5 players who can claim the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year award in 2018

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli

The year 2018 has witnessed some incredible individual performances in the ODI format which have played a major role in various teams' successes.

It has been a year where every team has been chopping and changing players to figure out their best possible combination before the World cup next year in England. But a few players have remained consistent with their performances while the others have tried to cement their places.

These crucial players form an indispensable part of their squad, and as such deserve to be commemorated for their efforts.

Every year the ICC acknowledges such players and their performances in every format. The ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year award is meant to reward one such player who has outshone all the others and is the standout performer in this format.

Here's a look at five players are in contention to clinch the 'ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year' award for 2018:


#5. Joe Root

Joe Root
Joe Root

England's most successful batsman in the last decade, Joe Root, has evolved as a batsman to be counted as one among the Fab Five of the current lot.

A technically sound batsman, Root has often been a model of consistency at the highest level of the game. Though he has often been criticized for not converting his 50s into big scores, the fact remains that he does get to 50 with incredible regularity.

This year, the 27-year-old has accumulated runs at will. With an average nearing 60, England's Test skipper has scored 946 runs to be ranked fourth in the list for the highest run scorers in ODIs in 2018.

He has stepped up to the task and become England's mainstay in the batting order. He looked in fine touch in the ODI series vs India, scoring consecutive hundreds to help his side register a series win over the visitors.

Root's form is a major boost for England as they set their eyes on a maiden World Cup triumph next year.

#4. Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan

Bowlers often tend to get ignored for their contribution to the success of their team. However, they are the real match winners when it comes to bagging multi-nation tournaments and trophies for their sides.

That said, it is a different case for the young leg-spin sensation Rashid Khan. Afghanistan's recent rise to glory is widely attributed to how the leg-spinner has carried his team to become a major force to reckon with in this format of the game.

Rashid has been Afghanistan's flag-bearer and continues to notch up strong performances at the highest level of cricket. His match-winning spells in the ICC Qualifiers helped Afghanistan to qualify for the World Cup in England.

With most 48 wickets in ODIs in 2018 and a rank of No. 2 in the ICC ODI rankings for bowlers, Rashid has staked a claim for the title of the best ODI cricketer in the world.

#3. Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep registered his best figures of 6/25 vs England
Kuldeep registered his best figures of 6/25 vs England

India's latest spin sensation Kuldeep Yadav has led his team's bowling duties very well in partnership with his counterpart Yuzvendra Chahal.

After India's awful game against Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, the management decided to rope in wrist spinners who can account for wickets in the middle overs. And both the leg spinners have been deadly effective in stifling opposition batsmen with their variations on the ball.

Kuldeep, who is a rare commodity in world cricket, is particularly difficult to play against given his accuracy and the inability of the batters to read him from his hand. With 45 wickets in 2018, Kuldeep is a strong contender to be named as the ICC ODI cricketer of the year.

Kuldeep's performances against South Africa and England have suddenly made him a hot property in world cricket. His spell of 6 for 25 in his first game against England at Nottingham were the best figures registered by any left-arm unorthodox bowler in the ODI format.

#2. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma has been consistent in ODI cricket
Rohit Sharma has been consistent in ODI cricket

One of the world's most destructive batsmen in the ODI format, Rohit Sharma has evolved as a senior pro to shoulder more responsibility at the highest level.

Ever since he was promoted as an opener in the 2013 Champions Trophy, Rohit's career has taken a U-turn. His exploits as an opener are second to none since 2013.

The Hit-man, as he is often called, has piled up runs for fun in past few years. He also boasts of being the only player to score three double centuries in ODI cricket.

Rohit's ability to score daddy hundreds has already seen him climb up the list of the greatest ODI batsmen of all time. Ranked No. 2 in the ODI rankings, Rohit has scored 1030 runs at a staggering average of 73 in 2018.

#1. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli

After being named as the ICC ODI Cricketer of the year in 2017, Virat Kohli is close to ending another year as the best player in this format.

Kohli's exploits in ODIs often leave us astounded at his impeccable consistency and hunger to continue performing for his team. In 2018, Kohli has registered himself in the history books with practically every innings that he has played for India.

With a lowest score of 16 this year, Kohli has plundered 1202 runs in 2018 at a Bradman-esque average of 133. Having become the fastest to 10,000 runs in the ODI format, Kohli has left some of the greatest batsmen of previous eras trailing in his wake.

His ability to adapt his game as per the situation combined with his will to win has seen him go a country mile ahead of some of his contemporaries. After such a great run in 2018, it would be a tough task for the others in contention to get past Kohli's brilliance and account for this prestigious award.

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Edited by Musab Abid