ODI XI of 2017

2017 has seen it all. With just a few days to go until we wrap up this year and move on to yet another year of cricketing action, why not have some fun?

With fantasy cricket gaining popularity among cricketing fans and various international cricket leagues combining players from different countries, it seemed like a good idea to try and build a team with the top performers of 2017.

With just a few games left in the calendar year, it is unlikely that the numbers will change too much and the current statistics and rankings for 2017 should be a fair basis to judge players' performances this year.

Based on the numbers, I have compiled an ODI dream team of 2017.

Team Composition:

5 Batsmen

1 Wicket-keeper

1 All-Rounder

4 Bowlers

Rohit Sharma

With 1,076 runs from 18 matches so far, Rohit Sharma has been in top form this year. Scoring 5 centuries and an equal number of half centuries, he has often played long, match-winning knocks accompanied by Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. Sharma has an average of 67.25 and a strike rate of 96.07 in 2017. His highest score this year was 147 which he scored against New Zealand at Kanpur on the 29th of October.

Rohit Sharma's numbers in 2017 ODIs

Rohit is the top opening batsman of 2017 and opens the batting for my side.

Quinton de Kock

The 24-year-old from South Africa has made 956 runs in 19 matches so far in 2017, scoring 7 half-centuries and a couple of centuries. He has an average of 53.11 and a strike rate of 94.84 in 2017.

He has often given the South African team great starts batting alongside Hashim Amla. The duo recently paired up to give South Africa a 10-wicket win over Bangladesh at Kimberley on the 15th of October, where de Kock scored an unbeaten 168, his highest score this year. The youngster also has an excellent record in the sub-continent and is a great player of both pace and spin.

de Kock's ODI record in 2017

Another top opener, de Kock is the wicket-keeper on my side.

Virat Kohli

The run machine from India, Virat Kohli is the top run scorer of 2017 so far. With 1,460 runs in 26 matches at an average of 76.84 and a strike rate of 99.11, Kohli has taken his game to a whole new level this year.

Combining well with the Indian top and middle order, Kohli has played some memorable innings. Kohli thrives under pressure and is a very consistent performer. He has scored 6 centuries and 7 half-centuries this year. His highest score was 131, which came against Sri Lanka in Colombo on the 31st of August.

Kohli's ODI record in 2017

Owing to his incredible batting, fielding and leadership skills, Kohli will bat at number 3 and lead my team.

Joe Root

With 983 runs in 19 matches so far at an average of 70.21 and a strike rate of 92.12, Joseph Edward Root has been one of the top batsmen in 2017. He has scored 7 half centuries and a couple of centuries this year. His consistency and temperament provide stability to the middle order. His highest score this year, which is also his career best, came against Bangladesh at The Oval on the 1st of June, amassing an unbeaten 133.

Root's record in 2017 ODIs

With an excellent record this year, the Englishman will bat at number 4.

Babar Azam

Hailing from Lahore, the 23-year-old Pakistani batsman has caught the attention of many cricketing fans this year. Scoring 872 runs in 18 matches so far at an average of 67.07 and a strike rate of 79.27, Azam has 4 centuries and a couple of half-centuries to his name. His highest score this year, which is also his career best, came against the West Indies at Providence on the 9th of April, where he scored an unbeaten 125.

Azam's ODI record in 2017

Azam comes in at number 5.

AB de Villiers

Having scored 773 runs in 19 matches so far for South Africa at a strike rate of 116.94 and an average of 59.46, Abraham Benjamin de Villiers has had a pretty good year. His highest score this year, which is also his career best, came against Bangladesh at Paarl, on the 18th of October, when he scored a jaw-dropping 176.

de Villiers' ODI record in 2017

de Villiers will bat at number 6.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has made 2017 his own. With notable contributions with both bat and ball for India, the youngster has earned the reputation of a game-changer. With 539 runs at an average of 38.5, a batting strike rate of 120.58, and 27 wickets so far in his 25 matches for India this year, the 'Son of Destiny' as Sunil Gavaskar fondly calls him, is the top all-rounder of 2017.

His highest score this year, which is also his career best, came against Australia at Chennai on the 17th of September. The all-rounder scored 83 to help his team recover from a very bad situation.

Pandya's ODI batting record in 2017

Pandya's ODI bowling record in 2017

Pandya is the all-rounder of my team and bats at number 7.

Liam Plunkett

The tall and well-built pacer from England has had a pretty good year so far, picking up 36 wickets in 18 matches at a decent economy of 5.62 and a strike rate of 23.9. The pacer picked up the first 5-for of his career this year against the West Indies at Bristol on the 24th of September.

Plunkett's ODI record in 2017

With good numbers in 2017, Plunkett makes the number 8 spot his own.

Rashid Khan

The 19-year-old leg break bowler from Afghanistan has made giant strides in 2017. Picking up 41 wickets in 15 matches, with best figures of 7/18, Rashid Khan has taken Afghanistan cricket to a whole new level.

He has an amazing bowling average of just 10.53, a strike rate of 15.9, and a miserly economy rate of 3.96. Khan has two fifers to his name this year.

Khan's ODI record in 2017

Khan comes in at number 9.

Hasan Ali

Having taken 45 wickets in 18 games so far, the pacer from Pakistan is the top wicket-taker in 2017. Ali has a brilliant average of 17.04, an economy of just over 5. He has three five-wicket hauls to his name this year.

With his easy-on-the-eye bowling action and his not-so-easy-to-face pace, Ali is carrying the legacy of Pakistani pace bowlers on his young shoulders.

Ali's ODI record in 2017

Ali has had a very good year and will open the bowling for my side.

Jasprit Bumrah

2017 has been a year to remember for Jasprit Bumrah. He has picked up 35 wickets in 20 matches for India so far, at an average of 26, an economy of 5.21, and a strike rate of 29.8. With excellent death-bowling abilities, Bumrah has been the go-to man for Virat Kohli in the death overs for India.