Top 5 cricketers and their New Year's resolutions

Another exciting and fascinating year for cricket has come to an end. And with each passing year, it seems as if the game is growing in popularity.

2018 saw an increase in the spectator count when it came to Test cricket. For a while now the longest format has been brushed off as a dinosaur fossil for the present generation. However, for some, representing their country in Tests remains the ultimate goal.

ODIs and T20Is were no different as the players involved kept finding various ways to impress the viewers. The overall competitiveness has increased, which is a healthy sign for the gentleman's game heading into 2019.

A lot of credit for that must go to the present superstars of the game who play a key role in inspiring the youth. Be it Virat Kohli, Joe Root or Dale Steyn, each of them has something unique which fascinates spectators all over the world. It's a no-brainer that these superstars would have a major role to play in 2019 as well.

Having established this, let us now look at five superstars of the game and their ideal New Year's resolutions for 2019.

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5. Dale Steyn

Resolution: Stay match-fit at all costs

The perfect idol for budding fast bowlers, Dale Steyn had a rather disappointing 2018 as he spent most of it on the sidelines. His bowling action is what any aspiring fast bowler yearns for; it's quite a sight to watch the legend at play when he's in his full rhythm.

He spent most of 2017 and nearly half of 2018 on the sidelines owing to his injuries. Steyn has now recovered and seems back to his best, bowling at an excess of 140+.

While a fast bowler's career is always susceptible to be riddled with injuries, a world-class bowler like Steyn is expected to keep full fitness at all times. Come 2019, Steyn's resolution should be to be at top fitness levels in these last stages of his career.

4. Steve Smith

Resolution: Avoid being involved in any sort of controversy

Steve Smith

Let's just face it; 2018 has not been Steve Smith's year. He has had to sit out with a dejected face ever since the Newlands Test. The infamous ball-tampering saga has kept the former No. 1 Test batsman out for a long time now.

The Newlands saga saw Smith and his companion, David Warner, being handed bans for a year each. But this was not even the first time that Smith was involved in a controversy.

Smith is known to be a talker in the middle and can get into the minds of the opposition with his attacking approach towards the game. Smith was also involved in a 'brain-fade' moment when Australia toured India back in 2017, where he sought help from the dressing room before deciding whether to opt for DRS.

Relative to his age, Smith has had a fair share of controversies so far and the 29-year-old will look to avoid being involved in any sort of controversy in 2019.

3. Joe Root

Resolution: Improve his conversion rate

We hope to see more of this from Joe Root in 2019.

England's Test skipper Joe Root has got some serious potential. He has impeccable technique, tremendous patience and fantastic temperament, and can truly compete for the No. 1 Test batsman ranking.

The only thing that separates Virat Kohli and Root is their conversion rates. Once Kohli crosses the fifty-run mark, he more often than not ends up scoring a ton. Unfortunately, that's not the case with his English counterpart.

We have seen Root getting out in the 70s or 80s far too often, frequently missing out on a well-deserved ton. This poor conversion rate is doing no justice to the attributes of a class batsman like him.

Root's conversion rate in the 115 innings (ODIs) that he has played is 30.95, which is not at all the number anyone would like to associate with him. In Tests too the number isn't very impressive, standing at a meager 25.

In 2019, fans would like to see Root 2.0 with a much better conversion rate.

2. Kane Williamson

Resolution: Help New Zealand lift the ICC World Cup 2019

Williamson was this close to the IPL trophy, and now will look to get his hands on grandest trophy of all

If there's one thing that's common between New Zealand and South Africa, it's the tag of 'chokers' that has been bestowed upon them over the years owing to their lackluster performances in knockout matches. New Zealand haven't been too great in pressure situations; they more or less 'choke' under the weight of heavy expectations.

However, with an experienced skipper and a world-class batsman in Kane Williamson, New Zealand would start as one of the favorites for the World Cup in 2019. After narrowly missing out on the IPL trophy last year, Williamson will be hungry as ever to add to his trophy cabinet.

The Kiwis have a world class bowling attack and an experienced batting line-up, and that should help Williamson fulfill his dream and achieve his biggest milestone till date.

New Zealand deserve some gold. And in 2019, Williamson will be a man on a mission.

1. Virat Kohli

Resolution: To break Kumar Sangakkara's record for most runs in a calendar year

He might just shatter another record

If there's one thing that Virat Kohli can surely achieve in the coming year, it has to be the record of most international runs in a calendar year. The record lies with Kumar Sangakkara at the moment; the Sri Lankan legend amassed as many as 2868 runs back in 2014.

Kohli did come close this year with 2818 runs; as a matter of fact, the Indian stalwart broke his own record that he set in 2017. With the Indian skipper only getting better with every match that he plays, he will fancy his chances to break this coveted record.

Kohli has been in sublime form ever since he took over as India's captain in all three formats of the game. And for a player of his caliber, 2869 runs in an international year should achievable.

With Kohli seemingly intent on continuing his purple patch in 2019, we can expect to see the No. 1 Test batsman in the world shattering numerous batting records.