While in 2016, everybody was talking only about the Kohli-Smith-Root trio, there were many other significant and overlooked performers. However, 2017 won’t only be about the trio. Keeping in mind that 2017 is full of limited-over fixtures (More than 17 limited-over series and ICC Champions Trophy), here are 7 batsmen to watch out for in 2017!
(Disclaimer: The order of mention of the players does not signify any rankings or standings allotted to them)
VIRAT KOHLI (India):
Kohli’s inclusion in this list is a given and anybody who doubts it does anything but follows cricket.
This man is a run-machine! And he has the numbers to second this statement. The fact that he was named the Captain of the ICC ODI Team of the Year even when he doesn’t captain his nation in that format speaks volumes about this player’s caliber.
He scored 739 runs in the 10 ODIs he played this year with an average of 92.37. He also played a major role in carrying India to the semi-finals of World T20. He scored 641 runs in 15 T20s with a mammoth average of 106.83. He is currently the number 1 T20 batsman in the world.
Tests tell us no different story about this guy. Kohli smacked 1215 runs in 10 tests with an average of 75.39 and the highest score of 235. All of this while captaining his side to an 18-match unbeaten streak!
India should surely expect another record-breaking year from this man!
STEVE SMITH (Australia):
The skipper has been one of the most consistent players for the Aussies for quite a while now. This year was no different as he is going into 2017 as the number 1 Test Batsman.
Nobody can question his number 1 position as he scored a total of 1079 runs with an average of 71.93 in 11 Tests. He scored 4 tons as well.
Smith also had a decent ODI season with 1154 runs in 26 matches. His best of 164 off 157 balls came against New Zealand. His T20 figures weren’t that impressive this year as Smith couldn’t do anything significant. However, one can never undermine the ability of this man.
Expect a lot of runs and many scintillating catches from Smith this year!
JOE ROOT (England):
Widely regarded as the soon-to-be captain of the Barmy Army, Joe Root easily makes it to this list.
The leading run-scorer in Tests this year, Joe Root is growing as a batsman with each passing year. Root scored 1477 runs in 17 matches with a modest average of 49.23. His best in Tests was also his career best of 254 against Pakistan. He had a great ODI stint as well with 796 runs in 15 ODIs. His T20 performance can be termed decent, however England must have expected much more from Root in 2016.
With the Ashes scheduled in December 2017, Root will be the mainstay in batting for England.
QUINTON DE KOCK (South Africa):
Even with big names like DeVilliers, du Plessis and Amla in the side, Quinton de Kock managed to stand tall.
With 695 runs in just 8 matches at an average of 63.18 and 857 runs in 17 One-days at an average of 57.13, the future of Proteas is in safe hands.
De Kock has also been amazing behind the stumps with 34 and 16 dismissals in Tests and ODIs respectively. He was rightly named the ICC ODI Player of the Year 2016.
Being just 24 years old, de Kock has age on his side and we can expect big things not only in 2017 but for years to come from this glovesman.
KANE WILLIAMSON (New Zealand):
What we saw last year was anything but the best of Kane Williamson. The Kiwis’ skipper is hailed to be one of the most elegant batsmen by many legends of the game.
This year wasn’t that bad for Kane Williamson. In Tests, he scored 753 in 10 matches at an average of 47.06. His ODI record wasn’t as good as one would expect from the likes of him. However, he did have a good T20 stint with 383 runs at an average of 47.87.
Although last year was decent for him, one can expect a lot of runs from this guy in 2017!
DAVID WARNER (Australia):
One of the most aggressive openers the game has ever seen, David Warner has his beast mode on every time he comes out to bat.
With a lot of limited overs cricket coming up in this year, Warner is the man to watch out for. He scored a modest 748 runs in 11 Test matches. His best of 144 came off the 2nd Test against Pakistan.
He showed some explosive performances in ODIs with a total of 1388 runs at a good average of 63.09. His best in 2016 (an explosive 173 off just 136 balls) came in a losing cause against South Africa. He was good in T20s as well.
With the Champions Trophy nearing, expect Warner to play a key-role for the Kangaroos.
CARLOS BRATHWAITE (West Indies):
The man who etched his name in history by hitting four consecutive sixes to Ben Stokes in the World T20 2016 final, thus winning the World Cup for his team, is an underdog in this list. While most lists contain his more experienced team mates like Gayle or Bravo, Brathwaite made this list on the merit of his recent all-round performances.
He scored at an average of 60 in the two Tests he played. Also he has picked 18 wickets in 13 ODIs while also scoring some handy runs down the order.
Even though he lacks experience, how often can one say that he single-handedly changed the course of a World Cup Final in his team’s favor? Expect this player to be more mature and groomed this year and put up a good show of his skills.
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