All-Time ODI XI: The men who matter

#10 Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)

Muralitharan remains the most prolific bowler in ODI history

Perhaps no cricketer has polarised standpoint to a greater extent than Muttiah Muralitharan. Even as naysayers, as well as detractors, continued to question the veracity of his bowling action, the Sri Lankan wizard surmounted turmoil with his gentle smile to end up as the leading wicket-taker in the history of international cricket. With the ability to generate substantial turn on even unresponsive surfaces, he entrapped his foes.

Muralitharan’s skills to bamboozle opposition batsmen were evident when he ran rings around a hesitant England lineup at the de facto home of cricket in the 1998 Emirates Triangular Tournament. Despite battling suspicion right throughout his career, the off-spinner did not allow self-doubt to creep into his game and managed to emerge unscathed.

Statistics: 534 wickets from 350 matches at an average of 23.08 and economy-rate of 3.93 with 10 five-wicket hauls

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#11 Glenn McGrath (Australia)

McGrath was an integral part of the Australian team which won three consecutive World Cups

Metronomic and relentless, Glenn McGrath suffocated plenty of batting lineups in his extremely productive career. A triple World Cup winner, he was named the player of the 2007 edition for his remarkable consistency throughout the tournament. Although he could crank his pace up to considerable levels if the mood took him, the Aussie icon never wavered from his impeccable line and length.

Not a lot would know of his arduous story which in many ways shaped his journey to the top. His unique training methods were attuned to the surrounding circumstances. The 5/14 that sent West Indies collapsing to 110 during a group clash in the 1999 World Cup was a perfect demonstration of McGrath’s inimitable mastery.

Statistics: 381 wickets from 250 matches at an average of 22.02 and economy-rate of 3.88 with 7 five-wicket hauls

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12th Man – Michael Bevan (Australia)

Bevan was a trendsetter in every sense of the word

Before Dhoni barnstormed the vagaries of the death overs, Michael Bevan unveiled the manual on batting in the business stages of the innings and consequently carved a niche for himself in the 50-over format. The ‘Original Finisher’ consistently controlled Australia’s fortunes in countless run-chases. Possessing the rare ability to manoeuvre the field, he routinely kept opposition skippers on their toes by splitting gaps with consummate ease.

Among the shining examples of his penchant for holding fort till the very end are the adroit century against New Zealand at MCG in the 2002 VB series and the rearguard knock of 74 against familiar foes England at the biggest stage of them all in 2003.

Statistics: 6912 runs from 232 matches at an average of 53.58 and strike-rate of 74.16 with 6 centuries and 46 fifties

Full Team: Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Virat Kohli, Sir Viv Richards, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni (c)(wk), Lance Klusener, Wasim Akram, Brett Lee, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath; 12^th man – Michael Bevan