Sportskeeda's ODI XI of 2017

With the completion of the 3-match series between New Zealand and West Indies, the curtains are drawn on the 50-over format for 2017. In order of matches won, teams such as India (21), England (15), South Africa (13) and Pakistan (12) all enjoyed productive years. Therefore, it does not come across as any surprise that the four aforementioned sides dominate our ODI team of the year.

We, at Sportskeeda, have selected a star-studded ODI lineup comprising some of the most prominent cricketers who sparkled in 2017. While overall consistency across the year remains the focal point, additional emphasis has been placed on performances in the Champions Trophy. In cases of close selection calls, players capable of slotting into niche roles have gained preference.

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#5 Openers

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are the best opening duo in the present-day 50-over format

One of only three batsmen to breach the 1000-run mark in 2017, Rohit Sharma showcased his effortless elegance at the top of the order. From 21 matches, he amassed 1293 runs at an astonishing average of 71.83 and strike-rate of 99.46.

Among Rohit's six centuries was a jaw-dropping double ton against Sri Lanka at Mohali. The right-hander's tally of 46 sixes was comfortably the most by any batsman. Towards the end of the calendar year, he also made his captaincy debut for India.

Even though the likes of Quinton de Kock, Upul Tharanga and David Warner also mounted strong cases for the second opener slot, Shikhar Dhawan's consistent showing in the Champions Trophy as well as a powerful scoring-rate throughout the year have enabled him to leapfrog his competitors.

Dhawan played 22 ODIs and scored 960 runs at an average of 48 and strike-rate of 101.37 with three centuries and six fifties. Having batted alongside Rohit for the vast majority of his career, the southpaw can form the other half of a reliable opening combination across different conditions.

#4 Middle-order

Virat Kohli was in imperious form during the calendar year

Since succeeding MS Dhoni as captain of India's ODI team at the start of the year, Virat Kohli fittingly raised the bar. Across different surfaces and against myriad bowling attacks, the star batsman was in unstoppable form right throughout the year. With 1460 runs from 26 matches at an astronomical average of 76.84 and strike-rate of 99.11, he reeled off six centuries and ended 2017 as the leading run-scorer in the 50-over format.

Due to the particular requirements of the crucial number four slot, a remorseless accumulator of runs perfectly fits the bill. While his strike-rate of 79.27 may appear to be relatively sedate, Pakistan's Babar Azam had to play most of his matches on the sluggish tracks of United Arab Emirates. He scored 872 runs from 18 matches at a tremendous average of 67.07 with four tons.

If one were to make an all-time ODI XI, AB de Villiers will be one of the first picks among active players. 2017 was an interesting year for the dynamic South African batsmen. While he opted to skip Tests citing workload issues, his quest for tournament success continued to elude him as the Proteas failed to make the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy. From 19 matches in the calendar year, he smashed 773 runs at an average of 59.46 and strike-rate of 116.94 including a career best score of 176 against Bangladesh at Paarl.

#3 All-rounder and Wicket-keeper

Ben Stokes' presence lends enormous balance to the playing eleven

When he eventually looks back at 2017, the infamous street brawl in Bristol will inevitably pop into Ben Stokes' mind. While the scuffle prevented him from participating in the Ashes showdown in Australia towards the end of the calendar year, the all-rounder went from strength to strength prior to the incident.

From 15 ODIs, Stokes smashed 616 runs at a rapid strike-rate of 106.94 with two sublime centuries. As evidenced by 14 scalps at an economy-rate of 6.48, his exploits with the ball were slightly underwhelming. However, his consistently high-octane performances in the batting department has seen the 26-year old pip the likes of Hardik Pandya and Jason Holder for the all-rounder's slot.

On its face value, MS Dhoni's numbers in 2017 make for commendable reading. The veteran scored 788 runs from 29 matches at an average of 60.61 and strike-rate of 84.73 including a century after more than three years. But his waning reflexes often made him a sluggish starter and hence attracted intense scrutiny surrounding his role in the Indian team.

While he may not have lived up to his high standards in the calendar year, the seasoned campaigner continues to be one of the stand-out wicket-keeper batsmen in the modern game. Aside from putting in steady contributions with the bat, his undiminished skills behind the stumps helped him snare 26 catches and effect 13 stumpings.

#2 Bowlers

Hasan Ali is currently the top ranked bowler in the ODI rankings

Fitting into the ethos of modern-day limited-overs cricket, Liam Plunkett's extra pace should augur well for any ODI outfit. The 32-year old's ability to hit the deck hard served profitably for England in 2017. During the calendar year, he picked 36 wickets from 18 matches at an average of 22.47 and economy-rate of 5.62. During the Bristol ODI against West Indies, the right-arm pacer also registered his career-best figures of 5/52.

With his bustling energy and profound tactical nous, Hasan Ali was the revelation of the year. In an era dominated by aggressive batsmen, he took us back to the good old days through his impetus-driven seam bowling. His penchant for delivering crucial breakthroughs in the middle-overs was the cornerstone of Pakistan's euphoric surge to the Champions Trophy title. 18 matches in 2017 fetched him as many as 45 scalps at an average of 17.04 and economy-rate of 5.03 including three five-wicket hauls.

Rashid Khan's numbers in 2017 make for astonishing reading. From 16 ODIs in the year, he devoured 43 wickets at a jaw-dropping average of 10.44 and scarcely believable strike-rate of 16.4. An economy-rate of 3.80 indicates that he was a extremely difficult to score of. Even though his opponents for the year were the likes of Zimbabwe, Ireland and West Indies, the unflappable consistency of Afghanistan's promising leg-spinner deserves wholehearted applause.

#1 12th Man and Full Lineup

Imran Tahir can replace one of the three specialist fast bowlers on a turning track

As with every lineup, it becomes imperative to name a 12th man in order to suit the team's requirements on a wide variety of conditions. Considering the fact that the playing eleven contains four seam options, a spinner can be kept on stand-by if turning pitches enter into the equation.

In such a scenario, Imran Tahir is the ideal candidate to replace one of the three specialist fast bowlers on spin-friendly surfaces. The South African stalwart picked up 27 wickets from 17 ODIs at an impressive average of 24.88 and admirable economy-rate of 4.62. His experience and Rashid's exuberance can result in a deadly leg-spin combination capable of wrecking lineups on sluggish tracks.

With as many as five representatives in the playing eleven, India dominate the proceedings for the calendar year. Including the 12th man quota, Pakistan, England and South Africa all have two representatives each in the lineup. It is a testament to Pakistan's remarkable depth in their player-pool that only two members of the Champions Trophy winning squad have made it to our all-star ODI XI for 2017.

Sportskeeda's ODI XI of 2017

Rohit Sharma (India), Shikhar Dhawan (India), Virat Kohli (captain) (India), Babar Azam (Pakistan), AB de Villiers (South Africa), Ben Stokes (England), MS Dhoni (wicket-keeper) (India), Liam Plunkett (England), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Hasan Ali (Pakistan) and Jasprit Bumrah (India)

12th Man: Imran Tahir (South Africa)