With no cricket due to the ongoing lockdown owing the coronavirus pandemic, cricketers across the globe are a lot active on social media. They are pouring their heart out speaking to teammates and colleagues and other media outlets. Recently, Australia limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch named his all-time India-Australia XI during one such conversation.
The rivalry between India and Australia dates back to long. They have produced some of the most exciting games inside the cricket pitches. Also, both the sides have a rich history of producing some of the most talented cricketers. So picking a combined XI is not an easy job and Aaron Finch made some startling choices.
Aaron Finch picks all-time India-Australia XI
The swashbuckling Aussie opener snubbed the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma in his team. Instead, Aaron Finch went with Virender Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist as openers in the all-time India-Australia XI. Finch admitted that he thought of Rohit once but was keen to see to Sehwag and Gilchrist pair up.
“Sehwag is my number one pick. He was so dominant. As soon he was on, the game was over. I want to go with Rohit Sharma, his record is amazing, but I want to watch Adam Gilchrist open with Virender Sehwag, hence I would pick Gilchrist,” Finch said to SportsTak.
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting and the talismanic Virat Kohli will form the middle-order while all-rounder Hardik Pandya will walk in at No. 5. While there is no dearth of talent in Pandya but one may question his entry in an all-time XI considering he has played only a few international games.
While Hardik finds a place as the fast bowling all-rounder, Andrew Symonds is the spin-bowling all-rounder. Former India skipper MS Dhoni is the wicket-keeper batsman while Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, and Jasprit Bumrah will complete the pace attack. However, Finch struggled to decide on a spinner and left that spot open.
Aaron Finch all-time India-Australia XI:
Virender Sehwag, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Andrew Symonds, MS Dhoni, Brett Lee, (Undecided spin bowling option), Glenn McGrath and Jasprit Bumrah