Greatest ODI XI featuring only captains

They played the first ODI on January 5, 1971. Since then, the game has grown rapidly in terms of technique, speed, regulation, and money. Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and others have changed the way it is played. It has become more fierce, competitive, and fast.

In the recent years, several cricketers have published a list of their All-time ODI XI. Warne, Chappell, Dravid, Imran, and others have also come out with their list and garnered full attention and praise in the cricket fraternity.

I have been an avid cricket lover for the past 25 years. Having watched plenty of cricket, I have prepared the greatest ODI XI featuring only captains.

Openers

#1. Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly of India

Sourav Ganguly has been one of the top openers of India in ODI cricket. He, along with Sachin Tendulkar, formed one of the most prolific and destructive opening pairs in the history of cricket. Ganguly scored 11,363 runs at an average of 41.02 with the highest score of 183.

He was elegant on the off-side which is why Rahul Dravid called him ‘God of the Off Side.’ He captained India in 147 matches and won 76 with a win percentage of 51.7%.

#2. Sachin Tendulkar

India v South Africa: Group B - 2011 ICC World Cup

There is nothing that Sachin Tendulkar has not achieved in the world of cricket. He had the perfect technique and temperament to dominate the opposition bowlers. He is called the 'God of Cricket.' Tendulkar played 463 matches and scored 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83 with the highest score of 200 not out.

He captained India in 72 matches, out of which he won 23 with a win percentage of 31.94%.

Middle Order

#3. Ricky Ponting

First Test - Australia v Pakistan: Day 3

Ricky Ponting was one of the top batsmen of his era alongside Lara and Sachin. He could play his shots anywhere but was known for the cover-drive and the pull shot. Ponting played 375 matches and scored 13,704 runs at an average of 42.03 with the highest score of 164.

He was one of the best captains in the history of cricket. Under his leadership, Australia won 165 out of 230 matches, with a win percentage of 71.74% which is awesome.

#4. Brian Lara

Lara's Double Century

Brian Lara was an accumulator of runs with his lightning footwork and elegant stroke play. For the most part of his career, he carried the burden of batting alone. Lara played 299 matches and scored 10,405 runs at an average of 40.48.

As a captain, he won 59 out of 125 matches for his team, which meant a win percentage of 47.2%.

#5. Clive Lloyd

Kerry Packer Memorial Service

Clive Lloyd resurrected the West Indies cricket and made it the most successful teams ever in the history of cricket. As a player, the left-handed batsman was clinical and played on either side of the wicket. He played 87 matches and scored 1977 runs at an average of 39.54.

His record as captain is exemplary with 64 wins in 84 matches which comes to a win percentage of 76.19%

Wicket Keeper & Captain

#6. M.S. Dhoni

England v India - 3rd ODI: Royal London One-Day Series

M.S. Dhoni is a cult figure in the world of cricket. Known as ‘Master-Finisher,’ he was the captain-cool who took Indian cricket to greater heights with his batting and leadership. Dhoni has played 320 matches and scored 10,046 runs at an average of 51.25 which is unbelievable.

He captained India in 200 matches and won 110 with a win percentage of 55%. Under his captaincy, India won the 2011 World Cup. He gave up his captaincy to Virat Kohli to groom him for future.

All Rounders

#7. Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev India v West Indies Nehru Cup Delhi 1989

Known as ‘Haryana Hurricane,’ Kapil Dev brought aggressiveness and the zeal to win in the Indian team. His performances and leadership won India, the World Cup in 1983. Dev was an all-rounder who could bowl 20 overs at a stretch and then bat for 4 hours without complaining. He played 225 matches and scored 3783 runs at an average of 23.79. As a bowler, he took 253 wickets at an average of 27.45.

Dev captained India in 74 matches, out of which India won 40 with a win percentage of 54.05%.

#8. Imran Khan

PTI Party Campaigns Days Before Pakistan Election

Imran was a charismatic all-rounder who led by example. He came out of the retirement to lead Pakistan to a World Cup victory in 1992. Khan played 175 matches and scored 3709 runs at an average of 33.41. He also took 182 wickets at an average of 26.61.

As a captain, he won 75 out of 1309 matches which translate to a win percentage of 53.96%.

Bowlers

#9. Wasim Akram

Cricket All-Stars Series - Minute Maid Park

Wasim Akram was the best left-arm fast bowler in the history of cricket. He was a master of swing and seam, with dangerous bouncers and toe-crushing yorkers. Akram played 356 matches and scored 3717 runs at an average of 16.52. He took 502 wickets at an average of 23.52 which is awesome.

As a captain, he led Pakistan in 109 matches and won 66 which meant a win percentage of 60.55%

#10. Daniel Vettori

Sagittarius v Capricorn -

Oxigen

Masters Champions League 2016

Daniel Vettori was a slow left-arm orthodox bowler who played 295 matches and took 305 wickets at an average of 31.71. He was a master of drift, flight, speed, and length which made him one of the most lethal spinners of his time.

As a captain, he led New Zealand to 41 victories in 82 matches with a win percentage of 50%.

#11. Shane Warne

The 3 Mobile Ashes Series - Fourth Test - Day One - Australia vs England - December 26, 2006

Shane Warne was known as the wizard of spin bowling. He revived the art of leg-spin and made it popular again. Warne played 194 matches and took 293 wickets at an average of 25.73. He had all the variations of leg-spin in his arsenal—slider, backspin, drifter, and others.

As a captain, he led Australia to 10 wins in 11 matches with a win percentage of 90.91%