What’s the next best solution? Assemble an XI from all the other XIs with the intention of challenging Rohit Sharma & Co in the best way possible.

It’s all hypothetical, but here goes:

Quinton de Kock

555 runs @ 69.37, SR: 111.22, 100s: 4, HS: 174

De Kock’s ODI swansong has been a run-filled delight. It’s by far his best World Cup edition, pumping all of his four World Cup hundreds this time around. It includes a record-smashing 174, this edition’s highest score until Glenn Maxwell’s 201*. Why is he retiring again?

David Warner

446 runs @ 55.75, SR: 108.25, 100s/50s: 2/1, HS: 163

In what is most certainly his final World Cup, Warner has put on a vintage show, coming close to matching his 2019 display. No Australian batter has scored more runs this time. His two hundreds set up big wins against Pakistan and Netherlands, while the 81 against New Zealand too set the tone for a big score.

Rachin Ravindra

565 runs @ 70.62, SR: 108.44, 100s/50s: 3/2 HS: 123*

Easily the find of the tournament. The leading run-getter at the time of writing, Ravindra has arrived in sensational fashion, pumping an unbeaten century in his first World Cup game, before cracking two other against Australia and Pakistan. The frontrunner for Player of the Tournament.

Aiden Markram

371 runs @ 53.00, SR: 118.15, 100s/50s: 1/3, HS: 106

A tough competition with Daryl Mitchell for the No.4 spot. Markram’s century against Sri Lanka headlined the 754-run Delhi run-fest. Three more fifties, including a game-changing and immensely crucial 91 in their nervy one-run win against Pakistan, confirm his place in this XI.

Heinrich Klaasen

316 runs @ 45.14, SR: 144.29, 100s/50s: 1/1, HS: 109

One of the finest finishers going around, Klaasen has been superb against spin in the middle overs, powering South Africa to their four 300+ scores this edition. The strike rate – 144.29 – is the second-highest among all players with at least 300 runs.

[caption id=”attachment_591517″ align=”alignnone” width=”2227″] Against Afghanistan, Glenn Maxwell played one of the greatest innings ever[/caption]

Glenn Maxwell

397 runs @ 79.40, SR: 152.69, 100s: 2, HS: 201*

He played the greatest ODI innings of all time on one leg. Before that, he hit the fastest World Cup century ever. Need we say more?

Marco Jansen

17 wickets @ 24.41, ER: 6.41, BBI: 3-31

Not express but effective, Jansen had taken at least two wickets every game until an off day against India. One of the best under-25 players of the tournament, and a key reason for South Africa’s semi-final berth.

Rashid Khan

9 wickets @ 39.00, ER: 4.58, BBI: 3-37

The numbers might not immediately suggest so, but Rashid has been quietly stifling in the middle overs, the economy rate just above 4.5. He is also Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker thus far.

Kagiso Rabada

12 wickets @ 26.91, ER: 4.83, BBI: 3-33

Bowling first or second change, Rabada has taken at least a wicket in each of the games so far. The economy rate has been the standout feature: after eight games, it’s below five.

Adam Zampa

20 wickets @ 19.20, ER: 5.56, BBI: 4-8

After two defeats, Zampa’s three four-fors brought Australia back into the tournament, fully realising his potential on pitches that suited his style. No other spinner has taken more wickets.

Dilshan Madushanka

21 wickets @ 25, ER: 6.70, BBI: 5-80

The lone bright spark in an otherwise dismal campaign, Madushanka has done serious damage in the powerplay. The ball to knock off Rohit Sharma will always remain special, and if he can repeat it for our hypothetical World XI, they might just stand a chance.

Numbers until the New Zealand v Sri Lanka league game on November 9.