Current best World ODI XI

ODI Cricket is arguably the most invigorating format of the game. It might not be as quick and entertaining as T20s are but it is certainly a better format to judge a team and its players' performances. With the ICC Cricket World Cup being held in the 50-over format, all the cricketing nations treat their ODI games with utmost seriousness.

The presence of superstars such as Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Rohit Sharma, Trent Boult and Rashid Khan has ensured that all fans across the world are always on their toes to watch ODI matches. Therefore, let us have a look at the current best XI who would make it to the present World ODI team.

#1 Rohit Sharma (c)

India have a sublime opener in Rohit Sharma

India's Rohit Sharma is no less than a superstar with the bat, and even the smallest of mistakes from a bowler could smell disaster as Rohit has never shied away from putting away bad deliveries. He is presently the world's second best ODI batsman as per ICC Rankings.

Rohit has been phenomenal for his country while opening the innings, often crossing the three-figure mark, scoring big hundreds more often than not. While other top batsmen across the world may go on to score a total of 100-120 when scoring a century, he has a knack of going well above 150 at times.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan is a reliable batsman in multi-nation tournaments

India's other opening batsman, Shikhar Dhawan has been a top class choice since the 2013 Champions Trophy. He has been such a revelation for India that never has he been replaced in an ODI series since 2013 due to lack in form.

While Dhawan may have his drawbacks in the longest and shortest formats of the game, nobody can question his selection in the ODI team. He has been especially exceptional in ICC tournaments. His performances in the 2013 Champions Trophy, 2015 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy certainly support his inclusion in the World XI.

#3 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has set an incredibly high standard for batting

Virat Kohli, the world's best batsman, has set a high benchmark for batting. With 38 centuries and an average of over 59 in One Day Internationals, Kohli is the undisputed king of the 50-over format.

Kohli is a must for any side, not only because of his batting prowess, but also for the energy and positivity he brings to any side he plays for. The right-hander can be said to be the only possible heir to the legacy that the legendary Sachin Tendulkar had started with the bat.

#4 Joe Root

Joe Root is the backbone of England's batting lineup and is their best bet going forward towards the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Root is undoubtedly one of the most consistent batsmen to have ever played for England.

He has the knack of scoring significant runs in almost every other inning he plays. However, Root lacks the ability to convert those 60s and 70s into 100s. But his staggering average of 51.5 makes him a no-brainer for this World XI side.

#5 Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor is one of the most underrated batsmen in the world

What is commendable about Ross Taylor is the fact that he has maintained an ODI average of 47.04. For a batsman who has batted all his life at number 4 and 5, his statistics are superb. Very few batsman who bat at those positions across the world have such a high average.

Taylor slammed a career best 181* this year itself against England and did exceedingly well in New Zealand's tour to UAE against Pakistan, going past 80 runs in each of the matches. Taylor's experience is certain to benefit the World XI side apart from his excellent skills with the bat.

#6 Jos Buttler (wk)

Jos Buttler is the most explosive batsman in current ODI circuit

Jos Buttler, unequivocally the world's best finisher at the moment, has achieved great heights in limited overs cricket in the recent past. Probably the only player in international cricket who can be called a complete finisher, Buttler can attack from ball one by finding the gaps between fielders and playing all kinds of new unorthodox shots.

Since the time MS Dhoni's performance and abilities as a finisher have declined, Buttler has been the rightful successor to the former's legacy and place in the World XI. The England wicket-keeper batsman must not be underestimated and put aside just as a finisher as he has proven his worth as a batsman by doing well even while opening the innings in T20s for Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. With the kind of skill set he brings in to a side, the World XI would be extremely keen to rope him in.

#7 Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan is Bangladesh's greatest cricketer thus far

The veteran all-rounder has been a revolutionary player for his nation. Shakib Al Hasan has taken his team to new heights and has kick started a new era of Bangladesh cricket since the time he established himself as an all-rounder.

Shakib has inspired a huge lot of Bangladeshi youth to take up cricket, something that was not prevalent as per their earlier state of cricket affairs. He has always been and continues to be a top notch batsman who can go for the big shots pretty often.

Shakib is also known for his tight bowling as he maintains very low economy rates. His first class fielding thoroughly compliments his all-round abilities and that makes him a complete package capable of playing for the World XI.

#8 Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan has already reigned at the top of the ICC Rankings in both ODIs and T20s for a considerable period of time. Often termed as a magician with the ball, he is currently the best spinner in the world. Owing to some magical performances with the ball and/or the bat, the all-rounder has been the talk of every cricketing town.

With an undecipherable stock delivery of leg break, along with all the variations such as the wrong un, the flipper and the arm ball at his disposal, he is a nightmare for batsmen by operating at a fast pace. Rashid is also a handy batting option for number 8 as he can also smash the ball many a mile.

#9 Kagiso Rabada

Rabada is the definite heir of the fiery fast bowling legacy of Dale Steyn

Debuting as someone who could bowl tremendously fast with a good bounce, Kagiso Rabada has come a long way as he has been developed and trained really well. Having the good fortune of playing with the likes of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel, Rabada has made a name for himself as one of the most intimidating bowlers.

If he goes on playing with the same intensity, he will go down as an all-time great. He has everything that takes as a bowler to go down in history as one of the legends and hence is a must have for the World XI. Rabada will share the new ball with Trent Boult and operate alongside Jasprit Bumrah at the death overs.

#10 Trent Boult

Boult is New Zealand's number one swing bowler and is a force to reckon with

No matter how rarely or frequently the Kiwis play international cricket, this man is always on the move to pick up wickets. Trent Boult was the joint highest wicket-taker in the 2015 ICC World Cup along with Mitchell Starc and has been the leader of New Zealand's pace attack.

With the herculean ability of picking wickets with the new ball and also being vastly effective in the later stages, Boult is a modern day bowling great. He is also a phenomenal fielder in addition to being an outstanding bowler.

#11 Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah is the India's trump card with the ball

Jasprit Bumrah has come a long way from his initial days of being a T20 specialist. He is now renowed for bowling a slew of yorkers in the end overs. Bumrah will be extremely effective for the World XI side as a new ball bowler as well as a death bowler par excellence.

Although he is not expected to bowl with the new ball for this side in the presence of Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada, Bumran can bowl a lot more overs in the middle stages and at the death overs for this lineup. The combination of Bumrah and Rabada at the death is a massive threat to the batsmen as both exhibit the skills to deliver yorkers and slower balls at will.

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