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2012 has been a sad year for cricket. A few players who revolutionized the sport in their own unique way have retired. At this point of time, it is quite interesting and challenging to look at the top 10 cricketers of the present. By cricketers, I mean every possible positive attribute of a good cricketer – batting, bowling, fielding, role in the team, commitment, match-winning abilities, captaincy, style and legacy.
10. Hashim Amla
This gifted batsman has a long way to go in international cricket. Apart from his graceful strokes, he is known for his dependability. Apparently, his role in his team is to consolidate the already fearsome batting lineup with the likes of Smith, Kallis and ABD. He has been in terrific form lately. In fact, I was a little disappointed he wasn’t awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy this year. I couldn’t help but compare him with another great batsman, Rahul Dravid. Both are composed, hardworking and known for their dependability and stroke play
9. Dale Steyn
With the advent and rise of T20 cricket and additional power-plays, fast bowling has become a tough job. The economy rates of all the fast bowlers have gone up. People thought there could never be players like Richard Hadlee and Wasim Akram who revolutionized the art of fast bowling. There were two players who proved them wrong – Shane Bond and Dale Steyn. Dale Steyn is arguably the best fast bowler in the present era. He may not have the variations of Malinga, but he is aggressive, disciplined, and intelligent. I have lost count of the times the captain turns to him in difficult situations and how he delivers – every single time.
8. Kumar Sangakkara
Sangakkara is one of the most prolific run-getters for Sri Lanka in all forms of Cricket. He has a subtlety to his batting that allows him to score easily off every bowler. He is great behind the stumps and had quite a successful captaincy term. He is unlucky to miss out on the two World Cup finals that he was a part of. He, along with Jayawardene, continues to be the backbone of the Sri Lankan batting lineup.
7. Shane Watson
You have a player who can open your batting and open your bowling, and he is playing in one of the best cricketing nations. The statement underlies the importance of Watson to a resurgent Australia. He is extremely good in T20 and ODI cricket. He, along with David Warner, forms one of the most fearsome opening-batting line-up. In spite of his frequent injury problems, he continues to serve the country with match-winning performances with both bat and ball.
6. Kevin Pietersen
Everything about Pietersen has been dramatic. His heroic entry into international cricket, his stylish batting, his brief captaincy stint, his controversies on and off the field (consequently leading to his retirement announcement). Beyond these things, the Ashes hero is a consistent performer and a match-winner. Now that most of his controversies are sorted out, it would be interesting to see if he will become the legend that people always thought he could be.
5. Abraham de Villiers
It’s a sheer delight to watch ABD bat. He has a very wide array of shots. Add to it his sparkling fielding efforts or wicket-keeping. He had to take up the wicket-keeping after the fall of Boucher. Personally, he would like to play as a specialist batsman but eventually, placed the team’s priorities over his. As long as he stays at the crease, it’s just impossible to write off the chances of his team, no matter how difficult the situation may look.
At first, he was all glitz, on and off the field. He had dream debut matches. The game shaped him into the intelligent and composed cricketer he is now. His strongest attribute is his consistency and he has developed one more to rival it – the art of captaincy. His brilliant shot-selection aside, he is a great fielder at point and mid-off and is known for stunning run-outs and handy left arm spin. After the fall of Ponting, Gilchrist and the elite Australia, he is left with the responsibility of getting the team out of the trough and to the crest. Going by the figures till now, he has done a great job.
3. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
He is one of the most complete cricketers of the present era. You talk of match-winning, captaincy, commitment and entertainment. and Dhoni has it all. Dhoni brought with him a bit of unorthodoxy to the Indian team. He was an integral part of India’s World Cup winning effort. The game has transformed him from a fearless batsman to a calculated cricketer. Though he is criticized as a Test captain, he remains the most accomplished Indian captain in ODIs and T20s.
2. Jacques Kallis
His name rings synonymous with a complete all-rounder. The broad-shouldered player has always been one of the greatest strengths of South Africa. His fitness is admirable and he adapts to the situation as well as anyone could. His trademark cover drives and pull shots are a treat to watch. For someone who has been there for quite a while, he is arguably the best all-rounder the game has ever seen.
I need not explain.
Players who missed out: Alastair Cook, Saeed Ajmal, Chris Gayle, Chanderpaul, Virat Kohli, Mohammad Hafeez
