Kohli, De Villiers, Dhoni, Starc Headline An All Conquering WORLD ODI XI For Previous Decade

ODI cricket in the last decade witnessed modern greats of the game at the peaks of their prowess, young turks showcasing the ability to become stars for the future and a handful of stalwarts bidding adieu to the sport.

AB De Villiers, Virat Kohli and Mitchell Starc (Collage)

ODI cricket in the last decade witnessed modern greats of the game at the peaks of their prowess, young turks showcasing the ability to become cricketing stars for the future and a handful of stalwarts bidding adieu to the sport. While India, England and Australia battled it out as the 'Numero Uno' team at the pinnacle of the white-ball format, New Zealand and South Africa were formidable challengers to the big guns. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka and Windies languished at the bottom of the table. Much to their credit, Bangladesh and Afghanistan made rapid strides to rise up the ranks and shed their minnows tag in ODI cricket.  One day cricket continued to witness some of the greatest exponents with the willow showcasing their pedigree at batsman-ship with their flashy strokeplay, power hitting and run grafting being part of formidable batting lineups. Powerhouses of ODI cricket operated with lethal seam bowling units which hunted in pack to help teams win matches. The art of spin bowling was revived with world class tweakers going onto become strike weapons in their respective team's bowling armoury. Last but not the least, the fitness levels of teams went a notch up and became an integral element in an ODI outfit's recipe to success. Here is look at the indispensable assets who were arguably the best at their roles in staking a claim in the possible the strongest ODI XI  for the last decade WORLD STRONGEST PROBABLE ODI XI (2010-2019) I OPENERS ROHIT SHARMA AND HASHIM AMLA Rohit Sharma M: 180 | Runs: 8249 | Ave: 53.56 | SR: 90.63 | HS: 264 | 100s: 28 | 50s: 39 Hashim Amla: M: 159 | Runs: 7265 | Ave: 49.76 | SR: 89.11 | HS: 159 | 100s: 26 | 50s: 33 Each ODI team had a world class opening duo which could take the attack to the cleaners with their wide gamut of stroke-play. However, the two stroke-makers who made a telling impression with their opening exploits up the order were Rohit Sharma and Hashim Amla. While the 'Hitman' was an outright match winner with his penchant to torment attacks with those whirlwind daddy tons, Amla was the silent assassin who went about run scoring with clinical efficiency. While Rohit looked on another level with his sheer exuberance to tonk those well timed sixes, Amla's supple wrist work to maneuver the ball was simply heavenly to watch. Amla and Rohit beat their contemporaries on account of their sheer consistency, match winning impact, penchant to score hundreds and longevity to play at the highest level. Honourable Mentions: David Warner, Quinton De Kock, T Dilshan, Shikhar Dhawan, Jason Roy and Johhny Bairstow II. MIDDLE ORDER No.3 - VIRAT KOHLI (INDIA) M: 227 | Runs: 11125 | Ave: 60.79 | SR: 94.11 | HS: 183 | 100s: 42 | 50s: 52 There should be no debate on who bats at No.3 in the world's all time ODI XI. Virat Kohli cements his spot courtesy his semi-bradmanesque run in white ball cricket with saw him amass a whopping 11,000 runs laced with 42 tons all through the decade. Piling up some mammoth total or chasing down herculean targets with effortless ease, the 'Chase Master' excelled as India's all seasoned prolific run machine and broke numerous records courtesy his purple patch with the bat. Kohli's staggering consistency was testament to a match winning ton in every fifth innings he batted in ODIs. The masterclass was a shade above his contemporaries like Kane Williamson, Babar Azam and Joe Root, who were very good batsmen in their own merit. No.4 - AB De Villiers (SOUTH AFRICA) M: 135 | Runs: 6485 | Ave: 64.20 | SR: 109.76 | HS: 176 | 100s: 21 | 50s: 33 If a batsman had to be judged on the basis of sheer skill, talent and versatility, AB De Villiers stood heads and shoulders above everyone in the decade. The Proteas' batting wizard whose wide repertoire of shots was unmatched, could flay the best of attacks with sheer disdain. When on song, the highly versatile  'Mr 360' was a brutal assaulter who often changed the course of the game in a blink of an eye. Add to his eye pleasing stroke-play, his sheer athleticism on the field which made him a live-wire in a highly athletic South African outfit. Honourable Mentions: Faf Du Plessis, Ross Taylor, Kumar Sangakkara, Eoin Morgan,Steve Smith III. All-ROUNDERS 5. SHAKIB AL HASAN (BANGLADESH) M: 131 | Runs: 4276 | Ave: 38.87 | SR: 86.07 | HS: 124* | 100s: 5 | 50s: 35 | Wkts: 177 | Ave: 30.15 | Econ: 4.72 | SR: 38.2 | 5wi: 2 | BB: 5-29 Bangladesh' star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was the most gifted cricketer with the willow and red cherry. While Shakib could hold fort in the middle order and consistently rack up runs with meaningful knocks, he was always among the wickets with his immaculate and economical left arm spin. His role in transforming the fortunes of Bangladesh from minnows to formidable challengers in ODIs during the last decade is noteworthy. Honourable Mentions: Ben Stokes, Angelo Matthews, Ravindra Jadeja, Thisara Perera IV. WICKET-KEEPER No. 6 MS Dhoni (INDIA) M: 196 | Runs: 5640 | Ave: 50.35 | SR: 85.79 | HS: 139no | 100s: 4 | 50s: 39 | Ct: 170 | St: 72 Could there be a better bet to finish off nerve racking games with clinical efficiency.. 