NEW DELHI: Former India star all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has unveiled his all-time playing XI, a lineup of iconic cricketers from various eras and countries, notably omitting his former captain MS Dhoni.
Yuvraj announced this decision after leading the India Champions to victory in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2024, where they defeated the Pakistan Champions by five wickets in the final.
Yuvraj highlighted his appreciation for exceptional talent across the cricketing world. As per an ANI report, Yuvraj’s all-time XI includes India's Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma as the only Indian players.
The complete lineup that Yuvraj Singh selected comprises Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Flintoff, Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Glenn McGrath.
Big names in the XI:
Sachin Tendulkar, often referred to as the 'God of Cricket,' boasts a record 18,426 runs in ODIs and 15,921 runs in Test cricket. Ricky Ponting, the former Australia captain, is celebrated for both his batting prowess and leadership. Virat Kohli, known as the 'Chasemaster,' has amassed 13,848 ODI runs and 8,848 Test runs.Adam Gilchrist, known for his aggressive batting and excellent wicketkeeping, played a crucial role in Australia’s three consecutive World Cup wins in 1999, 2003, and 2007.
The XI features legendary bowlers:
Wasim Akram and Glenn McGrath, who have over 900 wickets combined for Pakistan and Australia respectively.Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan, the leading wicket-takers in Test cricket history, with 708 and 800 wickets respectively, are also part of Yuvraj's side.
The biggest exclusion from Yuvraj’s XI is MS Dhoni, despite their long association and numerous achievements together, including the 2011 World Cup triumph. Dhoni is renowned for his leadership and finishing skills, having led India to multiple victories.
