Sportskeeda's ODI All-rounder of the Year 2015 - counting down from No. 10 to No. 1

The importance of all-rounders in limited overs cricket can never be over-emphasised. Good all-rounders who are formidable batsmen and can double up as brilliant bowlers are an asset to any team because they contribute well to the balance and composition of the team.It is quite taxing for a player to be able to perform consistently in both departments of the game which is why genuine all-rounders are a rare breed. Though there is a growing concern that good all-rounders are on the decline, statistics quite happily suggest otherwise at least for this year.Here are the top ODI 10 all-rounders for the year 2015.

#10 Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja could turn out to be the perfect No. 7 that India are looking for

Though India are still hunting for a permanent no. 7 in ODIs who can go on to be the genuine all-rounder, statistics suggest that Ravindra Jadeja has not done too badly this year. With 113 runs and 10 wickets in 2015, Jadeja remains the only Indian to make it to this list.

His form of late in Tests will surely do him more favour and the selectors will be ready to give him the long rope. But Jadeja still needs to contribute more heavily with the bat if he wants to make the no. 7 position in the Indian team permanently his.

#9 Shane Watson

Shane Watson is useful with the bat as well as the ball for the Aussies

Shane Watson's career in Tests might be over, but he is still a much-valued all-rounder in the limited-overs format of the game. Though he has definitely dropped a few yards in pace, he is still a bowler with the right amount of guile and can pick wickets at crucial intervals.

As a batsman, he is still much depended upon in ODIs and has the crucial experience to mentor the horde of promising younger talents in the Aussie dressing room. Having scored 336 runs at an average of 37.33 in 2015, Watson has shown that he can still do the job with the bat.

He has picked up only 4 wickets this year but remains a clever bowler who can contain batsmen whenever it is required.

#8 Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali has batted in multiple positions for England, and to good effec

Moeen Ali is a fair reflection of the young and dynamic breed of ambitious English cricketers who are now playing a more aggressive brand of cricket. The much-loved bearded wonder from Birmingham has been in top form over the last couple of years and unsurprisingly makes it to the list.

He has scored 376 runs at an average of 25.06 this year and has an impressive wickets tally of 23 to go with it. Moeen Ali has been successful in a variety of positions - be it in the opening slot or down the order - and banks on his aggressive stroke-play to score runs quickly.

#7 Mohammad Nabi

One of the reasons for Afghanistan’s rise has been the form of their captain, Nabi

The Afghanistan captain and senior statesman in the team, Mohammad Nabi has always been one of the greatest talents that the country has produced. With a solid batting technique and his more than effective off-break bowling, he has been one of the best all-rounders this year.

Nabi has scored 324 runs at an average of 23.14 and picked up 9 wickets this year. Batting at no. 3, he scored his maiden tons against Zimbabwe this year and powered his country to a win. He has gained reputation as a top notch all-rounder and is in much demand in T20 leagues around the world.

#6 James Faulkner

Although Faulkner was primarily a bowler, he has now grown into a reliable batsman

When Faulkner first burst onto the scene, he was a deadly left arm bowler who could have a swing when he came into bat. But he quickly became popular while playing in T20 leagues around the world, particularly the IPL, and worked on his batting.

He has now turned into one of the most formidable and dangerous batsmen in the world today. His penchant for excellent death bowling makes him a brilliant all-rounder. He has scored 144 runs at an average of 36 and picked up 16 wickets this year.

And most of the runs scored have come in quick time in the slog overs which makes him such a useful all-rounder for Australia now.

#5 Angelo Mathews

Mathews is one of the best all-rounders in world cricket now

With Sangakkara and Jayawardene having hung up their boots, Sri Lanka have truly found an exceptional cricketer and captain in Angelo Mathews. Mathews in many ways is a one of a kind cricketer.

He has a solid technique and can anchor the innings in the middle overs. He can turn it on and go for his shots if need be. And he is one of the most reliable bowlers in the Sri Lankan team now.

He has scored 421 runs at an average of 35.08 and picked up 15 wickets this year. Mathews simply has to be one of the best all-rounders that Sri Lanka has ever produced.

#4 Mohammad Hafeez

Hafeez has grown into reliable figure at the top of the Pakistan batting order

When most of the senior players in the Pakistani team have been shown the door, Mohammad Hafeez has managed to stay put because of his extraordinary form. Consistency has been the key to his success -- over the years, he has turned himself into a heavy run scorer who can be easily relied upon.

Hafeez has scored 782 runs at an average of 41.15 and picked up 7 wickets this year. Though he has scored two brilliant centuries against Sri Lanka and England this year, his performances with the bat have failed to achieve the success that he enjoyed the previous year. He, however, still remains one of the best all-rounders in the world right now.

#3 Glenn Maxwell

When Maxwell is at the crease, entertainment is guaranteed

Call him blitzkrieg. Or call him Mr. Destruction. Glenn Maxwell epitomises what it is like to take the wind out of the bowler's sails in no time. With crazy scoops and reverse sweeps that disappear into the air, it is almost impossible to bowl to him when he is on song.

Having scored 644 runs at a healthy average of 46 and picked up 19 wickets, Maxwell is one of the most dangerous all-rounders in the world today. And he has to be one of the purest entertainers that the game has ever seen.

#2 Tillakaratne Dilshan

Dilshan has been in brilliant form this year

With 395 runs scored, Tillakaratne Dilshan was 7th on the list of top scorers in the 2015 world cup. He had a brilliant tournament there and even though people suggested he should have retired after the world cup, he calmly chose to carry on because of his splendid run of form.

He has vindicated his decision by continuing to score heavily and has had a brilliant 2015. Dilshan has compiled 1100 runs at an average of 55 and picked up 11 wickets this year. He is certainly showing the cricketing world that if you are in form, age is just a number.

#1 Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib has been Bangladesh's best player in the last few years

For many years now, whenever we think of an all-rounder in the truest sense of the term, the name of Shakib Al Hasan first comes to the mind. Shakib has been in brilliant form for the last few years and has been the biggest reason behind Bangladesh's great consistency of late.

A brilliant middle-order batsman and one of the top left-arm spinners in the world today, Shakib has brought many laurels to his nation. Shakib has scored 421 runs at an average of 42.10 and picked up 24 wickets this year.

One of the most loved and iconic cricketers that Bangladesh has ever produced, one can really expect that Shakib has a lot more to give to his nation before he hangs up his boots.

For his continued excellence and impressive numbers, Shakib Al Hasan is Sportskeeda’s ODI All-rounder of the Year 2015.