No Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma: Pat Cummins all-time India Australia ODI XI, Here’s why
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins has stirred up a fresh cricket debate after leaving Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma out of his all-time combined India-Australia ODI XI. The revelation came just days before the India-Australia ODI series, where Cummins—currently sidelined with a lower back injury—was asked by broadcasters to pick a dream team combining the best players from both nations. So let’s have a look about Pat Cummins all-time India Australia ODI XI.
Cummins’ Surprising Selection Criteria
The omission of two of India’s modern greats initially shocked fans worldwide. However, Cummins soon clarified that his selection was based only on retired players from both countries. This automatically ruled out active cricketers like Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and even himself from contention.
The Australian skipper’s XI leaned heavily toward Australian legends, though he did include three Indian greats — Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Zaheer Khan. Cummins stated that his picks were based on “legacy, match-winning impact, and consistency across eras.”
Pat Cummins’ Combined India-Australia ODI XI
His final XI featured:
David Warner, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, Shane Watson, Michael Bevan, MS Dhoni (wk), Brett Lee, Shane Warne, Zaheer Khan, and Glenn McGrath.
This lineup brought together a mix of destructive openers, solid middle-order anchors, and legendary bowlers who defined ODI cricket in their time.
Why No Kohli or Rohit Sharma?
While many fans called the decision controversial, Cummins stood by his reasoning. “It’s an all-time XI of past legends—not current players. Kohli and Rohit are modern greats, no doubt, but the idea was to celebrate retired icons,” Cummins said.
Virat Kohli, with over 13,000 ODI runs, and Rohit Sharma, the only man with three ODI double centuries, would have been automatic choices in a current-era XI. However, their omission highlights Cummins’ strict adherence to the selection brief rather than a reflection on their abilities.
Cummins’ Injury and Upcoming Series
Cummins continues his rehabilitation from a lower back injury sustained during Australia’s 3-0 loss to the West Indies earlier this year. He has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against India, with Mitchell Marsh taking over as captain.
Despite the controversy, Cummins’ picks have sparked massive fan discussions online, reigniting nostalgia for the golden eras of both nations. Whether fans agree or not, one thing is certain — this dream XI has everyone talking ahead of another high-voltage India-Australia showdown.
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