Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Wednesday named captain of ICC’ ‘ODI Team of the Year’ but none of the Indian players found berth in governing body’s ‘Test Team of the Year’ led by Sri Lankan Angelo Mathews.
The ICC cricket committee headed by former India captain Anil Kumble on Wednesday announced the two teams consisting of 12 players each.
While 12-member ODI team for performance during 2014 had Dhoni as captain along with his Indian team deputy Virat Kohli and pacer Mohammed Shami in the XI, opener Rohit Sharma has been named as the 12th man.
The 12-member ‘ODI team’ comprises of four Indian players, three South African players, two Australians, one Pakistani, one Sri Lankan.
This is the seventh year in a row that Dhoni has made it to the ICC’s ‘ODI’ side while Dale Steyn made it to the ‘Test’ for the seventh year in succession.
However due to their 1-3 series defeat in England and 0-1 Test series loss to New Zealand earlier this year, the committee didn’t find any of the Indian cricketers worthy enough to make the cut in the ‘Test team’ of 2014.
The ‘Test team’ has two Australians, three New Zealanders, two from England, three Sri Lankans and two from South Africa.
The Chairman of the LG ICC Awards Selection Panel, Anil Kumble, said: “I would like to congratulate all the players for their selection in the teams of the year. It is an achievement to be proud of and a recognition for their good performances in the qualifying period.
“Team selection is one of the toughest jobs and when you have a large pool of outstanding players to select from in a 12—month period between 26 August 2013 and 17 September 2014, then it becomes even more difficult.”
Statistics were available as a guide but were not necessarily the overwhelming factor in the choices made.
ICC ODI Team of the Year 2014: (In batting order) Mohammad Hafeez, Quinton de Kock, Virat Kohli, George Bailey, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper) (captain), Dwayne Bravo, James Faulkner, Dale Steyn, Mohammad Shami, Ajantha Mendis, Rohit Sharma.
ICC Test Team of the Year 2014 (in batting order): David Warner, Kane Williamson, Kumar Sangakkara, AB de Villiers, Joe Root, Angelo Mathews (captain), Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Broad, Dale Steyn, Rangana Herath, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor (12th man).
