Strongest ODI XI featuring players from the top ten of current ICC ODI Player Rankings

The latest update made to the ICC ODI Player Rankings by ICC (International Cricket Council) was on 14th December 2018. There were no drastic changes made to the rankings as most of the players retained their rankings.

Not to our surprise, Virat Kohli retained the top spot in ICC ODI Rankings for batsmen whereas Jasprit Bumrah and Rashid Khan did the same in the ICC ODI Rankings for bowlers and all-rounders respectively.

Hence, while considering the players who find a place in any of the ICC ODI Rankings (batsmen, bowlers, and all-rounders), we will try and churn out a dominant and competitive playing XI who could beat any ODI team in the world at this juncture of time.

Note: The stats are true as of 1 January 2018. Moreover, Steve Smith and David Warner are not considered for the list for obvious reasons.

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#1 Rohit Sharma (India): Current ICC ODI Ranking (Batsmen) - 2nd

Rohit Sharma, India's premier opening batsman, had a decent 2018 with majors in ODI cricket. He proved to be one of the most significant batsmen for India in the 50-over format for the year 2018. Much so, he finished as the second highest run-scorer in ODIs in the year 2018. In 2018, Hitman amassed 1030 ODI runs at an average of 73.57 and a strike-rate of 100.09.

Moreover, he also hit five centuries and three fifties. Thus, with more than a good 2018, Rohit ended his year as a highly-ranked ODI batsman. Hence, his place in the playing XI.

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#2 Shikhar Dhawan (India): Current ICC ODI Ranking (Batsmen) - 9th

Joining Sharma in the opening department would be his teammate-cum-opening partner Shikhar Dhawan. Fondly known as Gabbar, Dhawan had an exceptional year in ODI cricket. Besides, he also managed to achieve a few monumental achievements.

In the year 2018, while hitting three centuries and two fifties, Shikhar scored 897 runs for India at a decent average of 49.83 and a strike-rate of 102.28. In the process, he also finished as India's third highest-scorer in ODIs. Pending his vital contributions for India in recent times, Dhawan moved to 2019 as one of the top ten ranked ODI batsmen in the world.

#3 Virat Kohli (C) (India): Current ICC ODI Ranking (Batsmen) - 1st

No brainer! Virat Kohli+ happens to be the automatic addition to this list. And it wouldn't be wrong if we say that he will be maintaining his place in this XI for an ample amount of time from now. Kohli has been unmatchable across all the formats and looks set to become one of the greatest ever batsmen to have ever served the game.

The Indian captained caught the bus of 2019 with as many as 1202 ODI runs to his name in the year 2018. Virat notched-up these runs at an astounding average of 133.55 and a strike-rate of 102.55 - numbers that one would die to register. In addition to that, he also hit six mammoth centuries and three fifties.

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#4 Joe Root (England): Current ICC ODI Ranking (Batsmen) - 4th

Following Kohli would be England's one of the best limited-overs batsmen at the moment, Joe Root. The Englishman has done plenty for his ODI team in the recent past and will prove to be England's best bet at the 2019 World Cup at home this year.

Root finished 2018 with impressive numbers up his sleeve. He amassed 946 ODI runs at an excellent average of 59.12 and a strike-rate of 83.93. He also brought three centuries and five fifties in the process. With such numbers, Joe embarked on his journey of 2019 as England's top-ranked batsman in the current ICC ODI Rankings for batsmen.

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#5 Shai Hope (WK) (West Indies): Current ICC ODI Ranking (Batsmen) - 8th

Shai Hope, the West Indian wicket-keeper batsman, rose up in ranks in the year 2018. His best ODI performances came in a series against India where he scored 250 runs at a decent average of 62.50. Hope's 2018 went on the same lines as he found a dedicated place in the top ten of ICC ODI rankings for batsmen.

In the last twelve months, he has scored 875 runs at an average of 67.30 and a strike-rate of 96.47. Moreover, his tally of 2018 also includes two centuries and five fifties. Thus, with some consistent performances in immediate past, he happens to find a place in the list.

