Top 5 current all-rounders in ODI cricket

Cricket is blessed to have some of the greatest batsmen and bowlers who have showcased their talent and contributed towards the game. Few players who possessed both skills have been the greatest all-rounders in the history of cricket.

Players like Sir Ian Botham, Sir Garfield Sobers, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, and Jacques Kallis have been the best all-rounders in the game. These cricketers were most important for their team as they provided them the much-needed balance both with the bat and the ball. It is a captain's dream to have a genuine all-rounder in the team.

Currently, genuine all-rounders are not in abundance, but there are few players who possess both skills equally. With the advent of T20 and ODI cricket, the team looks for a player who has both skills.

Let us find out some of the current all-rounders in ODI cricket.

#5 Mohammed Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez is one of the most useful all-rounders for Pakistan team. He is nicknamed as 'The Professor' who bats with proper technique and plays all the shots elegantly. With the ball, he bowls accurately and does not leak easy runs.

In the ICC ODI rankings for all-rounders, Hafeez stands second in the list. He has scored 6107 runs in 200 matches with 11 centuries and 34 fifties to his name. He was equally impressive with the ball picking up 136 wickets at an amazing economy of 4.11.

Hafeez was banned from bowling on various occasion for his illegal action. He has now remodeled his action and is currently bowling. He has been in and out of the team owing to his form. He will play a crucial role if he plays in the World Cup next year.

#4 Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali was initially drafted into the England team as specialist offspinner after the retirement of Graeme Swann. He was a decent batsman at that time, but as he kept on playing more games, he gained more reputation as a genuine all-rounder.

In ODI format, Moeen has played even as an opener and was successful for a brief time. He has accumulated 1584 runs in 82 ODI matches and scored three centuries and five fifties. He has picked up 74 wickets at an economy of 5.05. He currently stands sixth in the list of ICC ODI rankings for all-rounders.

Moeen is currently the frontline spinner for the English team along with Adil Rashid and has been effective in the middle overs. At No.7, he has added crucial runs in the death overs. Overall, he has turned out to be a great find for England.

#3 Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib's performance will be crucial for Bangladesh in next year's World Cup

Shakib Al Hasan is one of the main pillars in Bangladesh cricket. He is currently number one player in the ICC ODI rankings for all-rounders and has been there consistently at the top.

Shakib has been a consistent performer for the team both with the bat and ball and has won matches single-handedly. In 186 ODI matches, he has picked up 235 wickets at an average below 30 and economy of 4.45. With the bat, he has accumulated 5340 runs with 7 centuries and 38 half-centuries.

During the Champions Trophy 2017, he played match-winning knock of 114 runs which helped Bangladesh in qualifying for the semis. The team has reached new heights with his all-round performance over the years and will hope to continue the same till he plays.

#2 Ben Stokes

Benjamin Stokes is one of the finest all-rounders. Especially after the retirement of 2005 Ashes hero, Andrew Flintoff, the England team was struggling to find an all-around skill player until Stokes came into the picture.

After the disappointing World Cup campaign in 2015, English ODI team had rejuvenated themselves by playing attacking brand of cricket. Stokes is one of those players who has brought a big change in this team. He has been the genuine all-rounder of this team and won many matches on his own.

In 70 ODI matches, he has scored 1846 runs at an average of 35.50 with 3 tons and 12 fifties. He has picked up 58 wickets at economy just above 6. Besides his batting and bowling skills, he is a brilliant fielder and brings a lot of energy into the field.

If England wants to lift the World Cup next year, then Stokes will surely be the trump card player for the team.

#1 Hardik Pandya

The stature of Hardik Pandya as a genuine all-rounder is getting stronger with every match he plays. He has solved the long-term issue of the 5th bowler for which the Indian team was struggling so long.

Hardik has made giant strides in his short career, especially in the limited overs format. In 41 ODI matches, he has scored 671 with an incredible strike rate of 114.53 and average close to 30. The ability to pull off 20-run overs in pressure situations is indeed a very special talent and remains a vital cog in the ODI fold.

Hardik has been equally effective with the ball picking up 40 wickets with an economy of 5.57. His knack of picking up wickets in the middle overs helps in maintaining the pressure on the opposition.

The hard-hitting all-rounder is an integral part of the Indian team and will play a crucial role going into the next year’s World Cup.