Virat Kohli is the best batter in the world, says Shikhar Dhawan as he picks dream ODI XI

India’s veteran batter Shikhar Dhawan has tipped Virat Kohli as the best batter in the world and picked his former Delhi teammate as the number one pick in his dream ODI XI for the upcoming World Cup. Kohli has been performing consistently, especially in the ODI format and he is going to hold the key for the Indian team in the showpiece event.

Virat Kohli batted at number three and scored 443 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 55.38 in the 2019 World Cup. The linchpin has amassed 12898 runs in 275 ODI matches at an average of 57.32 and he is regarded as one of the best ODI batters of all time.

Dhawan also picked Rohit Sharma as the number two pick in his dream team. Rohit Sharma top-scored in the tournament with 648 runs in nine matches at an average of 81 in the previous edition of the World Cup.

“The first (picked) is Virat of course. He is the best batter in the world and has been scoring runs like crazy. Rohit is a very experienced customer. e has scored lots of runs in ICC tournaments and bilateral (series) and he’s a proven player (on the big stage),” said Dhawan speaking on ICC Review.

Dhawan then picked Rashid Khan and Mitchell Starc as the two overseas players in his team. The left-hander feels Khan is going to be impactful in the Indian conditions whereas Starc has been a consistent performer in World Cup events.

“I’ll go for Mitchell Starc as he is one of the best fast bowlers (in the world). The fourth player will be Rashid Khan with his mystery action. I am sure he’ll be very, very impactful (in India) and will take lots of wickets,” said Dhawan.

Dhawan picked South Africa’s gun fast bowler Kagiso Rabada as the fifth player in his team. Rabada has scalped 13 wickets in seven matches he has played in the Indian conditions.

“Shaheen Afridi I wouldn’t take because then there would be two left-arm pacers, so I’ll go for Rabada. Rabada has that extra pace and extra bounce that is going to rush the batters,” concluded Dhawan.

India will begin their World Cup campaign against Australia in Chennai on 8th October.