Former Australian national cricket team captain Michael Clarke has picked his all-time India-Australia Test combination XI of this century. What caught the attention of many was that he was not sure about picking MS Dhoni and kept him as an option along with Adam Gilchrist as the goalkeeper.
For the first few matches, Michael Clarke chose Virender Sehwag and Matthew Hayden. The two were arguably two of the fiercest players to play for the Indian National Cricket Team and the Australian National Cricket Team respectively. Both played a crucial role in their respective teams’ success during the opening.
Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar to bat at 3 and 4 in India-Australia combined Test XI
Ricky Ponting will bat at number 3 and it is fair to say that not many were better than him in the format. Known for his aggressive nature, the lead batsman was one of the main reasons behind the success of the Australian National Cricket Team in the longest format of the game.
Sachin Tendulkar will follow two openers, Sehwag and Hayden, and Ponting in Clarke’s team at 4. The big batsman was arguably one of the best players to have played this format. He finished Test cricket as the leading run-getter with 49 centuries while playing some glorious innings for the team.
Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are Nos. 5 and 6 in Michael Clarke’s India-Australia combined Test playing XI
Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are Nos. 5 and 6, respectively, in Clarke’s combined India-Australia Test playing XI of this century. Both Kohli and Smith are the backbone of the current Indian and Australian team and are facing each other in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
However, when it came time to choose a goalkeeper for the team, Clarke was confused about making the optional decision. If the team plays in Australia, Adam Gilchrist will be the wicketkeeper-batsman, and if the team plays in India, then MS Dhoni will take the gloves.
The late legendary Shane Warne was chosen by Michael Clarke as the team’s only spin specialist. The bowling great finished his career as the second leading wicket-taker in the Test format with 708 wickets to his name.
For the bowling attack, Clarke picked Glenn McGrath and Jasprit Bumrah. Ryan Harris was the third pacer included by the former Australian National Cricket Team pacer. He also named optional options for the 12th man of his combined team. He chose Mitchell Johnson if the team would play in Australia and Zaheer Khan if the team would play in India.
Michael Clarke picks his India-Australia combined Test with this century’s XI
Michael Clarke’s India-Australia Combined Test Playing XI of This Century
Virender Sehwag, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Adam Gilchrist/MS Dhoni, Shane Warne, Ryan Harris, Jasprit Bumrah, Glenn McGrath.
12th Man: Mitchell Johnson/Zaheer Khan
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