'Captain Cool' Dhoni's temperament and poise to pull off games from the jaws of defeat made him a finisher par excellence in the decade. Unconventional but highly effective, Dhoni's penchant to hit the acceleration button at just the right time made him priceless asset at No. 6. Dhoni's razor sharp reflexes behind the stumps effected electrifying stumping which were made to look rather easy. More importantly,his astute brain and dynamic leadership qualities were pivotal to India's phenomenal run in ODI cricket, which was headlines by two ICC trophies in the kitty M: 196 | Runs: 5640 | Ave: 50.35 | SR: 85.79 | | 100s: 4 | 50s: 39 | Ct: 170 | St: 72 Notable Mentions: Jos Buttler, Brendon McCullum, Shai Hope No 7. Glen Maxwell Glen Maxwell was arguably the most explosive bludgeonor in ODI cricket, who produced quite a few whirlwind cameos to help Australia clinch some nerve wrecking wins all through the decade. The 'Big Show' unleashed sheer carnage with his unconventional yet belligerent power hitting to which left many bowling attacks demoralized. 'Hit Out Or Get Out' Was Maxwell's mantra as went about his daredevil approach to batting and thrilled audiences with those power-packed hits over the fence.  The pugnacious strokemaker added value to the Aussies ODI unit with his more than handy off spin, besides being a gun fielder with immense athletic ability across the turf. V. SEAM ATTACK - FAST BOWLERS 8. MITCHELL STARC (AUSTRALIA) M: 85 | Wkts: 172 | Ave: 20.99 | Econ: 5.02 | SR: 25.00 | 5wi: 7 | BB: 6-28 With a rhythmic run-up and a flowing action, Mitchell Starc was undoubtedly the most fearsome left arm seam bowler during the last decade. When on full steam, Mitchell Starc produced some fiery spells to run through the best of defences. An out and out wicket-taker, the pace spearhead was lethal with his big in-swinging deliveries and could bowl the yorkers at will. Starc brought out his best performances at the ICC World Cups was Australia's leading wicket taker in two successive editions.. Starc's bowling heroics were pivotal in helping Australia lift their 2015 World Cup title and regain their place as a formidable unit in ODI cricket. 9. TRENT BOULT (NEW ZEALAND) M: 89 | Wkts: 164 | Ave: 25.06 | Econ: 5.05 | SR: 29.70 | 5wi: 5 | BB: 7-34 New Zealand's strike weapon with the new ball, Trent Boult was the Kiwis dartman who cartwheeled the stumps of the best with those potent swinging deliveries. Bowling briskly at around the 140 kmps mark, Boult produced a thunderbolt when he was in his rhythm and often dented the opposition with early blows.He along with Southee, Henry and Co. formed a potent attack which helped the Kiwis reach two successive World Cup finals. 10. LASITH MALINGA (SRI LANKA) M: 162 | Wkts: 248 | Ave: 28.74 | Econ: 5.46 | SR: 31.5 | 5wi: 8 | BB: 6-38 Sri Lankan pace ace Lasith Malinga continued to wreck havoc into opposition lineups with his lively pace, potent swing and nagging accuracy. 'Slinger' Malinga could rip apart the strongest of  defences with his prodigious swing and immaculate control.Despite his age well over 35, Malinga led the Lankan pace attack with distinction for yet another decade. Honourable Mentions: Pat Cummins, Dale Steyn, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Kagiso Rabada, Junaid Khan VI. SPINNER 11. IMRAN TAHIR (SOUTH AFRICA) Imran Tahir was South Africa's spin king who bamboozled the best of batsmen with a bagful of variations, craft and deception. The Proteas wicket-taking tweaker was a perennial partnership breaker with a knack of picking up big wickets. Tahir's over the top animated celebrations became one of the most watched moments on the cricket field. He along with Rashid Khan, Adil Rashid and Adam Zampa revived the art of leg spin and re-cemented it as a potent weapon in white ball cricket. Honourable Mentions: Rashid Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Kuldeep Yadav, Shahid Afridi WORLD's  BEST PROBABLE / DREAM ODI XI (2010-2019)- Rohit Sharma, Hashim Amla, Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers, Shakib Al Hasan, MS Dhoni (c and wk), Glen Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Lasith Malinga, Imran Tahir Cricketers who just missed the cut in making it to the Dream Team have been named in the second best ODI XI of the decade Second Best ODI XI 2010-2019) David Warner, Quinton De Kock, Babar Azam / Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler (wk), Ben Stokes, Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada