#ThatWas2018: Who all would feature in Test XI of 2018?
What's the story
2018 is coming to an end and we had some breathtaking moments in Test cricket throughout the year. Several cricketers upped the ante in the longest format this year. From individual records to complimenting teams through immense performances, cricketers had a big say. It was indeed difficult to pick the Test XI of 2018. However, we managed to decode the same.
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Kohli to lead the best Test XI of 2018
Indian captain, Virat Kohli is our choice to lead the best Test XI of 2018. The 30-year-old managed to amass the most number of runs in red-ball cricket this year. We have picked England skipper, Joe Root as his deputy.
Openers
A brilliant opening combination on offer
Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis produced a terrific show with the bat and was his side's best performer. He scored 962 runs in 12 Tests. Mendis struck three hundreds and three fifties. New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson led his side well and got some brilliant results. Kane moved up to number two in the ICC Test Rankings. He notched 651 runs in total.
Deadly duo
Root and Kohli the spine of the side
England's Joe Root defined his prowess with the bat and was monumental as captain in the series win against India and Sri Lanka. He fought his way back and scored 948 runs in 2018. He hit two centuries and six fifties. Kohli finished as the leading runs scorer this year (1,322). The Indian skipper hit five hundreds and was terrific away from home.
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Nicholls, Buttler had a breakthrough 2018
New Zealand's Henry Nicholls had a breakthrough year and his consistency is commendable. An average of 73.11 proves the same. Nicholls amassed three hundreds this year. England's Jos Buttler transformed his ODI form into Tests. He is the wicket-keeper of the side.
Bowlers
Lyon's consistency a strong feature, Indian pace duo lead attack
Australian spinner Nathan Lyon showed why he is a class act. Right from the 2017-18 Ashes, Lyon was on song. 49 wickets from 10 Tests justifies his role as the ace spinner of the side. Indian pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami feature next. The duo have picked 90 wickets between them and are set to end up with more.
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Rabada and Perera follow suit
Kagiso Rabada has been the leading wicket-taker (52) this year and has remained the number one bowler. With a terrific average of 20.07, Rabada led the way for everyone. Lankan spinner Dilruwan Perera's performance cannot be ignored. He claimed an astounding 50 scalps.