Countdown to the 2016 Sportskeeda cricketer of the year: Virat Kohli reigns supreme

#2 Joe Root

The lynchpin of English batting

The English vice-captain just continued his stellar form into the year and then made sure that it is not wasted at any point.

Walking out to bat at number 3 in all the formats, Root has made the spot his own and has established himself as the premier batsman in the side.

The Yorkshire lad is also earmarked to assume leadership of the side sooner rather than later.

"I think Joe Root is ready to captain England," Alastair Cook said following England's innings-and-36-run defeat in Mumbai which also handed India the series.

He was superb against both the white and the red ball, and his tremendous ability to adapt and change his game according to the conditions makes him an asset England cricket would cherish for a long time to come.