Teams of the Decade (2010 - 2019)

An ICC panel consisting the likes of Shaun Pollock, Simon Doull and Lisa Sthalekar brainstormed to come up with the Teams of the Decade. Obviously, fans don't completely agree with the selection committee. So I'm trying my hand at forming the Teams of the Decade but first, let me set some parameters.

Because it is a the Team of the "Decade", I will need a player to play for at least 5 years in between 2010 and 2019. So players debuting during or after 2016 like KL Rahul, Babar Azam and Shai Hope miss out. I will only be looking at international performances and consistency and not first class or other leagues. Surprisingly, loads of players have horrible international records though they are the superstars of the teams they play for in domestic leagues. Though statistics are a great tool for analyzing different players, there is a definite qualitative object that cannot be free from bias. So this is just my opinion, which you do not need to agree with.

Also as a bonus (I was bored, honestly), I've also included an IPL XI of the Decade. The four foreigner rule applies, along with the aforementioned ones.

I will also be naming three players who were very close to making the cut. Do drop down in the comments, who you think should have made the team.

Test XI

1) Hashim Amla - A terrific opener and the one with the highest average this decade, he is often overlooked though his consistency had been outstanding

2) David Warner - Another amazing opener with a pretty good average and he also satisfies the right hand-left hand combination

3) Kane Williamson (C) - Part of the Fab Four and a very elegant batsmen and probably the nicest human, he makes into the team as captain

4) Virat Kohli - The cricketer of the decade with tons and tons of runs world over, it's practically a no brainer to have him in the team

5) Steve Smith - Arguably the best batsman in tests this decade and with stellar records to his name, he walks into the team with ease

6) AB de Villiers - A middle order batsman with an average of more than 50 and numerous gritty innings seals his place in the team

7) Kumar Sangakkara (WK) - A legend of the game who was in spectacular form for the first part of the decade

8) R Ashwin - A brilliant spinner whose carrom ball bamboozles batsmen world wide and his handy batting down the order doesn't hurt either

9) Dale Steyn - Dominating the rankings for almost half the decade and with a terrific strike rate to boot, it's pretty obvious he's one of the new ball bowlers

10) Stuart Broad - One of England's best ever bowlers and making bunnies out of prolific batsmen, it makes sense to have him in the bowling unit

11) James Anderson - The King of Swing and the highest wicket taker of the decade will definitely open the bowling in this XI

Others: Alastair Cook, Joe Root, Nathan Lyon

---

ODI XI

1) Rohit Sharma - Definitely the most prolific opener this decade, his three double centuries speak for him

2) Hashim Amla - Again overlooked though his consistency and records in ODI cricket are nothing short of top class

3) Virat Kohli - By far the best ODI batsman of the decade, he has racked up the milestones with ease

4) Ross Taylor - A very long career with an eye catching average, he is a solid option for any middle order

5) AB de Villiers - Again a middle order batsman averaging 50 is quite rare, coupled with the plethora of shots he can play, he is definitely one of a kind

6) Shakib al Hasan - Probably the best all rounder this decade, he has always been dependable with both bat and ball

7) MS Dhoni (C) (WK) - Hands down the best captain and wicket keeper ever in white ball, there is no way he can be looked over for the role of the finisher

8) Mitchell Starc - The highest wicket taker in World Cups this decade and a brilliant left arm seamer, it's pretty easy to hand him the new ball

9) Trent Boult - Another left arm pacer who has impressed this decade, he has been vital to his team's successes

10) Imran Tahir - One of the best spinners this decade and he has been excellent in the difficult African pitches

11) Lasith Malinga - An iconic bowler with and iconic action, he is definitely a go-to in white ball

Others: Joe Root, David Warner, Kumar Sangakkara

---

T20I XI

1) Chris Gayle - The GOAT when it comes to T20s, he is definitely in the team of the decade

2) Rohit Sharma - With four centuries and loads of runs to his name, he is arguably one of the best ever openers in white ball

3) Aaron Finch - Often overlooked for some reason, his T20I records are better than most

4) Virat Kohli - The Run Machine and a batsman who can change gears at will is a valuable asset to have in any team

5) Glenn Maxwell - Arguably the best middle order batsman in T20Is this decade, his numbers, just like his shots, are simply dazzling

6) Shane Watson - A brilliant all rounder, who is somehow often ignored, he has had a brilliant career with both bat and ball

7) MS Dhoni (C) (WK) - Hands down the best captain and wicket keeper ever in white ball, there is no way he can be looked over for the role of the finisher

8) Rashid Khan - The young spinner has been outstanding in the latter half of the decade, impressing ever since his debut

9) Mitchell Starc - An amazing left arm pacer who has always gotten amazing returns, he makes it to the team as the opening bowler

10) Imran Tahir - Another brilliant spinner who is often not in the spotlight, his numbers rival the best in the business

11) Lasith Malinga - It would be a crime not to include him in any T20I XI ever

Others: Brendon McCullum, JP Duminy, David Warner

---

IPL XI

1) Chris Gayle - Does he really require an explanation?

2) Rohit Sharma - One of India's finest openers ever, he has dominated the tournament with his bat

3) Suresh Raina - Undoubtedly India's own T20 superstar and a very reliable southpaw

4) Virat Kohli - The highest run scorer of the tournament definitely brings a lot of stability to the middle order

5) AB de Villiers - Mr.360 is always the dependable and fantastic middle order batsman

6) MS Dhoni (C) (WK) - Arguably the best finisher in the business, no other wicket keeper comes close to Thala

7) Dwayne Bravo - A fast bowler who has been an integral part of his team forever, his death bowling abilities assure him a place in this XI

8) Bhuvaneshwar Kumar - One of the finest with the new ball and a couple of Purple Caps to boot, he is definitely opening the bowling

9) Harbhajan Singh - His stint with the most successful team proved to be amazing as he scalped wickets with ease

10) Amit Mishra - A veteran with loads of experience, he has always been his captain's go to in times of crisis

11) Lasith Malinga - The leading wicket taker of the tournament definitely has a spot in this playing XI

Others: David Warner, Gautham Gambhir, Piyush Chawla