2013 in Review: Top 10 ODI bowlers of the year

2. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja

The title of ‘Sir’ which was initially given to him to make fun actually fits today, now that he is India’s most successful bowler this year with 52 wickets in 2013. He was Man of the Match in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in which he got 2 wickets and scored 33* with the bat. He took 12 wickets in 5 games in this tournament that India won, that included a five-for against the West Indies at The Oval, for which he was Man of the Match, too.

It has been an incredible year for him, and likewise, for Indian limited overs cricket. And he has been one of the reasons for it. His 4/23 in the Tri-Nation final at Trinidad was instrumental in wrapping up the Sri Lankan tail in a thrilling game that India won by 1 wicket with 2 balls remaining to lift the winner’s trophy.

He carries the burden of Indian spin department on his shoulders, at least in limited over cricket wherein few have proved to be as effective as him. He continued about his work unaffected when he was at the receiving end of some ill-humour nobody playing at the international level would have liked to get. He took that in his stride and today he is one of the best in the world as far as spin bowling in limited over cricket goes. Thus, we know he can deliver in tough situations and pull off some match-savers at the most needed times.

He can and will surely go on to become one of India’s best spinners on current form. At 25, he has all the time in the world to become one of the most successful bowlers of the game in the future.

1. Saeed Ajmal

Saeed Ajmal

It was an amazing year for this 36-year old who has 60 wickets to his name so far, the highest among the lot. He had a pretty healthy economy (4.13) too, while he went about his business. Ajmal entered late in the international arena, but he is one of the best today when it comes to bowling. He is Pakistan’s main weapon in the middle overs when they rely on him to get them the wickets and break the partnerships.

He has a knack of doing that, and leaving the batsmen utterly confused. He uses the doosra to good effect, which explains why batsmen find him so difficult to read. He is a wily customer too, and proves to be an intelligent bowler more often than not and is seen to be bowling according to the situation most times.

He started off the year in style with 3/20 and 5/24 in consecutive games against India in the last two games of the series that Pakistan won 2-1. Then came South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe and recently Sri Lanka, all of whom got a taste of his dangerous bowling.

His most recent performance of 4/39 against Sri Lanka as the year comes to an end is instrumental in giving Pakistan a 3-1 lead in the 5 match series against them. He is sure to continue for another year or even more and till then all the batsmen in the world are going to be weary of him, whenever they face him. He continues to be one of the most difficult spinners to read in recent times.