Only a handful of ODIs were played last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. But despite that, there were a few thrilling and exciting contests in ODIs. There were also a few brilliant individual performances in ODIs in 2020. Cricwizz takes a look at the best XI in ODI in 2020.
Openers
KL Rahul (India)
Although KL Rahul didn’t open for India in 2020 in ODIs, he was the most successful batsman for the team while batting in the middle-order. He provided the team the finishing touch post the exit of India’s greatest finisher in MS Dhoni. Rahul even donned the gloves for India in limited-overs cricket. He scored 443 runs @ 55.37 with 1 ton and 3 fifties in 12 ODIs for India – the fifth most runs in ODIs in 2020.
Aaron Finch (Captain)
Getting to partner him is Aaron Finch who was at his best in 2020, striking 2 tons and 5 fifties in 13 ODIs. He emerged the top run-getter in 2020, aggregating 673 runs @ 56.08. He also gets to captain this XI after winning 6 games – the most by any skipper in 2020 – and losing 7 games last year.
Middle-order
Virat Kohli (India)
Kohli failed to hit a ton in ODIs, but he came up with 5 fifties in 9 ODIs he played for India. Although it was a rare bad year for Kohli as per his high standards, he still made it to the XI for his sheer ability to win matches single-handedly. He scored 431 runs @ 47.88 in 9 ODIs in 2020.
Steve Smith (Australia)
Smith scored the most tons (3) in ODIs in 2020, with two consecutive tons against India in the 2-1 series win Down Under. He scored 568 runs @ 63.11 in 10 ODIs, with 3 tons and 2 fifties.
Aaqib Ilyas (Oman)
There is a surprise player in this XI. Aaqib Illyas of Oman averages 100 in ODIs in 2020. He scored 400 runs in 6 ODIs with 2 tons and 2 fifties.
Keeper
Jonny Bairstow (England)
The England keeper has had a decent year, both with the bat and gloves. He gets to play in this XI. He scored 346 @ 43.25 in with 1 ton and 2 fifties in 9 ODIs in 2020.
All-rounder
Glenn Maxwell (Australia)
Maxwell was a big flop in IPL 2020, failing to hit a single six throughout the tournament. But whenever he was in national colours, he gave it his all. He takes the lone all-rounder’s spot in this XI. He averages 70.60 in 2020, with a strike rate of 145.26 – unbelievable figures compared to his poor returns in IPL. He scored 353 runs with 1 ton and 3 fifties in 6 ODIs last year.
Spinner
Azam Zampa (Australia)
What a year Zampa had in 2020! He was highly successful in ODIs last year, emerging the highest wicket-taker with 27 wickets in 13 ODIs for Australia.
Pace bowlers
Alzarri Joseph (WI), Lungi Ngidi (SA), and Josh Hazlewood (Aust)
Joseph played just 6 games, but managed to pick up 18 wickets @ 14.72 last year. He has had 3 four-wicket hauls in 2020. Hazlewood also put impressive performances in ODIs last year, managing 16 wickets in 10 games. Lungi Ngidi of South Africa bags the third seamer’s spot in this XI, after managing 12 wickets @ 16.08 in just 4 ODIs in 2020.
Cover image courtesy: Steve Smith's Facebook page
