Disappointing XI of 2018
2018 has just come to an end and we have witnessed a lot of interesting matches in international cricket this year. Throughout the year, the likes of Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Rashid Khan and Jonny Bairstow had some brilliant performances.
While Virat Kohli dominated the ODIs and Tests in the batting department, Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada were the highest wicket-takers in ODIs and Tests respectively. But, there were a few cricketers who have failed to live up to the expectations.
Here, we try to make an XI with the players who disappointed in the year 2018.
Openers:
Chris Lynn (Australia)
The hard-hitting opener from Australia, Chris Lynn, is a specialist in the shortest format of the game. He came into the limelight when he dismantled the bowlers in the Big Bash League. His skills at the top of the order earned him a contract in T20 leagues around the world such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
But, the destructive batsman who has been tremendous in the various T20 leagues failed to repeat the same performance on the international stage this year. He scored just 226 runs from 12 matches at a forgettable average of 18.83 in T20Is.
Even though he began the year on a good note in the home series against England and New Zealand, he failed against Pakistan and India. He did not score a single fifty in the T20Is last year.
Chris Lynn's T20I stats in 2018:
Matches: 12, Runs - 226, Average - 18.83, Highest score - 44
Murali Vijay (India)
Murali Vijay has been a trusted opener in Tests for India since his debut. In 2017, he was in prime form when he accumulated 520 runs from just 6 matches at a terrific average of 52, scoring three hundreds.
However, the right-handed opener lost his form that cost him his place in the squad. The 34-year-old scored just 282 runs from 15 innings at a poor average of 18.80. He did not begin the year with the desired result as he ended the series against South Africa without a single fifty.
Later, he scored a much-needed hundred against Afghanistan at home to secure his place. However, it did not help him regain his form and he bagged a pair against England. Following his poor form in England and Australia, he lost his place in the playing eleven for the Boxing Day Test against Australia.
Murali Vijay's Test stats in 2018:
Matches - 6, Runs - 282, Average - 18.80, Highest score - 105