My ODI XI of 2017

Here, I sift through the numbers, wickets and runs to pick my ODI XI of 2017.

1. Rohit Sharma - 21 innings, 1293 runs with a highest score of 208* and an average of 71.

The second highest run scorer of the year in ODIs, after his captain, Virat Kohli. The opener returned to international cricket in the Champions Trophy, after he was out of action due to a thigh-injury. In his 1st game itself, he scored 91 runs, which set the tone of the Champions Trophy.

With his third double-ton in ODIs against Sri Lanka in Mohali, he became the first batsman to notch 3 double hundreds in ODI Cricket. One of the major reasons of India's success in 2017, was the Hitman's incredible form.

2. Shikhar Dhawan - 22 innings, 960 runs  with a highest score of 132* and an average of 48.

Rohit Sharma's partner in crime throughout the year was Shikhar Dhawan. Both of these batsman were dominant and scored runs right at the top of the order consistently for India.

Dhawan slots in ahead of another left-handed opener, Quinton de Kock, who racked up 956 runs in 19 innings.

3. Virat Kohli (Captain) - 26 innings, 1460 runs with a highest score of 131 at an average of 76.

I don't think there is any explanation needed for this man. The run-machine has been in incredible form after 2016, and has been scoring runs consistently since then. He now has 32 ODI tons, and only precedes his idol, Sachin Tendulkar, in the most number of ODI tons, who has 49.

Kohli has an average of 55 in ODIs, which is the 3rd highest average of any batsman in ODI cricket. He also surpassed 9,000 ODI runs and became the fastest batsman to reach the milestone.

Kohli regained the No 1 ranking on the ICC ODI Batsman Rankings as well, with 889 points - the best ever by an Indian cricketer.

4. Ross Taylor - 20 innings, 968 runs with a highest score of 107 at an average of 60.

Not many contenders were there for the number 4 spot in the ODI XI, but out of all, Ross Taylor's numbers ensured his spot in the XI. His two centuries this year came against Australia & South Africa, both in winning causes. That critical innings of 95 against India, which helped secured victory in the 1st ODI in Mumbai, was another highlight of Taylor of 2017, and the year was rounded off with scores of 49*, 57 and 47* as New Zealand blanked West Indies 3-0.

5. MS Dhoni (WK) - 22 innings, 788 runs with a highest score of 134 at an average of 60.

He might not be the Dhoni of the yore, but his ability to stick around and score consistently finds him a place as the wicket-keeper batsman in the side. At the start of the year, MS Dhoni with one of his favorite batting partners, Yuvraj Singh, wounded the clock back to score a memorable 134 against England in Cuttack.

Other highlights were an 88 ball 79 against Australia which turned the score-line from 87/5 into 277/7, an unbeaten 78 off 79 to set up victory over the Windies, and scores of 45*, 67* and 49* against Sri Lanka as they were whitewashed 5-0 in the ODI series. Then there was the small matter of effecting the most dismissals this year - 39.

6. Ben Stokes - 13 innings, 616 runs with a highest score of 102* at an average of 61 ; 14 wickets with the ball.

Stokes started off the year with 3 half-centuries in 4 innings, trudged off a bit, and then roared back with 2 centuries in 3 innings, both of them in match-winning causes. His first ton came against South Africa to wind up the series 2-0; then he dumped Australia out of the Champions Trophy with an unbeaten 102 off 109. His final ODI innings of the year was 73 off 63 balls, before he was suspended from international cricket due to a late night pub brawl. With the ball, Stokes had 14 wickets.

7. Hardik Pandya - 19 innings, 557 runs with a highest score of 83 at an average of 34 ; 31 wickets with the ball.

With 31 wickets and more than 550 runs, Hardik Pandya played a vital role in India's rise over the rankings. His pace-balling proved to be very effective against England, Australia, Sri Lanka, Windies & New Zealand. His batting turned multiple games in India's favour, and yes, how can we forget his scintillating knock against Pakistan, in the Champions Trophy Final!

8. Liam Plunkett - 36 wickets in 17 innings, with best balling figures of 5/52 at an economy rate of 5.62 and a strike rate of 23.9

The 32 year-old grabbed 36 wickets in 17 innings, going wicket less on just 4 occasions. Plunkett ended up as the fourth highest wicket taker of 2017, behind Hasan Ali, Rashid Khan & Jasprit Bumrah. His consistency has been the hallmark of the 2017, with him enjoying extraordinary success against The Windies, in both home and away series.

He also took two 4 wicket-hauls in the Champions Trophy. His ability to hit the deck hard comes across as an added advantage.

9. Jasprit Bumrah - 39 wickets in 23 innings, with best balling figures of 5/27 at an economy rate of 5.13 and a strike rate of 30.6

Bumrah's rise in limited overs cricket has been simply outstanding. From getting notice of a weird styled balling action, he is now known for his incredible accuracy and deadly yorkers. At the end of 2017, the right-hander is ranked number 3 in both ODIs and T20i rankings. With his maiden test call, Bumrah is expected to grow better.

10. Rashid Khan - 43 wickets in 15 innings, with best balling figures of 7/18 at an economy rate of 3.8 and a strike rate of 16.4

Those numbers say it all for the Afghani leg-spinner. Rashid Khan ended his year as the second highest wicket taker, only behind Hasan Ali. He also recorded the lowest economy rate, strike rate and average in 2017. And then, you look at his age and see it is just 19. If he is not retained by the Sunrisers Hyderabad, I wonder for what cost will he be bought by any other franchisee.

11. Hasan Ali -  45 wickets in 18 innings, with best balling figures of 5/34 at an economy rate of 5.03 and a strike rate of 20.3

Hasan Ali notched up 45 wickets in 201 and ended up as the highest-wicket taker of the year. Cheifly, Ali bowled his team to the Champions Trophy title with 13 wickets in 5 games, inclusive of the ball of the tournament, to be deserved as the player of the tournament as well. Hasan Ali took at least one 5 wicket haul in each bilateral series Pakistan had played. Certainly, he is the future of the Pakistan bowling.

That's my ODI XI of the year, share your opinions by commenting below!

Cheers,

Sparsh