The ODI XI of the decade

Jasprit Bumrah (58 innings, 103 wickets, Econ: 4.49)

Jasprit Bumrah celebrates a wicket against Sri Lanka

Behind the unorthodox action and the massive grin on his face lies one of the most devastating weapons any captain could wish to have in their side. Probably the bowler who has most imprinted himself on cricket watchers in this past decade, he made his ODI debut in 2016 and since then has become India’s first-choice opening bowler in the format.

Currently ranked number 1 in the world by the ICC, Jasprit Bumrah is the owner of several variations in length and pace, the most famous of which is his almost unplayable yorker that has beaten many a capable batsman during his ODI career of 58 matches. He has also recently honed his ability to swing the white ball, which was on display at this year’s World Cup where he ended 5th on the wicket-takers list(18 wickets in 9 games).

As the youngest member of this team, he still has plenty of cricket left in him, and he is already at the forefront of a pace revolution that has made India almost invincible in the format.

Imran Tahir (104 innings, 173 wickets, Econ: 4.65)

Leg spin bowling is a dying art, many would say, but it is an art nevertheless. And in a format which seems hell-bent on punishing all types of spin bowling with a vengeance, few still maintain the skill and heart required to bowl it.

One notable exception to the above, however, is Pakistan-born South African Imran Tahir. After making his debut in the 2011 World Cup (where he was his team’s second-highest wicket-taker), he has continued to be a shining light for legspinners in the 50-over format.

His list of variations seems to be even longer than his celebratory run each time he picks a wicket, and he has become one of the finest exponents of the googly, the legspinner’s prime weapon. In the 8 years since his debut, he has had to deal with periods out of the team, and lack of patience and understanding for his craft in a country that seems to thrive on pace.

However, he continued to serve his team faithfully throughout the decade, with 173 ODI wickets in 104 bowling innings at just 24.83 runs apiece. Most recently he was in the news for dismissing England opener Jonny Bairstow with the second ball of the 2019 World Cup.

After South Africa’s last group stage game of that tournament, against Australia, he announced his international retirement at the age of 40.