On Tuesday, Rohit Sharma was appointed as the captain of the ICC ODI Team of the Year, a lineup that featured five other Indian cricketers, including Virat Kohli and the pace duo of Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj.
The team predominantly comprised players from the World Cup finalists, India (runner-up), and Australia (winner), along with representatives from semi-finalists New Zealand and South Africa, as per the ICC statement.
The top order featured openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Rohit, the Indian captain, amassed 1,255 runs with an average of 52 in the previous year. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill stood out with a brilliant 208 against New Zealand and ended as the highest run-scorer in ODIs with 1,584 runs.
Travis Head secured the number three spot after delivering consistent performances throughout the year, notably contributing with a highlight of 137 in the World Cup final.
The middle order included Indian cricket stalwart Virat Kohli, followed by Daryl Mitchell, Heinrich Klaasen, and Marco Jansen. Kohli emerged as the second-highest run-scorer in ODIs for the year (1,337 runs) and achieved six centuries, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record of most international tons. Kohli was also honored with the Player of the Tournament award during the World Cup.
Mitchell showcased an impressive year with five centuries and 1,204 runs at an average of 52.34 and a strike rate of 100.24. Klaasen's standout performance included a match-winning 174 against Australia in Centurion.
The bowling attack comprised Australian Adam Zampa, along with the Indian trio of Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Shami. Zampa claimed 38 wickets at an average of 26.31, securing a four-for in three successive World Cup fixtures and finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
Siraj's notable performance included 44 wickets in the year, with a highlight of six for 21 against Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup final. Kuldeep Yadav captured 49 ODI wickets, achieving his best figures of five for 25 against Pakistan during the Asia Cup's Super-Four stage. Shami had a dominant year, securing four fifers, with his best figures being seven for 57 against New Zealand during the World Cup semi-final in Mumbai.
Notably, no Indian player found a place in the ICC's women's team of the year.
(With Agency Inputs)
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