Picking the best right-handed ODI playing 11 of the 21st century ft. Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni

Since its inception in 1971, the ODI format has produced some exceptionally talented cricketers both in the batting and bowling department. The initial years were dominated by the West Indies, who won the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979 held in England. The Caribbean side also reached the final in 1983, but were stunned by underdogs India at the iconic Lord's stadium.

India's unexpected triumph in 1983 marked a paradigm shift in cricket's world order, signaling the beginning of BCCI's dominance in the game. The 1980s saw Australia's rise as they lifted the 1987 World Cup in the sub-continent. No other team has dominated the format like the Aussies since then.

Right-handed cricketers have played a pivotal role in the success of their respective teams in white-ball cricket. On that note, we try and undertake the unenviable task of putting together the best right-handed ODI playing 11 of the 21st century.

(Note: All stats starting January 1, 2001)

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Openers: Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Team India's current skipper Rohit Sharma and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar would open the innings in the best right-handed ODI playing 11 of the 21st century. Further, Australian great Ricky Ponting would be the No. 3 batter in the team.

Starting 2011, Rohit has opened the batting in 176 innings in the one-day format and has amassed 8,836 runs at an average of 55.57 and a strike rate of 95.99, with 29 hundreds and 44 half-centuries. The Hitman has slammed three double hundreds, which includes a best of 264, which is an ODI record.

Tendulkar opened the batting in 169 innings from 2001 to 2012, scoring 7,737 runs at an average of 49.59 and a strike rate of 86.50, with 19 tons and 42 fifties to his credit. He holds the record for being the first batter to slam a double ton in Men's ODIs and is considered by many as the greatest to have played the format. Tendulkar could also chip in with the ball and pick up crucial wickets.

Ponting played 260 one-day innings from 2001 to 2012 and amassed 9,986 runs at an average of 42.85 and a strike rate of 83.81, with 24 centuries and 62 half-centuries. Ponting was the captain of the Australian team that won the 2003 and 2007 ODI World Cups. The right-hander was Player of the Match for his 140 off 121 balls in the 2003 World Cup final against India in Johannesburg.

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Middle-order & all-rounders: Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Shahid Afridi

South African batting great AB de Villiers (Image Credits: Getty Images)

The dynamic batting duo of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers would be key figures in the middle-order in the best right-handed ODI playing 11 of the 21st century. Kohli is the leading run-getter in one-dayers in the 21st century. In 283 innings from 2008 to 2024, he has amassed 13,906 runs at an average of 58.18 and a strike rate of 93.54, with a record 50 tons and 72 half-centuries.

Looking at De Villiers' stats, he played 218 innings from 2005 to 2018, scoring 9,577 runs at an average of 53.50 and an excellent strike rate of 101.09, with the aid of 25 centuries and 53 fifties. He could also keep wickets if needed and was renowned for his fielding ability as well.

De Villiers' former Proteas teammate Jacques Kallis would be the main all-rounder in the best right-handed ODI playing 11 of the 21st century. In 201 innings from 2001 to 2014, he scored 7,729 runs at an average of 45.73, with 12 tons and 59 half-centuries. His strike rate of 75.74 was decent for the era he played in. With the ball, Kallis claimed 171 scalps, averaging 32.85 at an economy rate of 4.94.

Indian legend MS Dhoni would be the keeper-batter, finisher and captain of the best right-handed ODI playing 11 of the 21st century. From 2004 to 2019, Dhoni amassed 10,773 runs from 297 innings at an average of 50.57 and a strike rate of 87.56, with 10 tons and 73 fifties. Apart from winning numerous matches with the bat, Dhoni also led India to victory in three ICC events, including two World Cups.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi would be the floater in the batting order as well as the fifth bowler. He was not consistent with the willow, but was extremely dangerous on day. In 253 innings from 2001 to 2015, he smashed 5,391 runs at a strike rate of 129.31. Afridi was an underrated leg-spinner, who claimed 317 scalps at an economy rate of 4.60, with as many as eight five-fers to his credit.

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Bowlers: Brett Lee, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan

Sri Lanka's Mutiah Muralitharan (middle) celebrates a wicket (Image Credits: Getty Images)

Brett Lee and Lasith Malinga would form a deadly duo as the opening bowlers in the best right-handed ODI playing 11 of the 21st century, while Sri Lanka's off-spinner genius Muttiah Muralitharan would be the main slow bowler.

From 2001 to 2012, Lee claimed 346 wickets in 198 innings, averaging 23.46 at an economy rate of 4.80, with eight five-fers. As for Sri Lanka's slinger Malinga, he picked up 338 scalps in 220 innings at an average of 28.87 and an economy rate of 5.35, with eight five-fers.

Finally, looking at Muralitharan's stats, the Sri Lankan great took 323 wickets in 194 innings at an average of 21.01 and an exceptional economy rate of 3.83, with the aid of six five-wicket hauls. His stats prove that batters found it extremely difficult to get him away.