Title: Kohli Left Out of Hussain-Atherton’s Ind-Eng Playing XI for Tests
The game of cricket has always been a subject of debate and discussion, and picking the perfect playing XI is one of the most challenging tasks faced by fans and experts alike. Recently, former England skippers Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton took up this challenge by selecting their combined India-England playing XI of the 21st century in Test cricket. While they included some of the biggest names in the game, there were a few notable omissions that raised eyebrows.
Hussain and Atherton’s combined XI featured some of the most talented players to have graced the game, with a mix of Indian and English players. The batting lineup consisted of Virender Sehwag, Alastair Cook, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Kevin Pietersen, while the bowling attack was led by Stuart Broad, James Anderson, and Jasprit Bumrah. Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin were picked as the wicket-keeper and spinner respectively.
However, the most surprising aspect of the selection was the exclusion of two of the most dominant batsmen of the 21st century – Virat Kohli and Joe Root. Kohli, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, has been a force to be reckoned with in Test cricket, with an impressive average of over 53. He has scored over 7,000 runs in the format and has been a pillar of strength for the Indian team.
Root, on the other hand, has been a revelation for England in Test cricket. He has been one of the most consistent batsmen for the team, with an average of over 50. He has scored over 8,000 runs in the format and has been a key player in England’s success in recent years.
So, why were these two batsmen left out of the combined XI? According to Hussain and Atherton, the selection was based on a combination of factors, including the players’ overall impact on the game, their consistency, and their ability to adapt to different conditions.
In an interview with Sportskeeda, Hussain explained, “We looked at the overall impact of the players on the game. We looked at their ability to score runs, their ability to take wickets, and their ability to win matches. We also looked at their consistency and their ability to adapt to different conditions.”
Atherton added, “We also looked at the players’ personalities and their ability to lead from the front. We wanted a team that would be a good balance of experience and youth, and we wanted players who would be able to adapt to different conditions.”
While the selection of the combined XI was based on a combination of factors, it is hard to ignore the fact that Kohli and Root were left out. Both players have been dominant forces in Test cricket, and their exclusion from the team is a testament to the tough decisions that experts have to make when selecting a playing XI.
In conclusion, the selection of a combined India-England playing XI of the 21st century in Test cricket is a challenging task that requires a deep understanding of the game and its players. While Hussain and Atherton’s selection was impressive, the exclusion of Kohli and Root was a notable omission. However, the selection of the combined XI serves as a reminder of the importance of adapting to different conditions and the need for players to be able to adapt to different situations.