#6 Mitchell Santner (New Zealand): Current ICC ODI Ranking (All-rounder) - 5th

Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand bowling all-rounder, had a roller-coaster ride in the year 2018 as he had to miss a few matches due to injury. However, he came back in style while making some vital contributions for NZ both with the bat and the ball.

The left-handed all-rounder scored 230 ODI runs for NZ in 2018. He scored runs at an average of 46.00 and a strike-rate of 103.6- quite impressive numbers for a bowling all-rounder. In addition to that, he also scalped eight wickets with an economy rate of 4.58. Thus, owing to his decent performances, he moved to 2019 as the top-ranked ODI all-rounder for NZ.

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#7 Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): Current ICC ODI Ranking (All-rounder) - 1st

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan's most valuable player at the moment, made life miserable for the batsmen in the year 2018. Alongside that, he also showcased his power hitting skills as he made engaged in some quick-fire cameos with the bat for Afghanistan.

With 48 wickets in his arsenal at an outstanding average of 14.45, a low economy of 3.89, and decent strike-rate bowling of 22.2, the 20-year-old bowling all-rounder finished as the highest wicket-taker in 2018. Moreover, he also fired 187 ODI runs for Afghanistan at a strike-rate of 114.46 with a solitary fifty to his name. Rashid started his 2019 as the top-ranked all-rounder in the current ICC ODI Rankings.

#8 Kuldeep Yadav (India): Current ICC ODI Ranking (Bowler) - 3rd

The left-arm wrist spinner from India, Kuldeep Yadav, shook the cricketing world with his impressive performances in the year 2018, especially in ODIs. The Kanpur-born bowler proved to be one of the best bowlers for India in ODIs in 2018. His honeymoon period started in the ODI series against South Africa when he ran through their batsmen while making their life hell.

In 2018, he grabbed 45 wickets at an average of 17.7, an economy of 4.64, and a strike-rate of 22.9. His performances handed him a place in the top ten of ICC ODI Rankings for bowlers. And in the updated ICC ODI Player rankings, he retained his position.

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#9 Kagiso Rabada (South Africa): Current ICC ODI Ranking (Bowler) - 4th

Kagiso Rabada, the right-arm paceman, has been a vital cog for the South African team across all the formats. Despite playing only a limited number of ODIs in the recent past, Rabada has managed to retain his place in the ICC rankings owing to his consistent performance.

The South African bowler had a decent outing in the ODIs in 2018. He scalped 23 wickets at an average of 26.17, an economy of 4.85, and a strike-rate of 32.30. Rabada advanced to 2019 as the top-ranked bowler for SA in the ICC rankings.

#10 Trent Boult (New Zealand): Current ICC ODI Ranking (Bowler) - 8th

Trent Boult, the fiery left-arm bowler from New Zealand, happens to be one of best bowlers at the moment. With uncanny ability to dance the ball in the air, Boult has been a proven performer for the Blackcaps, notably in ODI cricket. His current bowling exploits have been on the same lines as well.

Having played only 12 ODIs in 2018, Trent took 22 wickets at an average of 28.90, an economy of 5.92, and a decent strike-rate of 29.2. He also finished as the highest wicket-taker for NZ in 2018. With such stately numbers, he retained his position in the top ten of ICC rankings.

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#11 Jasprit Bumrah (India): Current ICC ODI Ranking (Bowler) - 1st

Jasprit Bumrah, the most intimidating bowler at the moment, has been India's most impressive bowler in the recent past. His toe-crushing yorkers and dicey slower-ones have made the job difficult for even the best batsman in the world. The year 2018 was no different for him as embarked on 2019 with impressive numbers against his name.

He featured in 13 ODI games for India in the last 52 weeks. In the process, he grabbed 22 wickets at an astonishing average of 16.63, an efficient economy of 3.62, and a decent strike-rate of 27.50.