Top 5 unsung heroes of 2016

A glance at the history of cricket reveals many glorified names of players who shone right through their career, boasting huge records and mammoth individual scores. Many a times there is a story which statistics do not tell. Known as the supporting act, these valuable contributions are shadowed ones that rarely get attention.

An example that comes to mind is Hashim Amla's 150 in the match where AB de Villiers smacked the fastest ODI hundred. He made 144 off 49 balls and Amla, who made 153 after opening and batted through the innings, was a forgotten figure.

These are individual knocks and contributions. There are instances when a series of performances or a career in itself is overshadowed by another player. A huge example in that context is probably the contributions of Chaminda Vaas, which rarely gained attention due to the record-breaking career of Muttiah Muralitharan.

In a similar way, the 2016 year has been headlined by massive run fests by David Warner, Steven Smith and Quinton de Kock. Similarly, the bowling front has been highlighted by Josh Hazlewood, Ravichandran Ashwin and Rangana Herath. But there are a few names, that have remained in the shadows, despite contributing immensely for the team. Let us take a look at the underrated players in ODIs in 2016.

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#5 Jasprit Bumrah

The Indian seamer is this year's highest wicket taker in T20I with 28 wickets in 21 matches at 18.82 and a best of 3/11. Notably, his economy is 6.62, exceptional in the T20 format for a pacer who bowls mainly in the death overs.

Bumrah has been a terrific find for India in limited-overs cricket, with his ability to land the yorker perfectly, a secret he perfected with his Mumbai Indians teammate, Lasith Malinga, a yorker specialist.

He has been a prominent figure in ODIs too and has taken a total of 45 wickets in 29 matches across formats (ODIs and T20Is). His strike rate of 19.7 is the best among fast bowlers across formats with at least 30 wickets.

#4 Rashid Khan

The young leg-spinner from Afghanistan, Rashid Khan, has been another name largely unknown in International Cricket, despite his good performances for the nation. He showcased his talents during the World T20 in India. He has 17 wickets in 12 T20Is at an average of 13.41.

Rashid has 22 wickets in 12 matches in ODIs this year, being the seventh highest wicket taker in 2016. He has an average of 19.5 this year, compared to his overall average of 20.92. His best came against Ireland in Belfast when he picked up a career best 4/21.

Rashid has lived in the shadows of Afghanistan's celebrated duo of Dawlat Zadran and Mohammad Nabi. Yet his performances have made him the highest wicket-taker for Afghanistan in ODIs this year.

#3 Temba Bavuma

The diminutive South African has been a revelation this year with his sensational short-leg fielding and resilient batting at no.6. He has been South Africa's trump card lower down the order in Tests.

With AB missing out majority of the Tests, Bavuma has been a brick wall at 6, forming a formidable lower order pair with Quinton de Kock, who has stolen all the limelight with his terrific performances. But Bavuma has been nothing short of exceptional this year with 494 runs in 8 Tests at an average of 49.40 that includes a hundred and 3 half-centuries.

He debuted in the ODI team against Ireland and promptly made a hundred on debut but never got another chance on the ODI team. His run out of David Warner in the first Test at Perth was one of the highlights of the year.

#2 Jos Buttler

The rampant England wicket keeper has had a terrific year in England's new look ODI and T20I outfits. With aggression being the team's moto ever since the 2015 World Cup, Buttler was expected to be a key member in their plans.

Buttler smacked 573 runs in 16 ODIs at an average of 57.30 including one hundred and five fifties. What has been phenomenal is his strike rate this year. He has struck at 129.93 this year, and has 21 sixes to his name.

He has been equally impressive in T20Is, averaging 61 in 10 T20Is with a highest of 73*. He has struck 20 sixes in T20s this year and also made a much awaited Test return during the series against India. While Bairstow has been England's more celebrated keeper this year, Buttler has been smacking runs at will.

#1 Moeen Ali

The England off-spinning all-rounder started the year with heavy criticism about his better trait, batting. He silenced all his critics in 2016, contributing immensely with the bat in Tests. He has 838 runs in 15 Tests at an average of 44.10 that includes three hundreds and four fifties. His best was the 155* against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street.

He has been influential with the ball as well, picking up 34 wickets in 15 Tests with a best of 5/57. With Rashid among the top wicket takers of the year across formats, Ali has remained in the background despite contributing immensely in every series England played.

His hundreds against Lanka, Pakistan and India came when the team needed him the most. His off-spin has also been under utilitized by Alastair Cook inspite of his knack of getting key wickets. He is the 6th highest run scorer in Tests this year.