' sport was further vindicated in 2017. Quite a few batsmen and bowlers, who were not expected to excel, made a mockery of predictions by stealing the limelight. In all three formats of the game, let us take a close look at five such cricketers whose game-changing exploits surprised one and all during this calendar year.

With just a few more matches left for the year to culminate, here are some players who put on unexpectedly brilliant performances in the various formats. These unbeknownst cricketers are arranged in the magnitude of the shock factor as well as momentousness of their exploits in the calendar year thus far. While the unforeseen efforts of experienced cricketers are not taken into consideration for this particular segment, only those with a handful of appearances are examined in order to fulfill the titular criteria.

(*Note: All Statistics are accurate as of 21st December, 2017)

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#5 Keshav Maharaj (Tests)

Keshav Maharaj has sealed the slot of lead spinner in South Africa's lineup

South Africa's long-standing search for a quality Test-class spinner seems to have finally met fruition. Although his career is still in its nascent stages, early indications are that Keshav Maharaj is here to stay. The off-spinner made his debut in the traditional format during last year's Perth Test.

Contrary to the cynicism surrounding any spinner donning the whites for the Proteas, Maharaj has just gone from strength to strength to become a dynamic component of South Africa's bowling attack.

From ten Tests in 2017, Maharaj notched consistent performances across a wide variety of conditions. On the predominantly seam-friendly surfaces in New Zealand, he bucked the trend by topping the bowling charts with as many as 15 scalps from the three matches. His career best haul of 6/40 propelled the visitors to a series-sealing victory in Wellington. With India and Australia visiting his shores for high-profile assignments, Maharaj will get plenty of opportunities next year to further his progress in Tests.

Statistics for 2017

43 wickets from 10 Tests at an average of 24.76 and strike-rate of 49.3 with two five-wicket hauls

#4 Yuzvendra Chahal (ODIs & T20Is)

Yuzvendra Chahal has added variety to India's spin attack in the limited-overs formats

When the year began, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were India's primary spin duo across all three formats. A relentless Test season saw both spinners rested for T20I series against England. During the deciding clash, Yuzvendra Chahal emerged from nowhere and became the first Indian bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul in T20Is. His 6/25 spun the visitors into submission on a viciously turning track at Bengaluru.

Following the underwhelming showing of Ashwin and Jadeja in the 2017 Champions Trophy, the Indian selectors finally woke up to the importance of utilising wrist-spin in the limited-overs formats.

While the promising Kuldeep Yadav was fast-tracked into the Indian squad on the basis of his performances at the U-19 level, Chahal's rise has not been as meteoric as his newfound spin partner. Apart from shining consistently in ODIs, the leg-spinner is also on the verge of ending 2017 as the year's top wicket-taker in T20Is.

Statistics for 2017

21 wickets from 14 ODIs at an average of 28.57 and economy-rate of 4.95

19 wickets from 10 T20Is at an average of 14.36 and economy-rate of 7.28 with one five-wicket haul

#3 Shai Hope (Tests)

Shai Hope scored twin tons at Headingley to spearhead West Indies' euphoric triumph

Even as eminently respected cricketing minds like Ian Bishop continued to speak highly of him, Shai Hope's initial exploits on the field did not match up to the hype spawned off the field. In fact, from his first seven Tests, the right-hander could only muster a measly average of 17.15 with a highest score of 41.

Then, the tide began to turn and how. 2017 has been a watershed moment in Hope's career. The talented Bajan played ten Tests in this calendar year and scored 773 runs at an impressive average of a shade over 45.

Extra Cover: Under the SKanner - Shai Hope

More pertinently, Hope has shown glimpses of an admirable penchant for weathering testing spells and shaping match-defining knocks. During the Headingley Test in August, he not only became the first batsman in the history of the game to score twin centuries in the fabled venue but also lifted West Indies to their most memorable triumph in recent times.

Statistics for 2017

773 runs from 10 Tests at an average of 45.47 with two centuries and three fifties

#2 Fakhar Zaman (ODIs)

Fakhar Zaman played an unbelievable knock to help Pakistan ambush India at The Oval

Upon entering the 2017 Champions Trophy as the lowest ranked team, a resurgent Pakistan team left everyone in utter disbelief by storming to the title. In the aftermath of a chastening defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India during their campaign opener, Sarfraz Ahmed's troops embarked on a trail of astonishing renaissance. Making his debut in the must-win clash against South Africa, Fakhar Zaman lit the flame that sparked his team's turnaround.

Replacing Ahmed Shehzad at the top of the order, Zaman immediately made a mark by instilling much needed intent to Pakistan's batting lineup. The opener followed a 31 on debut with half-centuries against Sri Lanka and England. But he had reserved his best for the final.

After being reprieved by Jasprit Bumrah's ill-fated no-ball, Zaman barnstormed his way to a career-defining century against India in the summit clash. The left-hander's belligerent 114 set the foundation for Pakistan's emphatic triumph in the final. Having produced an innings of his life-time, the opener could be confronted with burgeoning expectations in the coming years.

Statistics for 2017

400 runs from 9 ODIs at an average of 44.44 and strike-rate of 100.5 with one century and two fifties

#1 Steve O'Keefe (Tests)

Steve O'Keefe's jaw-dropping spells propelled Australia to an unprecedented victory over India in Pune

Some may allude to West Indies overpowering England at Headingley or Pakistan eviscerating highly-rated teams en route to their Champions Trophy triumph as the upsets of the year. However, in terms of sheer magnitude of the result, none of them come close to Australia's humbling of the top-ranked India on a rank turner in Pune.

When they were obliterated by a whopping 333 runs, Virat Kohli's team had been on a 19-match unbeaten streak. In fact, the wreckage in Pune remains India's only Test defeat from August 2015 till present date. Australia's unprecedented victory was all the more sweeter as the protagonist rose from nowhere. With identical hauls of 6/35 in each innings, Steve O'Keefe registered the best ever figures by any visiting spinner on Indian soil.

Extra Cover: Tracking the journey of Steve O'Keefe

Into the fifth Test of his stop-gap career, O'Keefe produced one of the most astonishing bowling performances in modern history. Although he subsequently managed to smear the then recently accrued momentum under the influence of alcohol, the left-arm spinner had played an instrumental role in breaking Australia's Test drought in Asia. One wonders if 2017 will eventually mark the last ever appearance in the 33-year old's international sojourn.

Statistics for 2017

25 wickets from 6 Tests at an average of 26.92 and strike-rate of 62.7 with two five-wicket hauls