The year 2020 is finally coming to an end and we at CRICFIT have picked the ODI team of the year. Unlike past years this time, everything was different and COVID-19 also impacted the cricketing calendar. As a result, there were very few ODI matches that were played throughout the year. Still based on statistics and impact performances of the players we at CRICFIT has picked our ODI XI of the year.
CRICFIT’s ODI Team Of The Year
1. Aaron Finch ©
The ODI skipper of Australia, Aaron Finch was outstanding with the bat in 2020 and ended the year as the leading run-getter. Finch in total played 13 ODI matches this year in which he scored 673 runs at an average of 56.08. On top of that, he led Australia to ODI series wins against India at home and England away from home. Finch deserves to be in the ODI team of the year as to when he scored runs his side won both home and away. Finch will also be the captain of the side.
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2. Johnny Bairstow
It was a difficult choice between David Warner and Johnny Bairstow but in the end, the Englishmen just can’t be ignored. The destructive England opener played a total of 9 ODI matches in which he slammed 346 runs at an impressive average of 43.25 including 1 hundred. His batting partner Jason Roy was woefully out of form in 2020 but Baristow still made sure that his side gets a flying start as he batted fearlessly throughout the year.
3. Steve Smith
At number 3, we have picked the most successful ODI batsman this year based on numbers Steve Smith. The right-handed batsman raised his game in 50 overs cricket this year and played some special knocks. Especially against India this year Smith was simply unstoppable in 2020 against his favourite opponents. In 10 matches he scored 568 runs at an average of 63 including 3 centuries which was the most by any player in ODIs this year.
4. Virat Kohli
In next is the Indian captain Virat Kohli who this year may not have had a very successful year by his standards but his number is still decent. Kohli in 9 matches scores 431 runs at an average of 47.89 including 5 half-centuries. Kohli as captain failed to win the ODI series against Australia and New Zealand and that is why he wasn’t chosen as the captain. As a batsman, Kohli continued to score runs consistently for his and maintained his career average of touching 60 in ODIs.
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5. KL Rahul (WK)
Team India’s new wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul too had an outstanding 2020 with the bat. Rahul quickly adapted to the new role given by the team management and batted splendidly at the crucial number 5 spot. This year in 9 matches, he made 443 runs in ODIs at an average of 55.38 including a brilliant ton in New Zealand.
6. Glenn Maxwell
The ‘big show’ Glenn Maxwell may have been a flop in IPL this year but he was at his best in ODIs playing for Australia. Maxwell played a pivotal role in his side’s series win against England and India this year. Maxwell was a gamechanger batting at 6 for Australia as he contributed not only with the bat but also with the ball. In 6 ODI matches, he scored 353 runs at an average of 70.60 and strike rate of 145.27which made him one of the first picks in the ODI team of the year.
7. Hardik Pandya
He may have just played 3 ODI matches this year but Hardik Pandya once again proved why he is so highly rated by everyone. The Indian all-rounder was at his best against the mighty Australian in their backyard. Pandya smashed 2 half-centuries in 3 matches including one at Canberra when India needed him to stand up to avoid a whitewash.
Pandya not only made runs but he commanded the Aussie attack which his insane strike rate of 114.75 truly justifies. Indian fans will be hoping that Pandya continues his brilliant form and contributes with both bat and ball in 2021.
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8. Adam Zampa
The leggie from Australia, Adam Zampa once again enhanced his reputation in 2020. Zampa picked wickets of quality batsmen and kept a lid on the scoring rate in the middle overs. No batsman was able to dominate the leg-spinner and he ended the year as the highest wicket-taker in ODIs. Zampa picked a total of 27 wickets in 13 matches at an average of just 23.74 which is why he truly deserves to be in the ODI team of the year.
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9. Josh Hazelwood
The tall Australian fast bowler showed that not only he is a brilliant Test bowler but also a quality white-ball bowler. He made the ball talk in ODIs throughout 2020 and troubled quality batsmen of both England and India. Hazelwood was a wicket-taker with the new ball that helped Australia get ahead early in the match. In 10 matches he scalped 16 wickets at an average of 30 which made him one of the most successful fast bowlers in ODIs this year.
10. Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami was undoubtedly India’s best ODI fast bowler in 2020. Team India in ODIs this year failed to pick up wickets but Shami was a rare exception. He may have been expensive in few ODI matches but also provided his side with some important breakthroughs. Shami was the leading wicket-taker for India in ODIs this year with 12 in just 6 matches.
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11. Alzzari Joseph
Many will be surprised to see Alzzari Joseph in the ODI team of the year. However, the talented West Indies fast bowler ended the year with the second most ODI wickets this year and most by a fast bowler. Joseph in 6 ODI matches in 2020 picked 18 wickets at just 14.72 which made him part of the ODI XI of 2020.