ODI XI of 2018

Middle Order - Virat Kohli (c), Ross Taylor and Shimron Hetmeyer

No batsman has scored more runs than Kohli in ODIs in 2018

Virat Kohli is on a record-breaking spree and is setting a new benchmark for batting every passing year. Crossing 1000 runs in just 11 innings this year, Kohli has an aggregate of 1202 runs from 14 innings, at a strike rate of 102.55 and an incredible average of 133.55. With 6 hundreds and 3 fifties, Kohli is the highest run-getter this year. He is also the captain of the team. Kane Williamson, Joe Root, and Babar Azam are also strong contenders for the number three spot, but Kohli beats all of them by miles.

Ross Taylor seemed to have turned the clock back and was at his sublime best this year. In just 10 innings, Taylor piled up 639 runs at a staggering average of 91.28, which is second best of the year, and a strike rate of 88.87. With 2 hundreds and 4 fifties, Taylor fits in at 4, providing stability to the middle order. Other contenders for the slot include Eoin Morgan, Brendan Taylor, and Mushfiqur Rahim.

Shimron Hetmyer is a typical Caribbean batsman, with a fearless approach and effortless hitting abilities. He was a thorn in the flesh for India in the recently concluded series and is expected to play a key role for West Indies in the World Cup. Hetmyer has 707 runs to his name from 15 innings at an average of 47.13 and a strike rate of 111.51.

His six hitting abilities in the middle overs and his counter-attacking instincts in case of early wickets makes him the perfect candidate for number 5, ahead of the likes of Rahmat Shah, Sikander Raza, and Faf du Plessis.