CricTracker fans’ All-format XI of the year 2021

Unlike 2020, the year 2021 was an exhilarating one for cricketing fans all around the world. The sport offered many memorable moments and engaged the fans meticulously in such difficult pandemic situations.

Domestic matches, various leagues around the world, and International cricket entertained the audience throughout the year. Key ICC events such as the World Test Championship and the T20 World Cup were held in 2021.

The players have put in their unfeigned efforts to play their best for the teams though lingering their most of the time in bio-bubble conditions. Many existing players have excelled this year and some rookie players also stole the limelight. From poll results of the CT fans, the following XI has been picked as the best All-format XI of the year 2021.

Here is CricTracker Fans’ best all-format XI of 2021:

1. Rohit Sharma: India

The Indian limited-overs skipper Rohit Sharma, had a blissful 2021. He came back into the Test squad in 2021, after playing his last match in 2019 and now has cemented his opening spot firmly with 906 runs in 11 matches. On playing three ODIs, he has an average of 30. In T20Is, Rohit has five fifties in 11 matches and has an amazing average and strike rate of 38.54 and 150.88.

2. Mohammad Rizwan: Pakistan

This Pakistani wicket-keeping batter undoubtedly had his best career year yet. He played as many as 29 T20Is in 2021 and became the highest run-getter ever (1326 at an average of 73.66) in a calendar year. In 13 Test innings, he scored 455 runs at an average of 45.50, and also he recorded his maiden Test and T20I centuries. He played six ODI’s and hit 134 runs.

3. Babar Azam: Pakistan

The Pakistan skipper had a memorable 2021. He is currently on the top ratings of ICC ODI and T20I batting rankings. Babar Azam was the second-highest T20I run-getter of the year 2021 with 939 runs and has 405 runs in the six ODIs. He also clinched his highest T20I and ODI scores of 122 and 158 respectively. He played eight Test matches last year and hit 416 runs.

4. Joe Root: England

Joe Root, captain of the English red-ball team features on this list for his exuberant runs in this format. In 2021, he has played 15 Test matches and hit 1708 runs which include six centuries and two double hundreds. Root is the top-ranked batter in the ICC Test rankings. He got two innings to bat in the ODIs and went past fifty in both and scored 147 runs. He is inactive in T20Is since 2019.

5. Rishabh Pant: India

The Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant has been phenomenal in all the formats this year. His fearless batting skills have become a vital aspect of the team. He played 13 T20Is and averaged 30.42 at a strike rate of 125.29. In the two ODIs he participated in 2021, he hit 155 runs at a strike rate of 151.96. Pant’s vital contributions in the Test format also have been tremendous as he hit five fifties and a century and averaged 39.36.

6. Quinton de Kock: South Africa

Quinton de Kock was in stellar form last year. He played a total of 23 International matches and had an overall average and strike rate of 45.50 and 99.27. He hit two centuries and seven fifties in those matches and scored his highest Test score of 141*. De Kock as usual was effective in his wicket-keeping as well.

7. Ravindra Jadeja: India

This all-rounder won the maximum percentage of the votes of 93% and leads the contention as the best all-rounder. Jadeja played seven Test matches and five T20Is and scored 269 and 39 runs respectively. He played all the T20 WC matches for India and was the joint highest wicket-taker with 7 wickets at an economy of 5.94. In Tests, he grabbed 16 wickets in seven matches and did not feature in the ODIs.

8. Ravichandran Ashwin: India

The player whom we know as the best spinner in the longest format, surprisingly made his comeback in the shortest format and stamped his authority firmly. He played nine Tests and picked 54 wickets with an extraordinary average of 16.64 and also hit a century with the bat. After playing five T20Is, he took 9 wickets at an economy of 5.25.

9. Tim Southee: New Zealand

The veteran Kiwi bowler Tim Southee has been an integral part of New Zealand side. He took 22 wickets after playing five Tests which included two fifers. Southee featured in 17 T20I matches and picked 24 wickets with an economy of 7.26. He played a vital role in winning the World Test Championship and finishing second in the T20 World Cup. He also captained the team in absence of Kane Williamson.

10. Trent Boult: New Zealand

Another Kiwi bowler – Trent Boult features on this list surpassing the votes of Mustafizur Rahman. He played only three ODIs and Tests and took 5 and 16 wickets respectively. On playing 15 T20I matches, the left-arm pacer grabbed 23 wickets at an economy of 7.07. His ability to pick early wickets helped the team to take an upper hand.

11. Josh Hazlewood: Australia

Josh Hazlewood of Australia overtook the close poll contest against Shaheen Shah Afridi of Pakistan and features on this list with 61% of votes. Apart from excelling in the Tests, Hazlewood is now an all-format bowler who has proven to be effective. On playing 15 T20Is, he picked 23 wickets at an astonishing economy of 6.87 and was a key part of the T20 WC winning team. He has played two ODIs and three Tests and took five and 13 wickets respectively.