Cricket Australia has selected former Indian skipper, MS Dhoni, as their captain and wicket-keeper batsman in their ODI team of the decade. Dhoni had led India to glory in the 2011 World Cup and had scored a match-winning 91 in the final against Sri Lanka. The talisman had also led with aplomb in the 2013 Champions Trophy and had taken his team to victory.
Since then, India is yet to savor success in any ICC major event. Meanwhile, Indian opener Rohit Sharma who has had a fantastic decade makes the cut into Cricket Australia’s ODI team of the decade. The right-hander scored 8249 runs in this decade at an average of 53.56.
Three Indian players find a place in Cricket Australia’s team of the decade.
Rohit’s opening partner is former South Africa’s opener Hashim Amla. The Proteas opener was one of the most consistent batsmen of the decade and amassed 7265 runs at an average of 49.76 from 2010-2019.
The current Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who is the best batsman of the decade gets a place in the team. Kohli scored most runs (11125) in this decade at a stunning average of 60.79.
Former South African skipper AB de Villiers who gathered 6485 runs at an average of 64.20 gets a place in the middle-order. Ex-Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan who had a great World Cup 2019 is the all-rounder in the team.
England wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler who accumulated 3843 runs in the decade at a staggering strike rate of 119.83 makes the cut into Cricket Australia’s team. Afghanistan’s talisman spinner Rashid Khan who took giant strides and scalped 133 wickets in 70 ODI matches is the premier spinner in the side.
The pace battery consists of Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult and Lasith Malinga but there was no place for Jasprit Bumrah. Mitchell Starc and Boult scalped 172 and 164 wickets respectively in the decade.
Cricket Australia ODI team of the decade:
MS Dhoni (c & wk), Rohit Sharma, Hashim Amla, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Shakib Al Hasan, Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan, Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Lasith Malinga.