Best XI of the year 2018 across all the formats

In the year 2018, 500+ international matches were played. Out of them, India has played the most number of matches. Some of the matches had expected results while some ended with an upset. For example, Zimbabwe defeated Bangladesh in tests at Sylhet between 3 to 6 November and Scotland defeated England in an ODI match on 10 June at Edinburgh.

Let us have a look at the best XI of the year 2018 across all the formats.

#1 Rohit Sharma (India)

Rohit Sharma has been impressive in the shorter formats of the game in 2018

Rohit Sharma had a great year in cricket. He played 3 Tests, 19 One Day Internationals and 19 T20I matches. Rohit was inconsistent in the Tests. But, he was impressive in the shorter formats of the game. He scored 1736 runs at an average of 48.22 across all the formats, which include 7 centuries (5 in ODIs and 2 in T20Is). He became the second highest scorer in ODIs in 2018. Also, he was the second Indian in 2018 to score two 150s in ODIs. He became the first batsman to score 4 T20I centuries and also the first Indian to score 2 T20I centuries in a year. He led his team to victories in Nidahas Trophy and Asia Cup 2018. He is the second highest scorer in T20Is overall with 2237 runs.

#2 Jonny Bairstow (England)

Bairstow is the first batsman two score ODI centuries in less than 60 balls this year

Jonny Bairstow is an integral part of England in all formats. He played 22 ODIs, 11 Tests and 4 T20Is. He scored 1701 runs at an average of 37.80, which include 6 centuries (4 in ODIs and 2 in Tests). He is the first batsman to score two ODI centuries in less than 60 balls in this year. He became the third highest scorer in ODIs in 2018, where he scored 1025 runs at an average of 46.59. He will form a destructive opening pair with Rohit Sharma.

#3 Virat Kohli (India) (C)

England v India - 2nd ODI: Royal London One-Day Series

Virat Kohli has led his side in 14 ODIs, 12 Tests and 10 T20Is in 2018. Out of which he won 9 ODIs, 6 T20Is and 5 Tests. His winning percentage is 55.55 till now. He was the first Asian captain to win a Test match in South Africa, England and Australia. He scored 2653 runs, which arise to be the most runs scored by a batsman in 2018. He scored 11 centuries (6 in ODI and 5 in Tests). Also, he was the first Indian in 2018 to score two 150s in ODIs. He was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.

#4 Joe Root (England)

England's Test captain Joe Root had a great year. He scored 1938 runs at an average of 46.14. It includes five centuries ( 3 in ODI and 2 in Tests). He is the second highest run-scorer in the year 2018. Also, he is the second highest run scorer in Tests. He scored 948 runs in Tests at an average of 41.21. He is the first English captain to whitewash the Lankans in Sri Lanka in Tests. Also, he is the first English captain to win a Test series in Sri Lanka in 17 years.

#5 Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

Kane Williamson is one of the best captains New Zealand ever produced. He has captained his side in 13 ODIs, 6 Tests and 13 T20Is. He scored 1320 runs at an average of 44, which include 4 centuries (2 in Tests and 2 in ODIs). He is the first Kiwi captain to win an away Test series against Pakistan after 49 years. He is the first Kiwi batsman to have 900+ points in Test batsman rankings.

#6 Jos Buttler (England) (WK)

Jos Buttler is one of the most premier wicketkeeper-batsman of the current generation. He is the vice-captain of England in Tests. He played 23 ODI, 10 Test and 9 T20I matches in 2018. He scored 1677 runs at an average of 43, which include 3 centuries ( 2 in ODIs and 1 in Test). He has 49 dismissals ( 39 catches and 10 stumpings) as a wicket-keeper. For his exceptional performance, he will be the wicket-keeper in this XI.

#7 Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

Shakib is the best all-rounder the generation ever witnessed. He is the most dedicated player for his nation. He has played 15 ODIs, 11 T20Is and 4 Tests. He scored 958 runs at an average of 31.53 with 9 fifties. He picked up 53 wickets at an average of 21.84 and strike rate 31.6. He is the first player to score 40+ runs and pick a fifer in a T20I match. He picked up two fifers ( 1 in Test and 1 in T20I) in 2018. These numbers prove worthy for Shakib to be in this XI.

#8 Kuldeep Yadav (India)

Kuldeep picked up 76 wickets at an average of 17.09

Kuldeep Yadav is an emerging chinaman bowler from India. He has played 3 Tests, 19 ODIs and 9 T20Is in 2018. He picked up 76 wickets at an average of 17.09 and strike rate 22.2. He is the first bowler to pick a fifer in each format in the year 2018. He has recorded the best bowling figures at Trent Bridge. His bowling figures were 6/25 against England on 12 July 2018. Currently, he is ranked No.3 bowler in ODI and T20I format.

#9 Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

Kagiso Rabada is one of the most dreaded pacers of the current generation. He has played 9 Tests, 14 ODIs and 2 T20Is in 2018. He picked up 71 wickets at an average of 22.32 and strike-rate 36.2. He picked up a ten-wicket haul and two fifers in Tests. He replaced James Anderson as no. 1 Test bowler. Currently, he is the No. 4 bowler in ODIs.

#10 Trent Boult (New Zealand)

Trent Boult is the most dependable bowler for New Zealand in all formats. He has played 6 Tests, 12 ODIs and 8 T20Is in 2018. He picked up 57 wickets at an average of 28 and strike rate 39.4. He picked up two fifers ( 1 in Test and 1 in ODI). He picked a hat-trick against Pakistan 7 November 2018 at Abu Dhabi. Currently, he is ranked No. 8 in ODI.

#11 Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Jasprit Bumrah is the most dependable bowler for India in all formats. He has played 8 Tests, 13 ODIs and 8 T20Is in 2018. He has picked up 69 wickets at an average of 21.81 and strike-rate 41.4. He has picked up two 5 Test fifers in just 4 Tests since his debut in this format. Currently, he is No. 1 bowler in ODI.

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Edited by Kingshuk Kusari