All-rounders are a valuable asset to the team. They are the golden gems of cricket, capable of altering the course of a match with both bat and ball, often proving to be the decisive factor between victory and defeat. In ODIs, all-rounders hold a special significance, as they provide much-needed balance to a team’s lineup by offering a few handy overs and the ability to rescue the team from tough situations.
While there are numerous world-class all-rounders gracing ODI cricket today, there are also several underrated gems who are leaving a significant mark on the game. These players might not enjoy the same level of fame as some of their more illustrious counterparts, but they remain indispensable members of their respective teams.
In this article, we will shed light on some of the most underrated all-rounders in ODIs at the moment. These unsung heroes have been performing admirably for their teams, even though they are often pigeonholed as either bowlers or batters, rarely acknowledged as solid all-rounders.
Mitchell Santner
When discussing the most underrated all-rounders, Mitch Santner’s name inevitably rises to the top. He exhibits disciplined and controlled bowling in the powerplay and proves his mettle as a batsman in challenging situations. His recent performance against New Zealand was a standout, featuring a match-winning 5-wicket haul along with a crucial 36 runs from 17 balls. Santner exudes confidence in his game and excels as a fielder, regularly taking stunning catches to the delight of BlackCaps fans.
Bas de Leede
The 23-year-old Dutchman stands as the premier all-rounder of the Netherlands cricket team. De Leede boasts an average of 28.33 with the bat and 30.89 with the ball, impressive numbers for an all-rounder. Possessing a mature cricketing sense, he has established himself as one of the Netherlands’ finest. He follows in the footsteps of his father, Tim de Leede, who represented the Netherlands in 29 ODIs. An interesting tidbit about de Leede’s batting is his averages of 44 against Pakistan and 40 against England.
Mohammad Nabi
Dubbed “the president” by his teammates, Mohammad Nabi seems to have been part of international cricket for an eternity. The 38-year-old has notched up 3159 runs in 148 ODIs for Afghanistan, in addition to 159 wickets. He has been an exceptional leader for the Afghanistan cricket team during their developmental years, contributing significantly to the team’s competitiveness. Nabi’s all-round abilities have made him a sought-after player for franchise teams.
Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan has risen to international stardom as one of the most versatile cricketers. He excels in both bowling and batting and elevates his contribution with high-quality fielding. What sets Shadab Khan apart as a high-class all-rounder is his ability to perform under pressure for his team. He has frequently delivered for Pakistan with the bat during challenging moments and played a crucial role in providing breakthroughs in the middle overs. A smart bowler and a powerful hitter, he is a key asset to the team.
Marco Jansen
Standing nearly 2 meters tall, Marco Jansen opens the bowling for South Africa and utilizes his long levers to strike the ball powerfully when batting. Jansen is not just a slogger; he is a genuine batter who has already played several crucial innings in his 15-match ODI career. With a strike rate of 126 in ODIs, he has delivered impressive performances against England and Australia. His standout achievement includes a 5-wicket haul against Australia in September 2023.
The all-rounders featured in this article represent just a fraction of the many underrated talents currently gracing ODIs. These players possess the capability to make match-winning contributions with both bat and ball, often being the deciding factor for their teams. Additionally, their youth suggests the potential for further growth and improvement in the future.
