Best ODI XI of the 21st century
From 1877 to 1971, Test cricket was the lone format of the game. On 5th January 1971, One Day International cricket came into existence. The ODIs have been a great source of entertainment even after the inception of the T20s,
In this Fantasy XI, we look at players from various countries that have stamped their authority over the opposition by producing dominating performances. The selected players have done well not only at the ICC events but also in the bilateral and tri-series tournaments.
We have considered the stats only of matches played in the 21st century while selecting the players. (Since 1st January 2001)
Openers
#1 Sachin Tendulkar
Any all-time XI, without the Master Blaster being a part of it, is incomplete. 18426 runs in 463 ODIs at an average of 44.63 with 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries, the numbers speak for themselves. To add to his many records, Sachin was the first to reach the 200 run mark in ODIs against South Africa in 2010.
Throughout his staggering career, Tendulkar gave his fans a lot of memories to cherish, like the 98 vs. Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup, a century in the CB series final in 2007 are a few of his knocks in the 21st century that his fans will cherish for a long time.
Sachin also enjoyed an exquisite World Cup career. He represented India in 6 World Cups, a joint-record with Javed Miandad of Pakistan. The Indian batsman scored a record 2278 runs in the tournament with six centuries at an average of 56.95.
In the 21st century, the 2011 World Cup winner has scored 8527 runs at an average of 48.17 and a strike rate of 86.41 with 22 centuries and 46 fifties. He has scored the 3rd most runs as an opener in ODIs in the 21st century.
The former India batsman has a record 62 Man of the Match awards in ODI cricket, including 15 Man of the Series awards.
#2 Tillakaratne Dilshan
Dilshan's selection may come as a surprise for many despite the Sri Lankan batsman scoring over 10,000 runs in ODIs, including 22 centuries for the island nation. Regarded as one of the most innovative batsmen of all time, Dilshan invented the scoop, later on, known as the Dil-scoop.
Throughout his career for Sri Lanka, he was mainly in the shadow of the two greats of the game, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. He was a part of Sri Lanka's team, which finished as Runner-up in the ICC World Cups in 2007 and 2011.
In the present century, the 2-time world cup runner-up has scored 7367 runs at an average of 46.04 and a strike rate of 89.08 with 21 centuries and 34 fifties as an opener.
He was the leading run-scorer in the 2011 ICC World Cup amassing 500 runs in 9 matches. The Asian opener had an average of 62.5 and a strike rate of 90.74. He also scored two centuries and two half-centuries, including an unbeaten hundred in the quarter-final vs. England.