Best XI across all formats in 2016

Ravichandran Ashwin

2016 was a year in which Ravichandran Ashwin broke the Asian record for being the fastest to 200 Tests and as the leading wicket-taker in Tests and second on the list in T20Is. 97 wickets in all formats in the year means that there can be little doubt about who the year's best bowler was.

Ashwin beat his personal-best tally of most wickets in calendar year, which he set last year but fell just short of the Indian record of most wickets in Tests in a series and a calendar year. Still, Ashwin was simply sublime in Tests, where he picked up 72 wickets in 12 matches and 23 wickets in T20Is in 17 matches at an economy rate of just 6.30.

The only blot on Ashwin's copybooks in 2016 was his performance in ODIs, although playing just two of India's 13 matches in the format meant he didn't have too much time to any impact, which will be something he will be looking to correct in 2017.