India-Australia combined XI: Dhoni fails to make the cut, as Ponting captains the side
We have all played this game as a kid, haven't we? Combining legends of different teams to come up with our fantasy XI. Ahead of the all-important clash at Mohali, we did the same for India and Australia, with a caveat*.
The team, however, is dominated by the Aussies as only few Indians make the cut, which is expected, considering Australia has featured in seven of the 11 ODI World Cup finals, winning five of them.
*Only the limited overs form and statistics have been taken into account.
Adam Gilchrist
ODIs – 287; Runs – 9619; Avg – 35.89; SR – 96.94; 100s/50s – 16/55
T20s – 13; Runs – 272; Avg – 22.66; SR – 141.66
Not many can keep MS Dhoni out of a combined XI like this, but sadly for the Indian skipper, he went up against the most destructive wicket-keeper batsman we have seen in the history of the game. On his day, he was capable of demolishing any bowling lineup and built a reputation of being one of the fiercest hitters of the cricket ball. Even at the twilight of his career, he was good enough to single-handedly guide the Deccan Chargers to their only IPL crown.
Sachin Tendulkar
ODIs – 463; Runs – 18426; Avg – 44.83; SR – 86.23; 100s/50s – 49/96; Wickets – 154
The greatest limited overs batsman ever, and he has the statistics to show for it. His numbers are incredible, unlikely to be overtaken anytime soon, and he always produced his best against the Australians. Apart from his mastery of the bat, Sachin was a pretty useful bowler as well – picking up 154 wickets along the way.
By the time T20 arrived in the world of cricket, he was already at the fag end of his career, and made just one appearance for his country in the shortest format of the game – although he did score 2797 runs in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians.
Ricky Ponting (Captain)
ODIs – 375; Runs – 13704; Avg – 42.03; SR – 80.39; 100s/50s – 30/82
T20s – 17; Runs – 401; Avg – 28.64; SR – 132.78
He is the third highest run-scorer of all time, and at one time he looked the most likely to break Sachin's record of centuries. Add to that, he is one of the best fielders we have seen, guiding the Australian team to two consecutive World Cup wins. He is the perfect number three for this side, someone who is capable of both anchoring or accelerating, as and when the situation demands.
Virat Kohli
ODIs – 171; Runs – 7212; Avg – 51.51; SR – 89.97; 100s/50s – 25/36
T20s – 41; Runs – 1470; Avg – 52.50; SR – 131.72
Sir Donald Bradman did not play limited overs cricket, so we have Virat Kohli. The Indian Test skipper is 27-year-old, and he already has 25 centuries to his name – stunning numbers for a middle-order batsman. He especially comes to life when chasing. Virat is also not shy of taking on opponents on the field verbally or otherwise – would fit very well into a side with so many Australians.
Michael Hussey
ODIs – 185; Runs – 5442; Avg – 48.15; SR – 87.16; 100s/50s – 3/39
T20s – 38; Runs – 721; Avg – 37.94; SR – 136.29
A relatively latecomer in the Australian team, Michael Hussey went on to establish himself as one of the best limited overs batsmen to have arrived from Down Under, earning himself the nickname of Mr. Cricket. His innings of 60 runs, off just 24 balls, in the World T20 semi-final against Pakistan is stuff legends are made of. Huss' ability to change gears in the blink of an eye, strengthens this middle-order, and to add to that he was a fine fielder as well.
ODIs – 232; Runs – 6912; Avg – 53.58; SR – 74.16; 100s/50s – 6/46; Wickets – 36
Many consider him to be the best finisher we have seen in limited overs cricket. Bevan had the special ability to form partnerships with the lower-order batsmen and tail-enders and take his team home, when least expected. With Kohli, Hussey and Bevan – this could be the most efficient run-chasing middle-order ever seen. Bevo could also roll over his arms for a couple of overs if required.
Kapil Dev
ODIs – 225; Wickets – 253; Econ – 3.71; Avg – 27.45; Runs – 3783; Avg – 23.79; SR – 95.07; 100s/50s – 1/14
There can never be too many World Cup winning captains in a team, specially when he is the best all-rounder(and the only?) India has ever produced. Kapil Paaji adds that Haryanvi flavor to an Aussie dominated bowling lineup. The former Indian skipper also had a mean swing of the bat, and if the illustrious top and middle order in this lineup fails, you can always call upon Kapil Dev, to repeat his stunning innings against Zimbabwe.
Shane Warne
ODIs – 194; Wickets – 293; Econ – 4.25; Avg – 25.73
He is the best spinner to have graced this game, and his ability to spin the ball on any surface makes him one of the most consistent bowlers of all time. Growing up, his rivalry with Sachin Tendulkar was perhaps the biggest draw for most of us, and for once they will be playing for the same team. He was also a reliable slip-fielder, and in case there is any lack of leadership in the side, he is more than capable of stepping up – as many regard him the best captain Australian never had. The leggie also showed how quickly he can adapt to any format of the game, when he guided the Rajasthan Royals to a thrilling win in the inaugural campaign of the IPL.
Brett Lee
ODIs – 221; Wickets – 380; Econ – 4.76; Avg – 23.36
T20s – 25; Wickets – 28; Econ – 7.86; Avg – 25.50
For some, specially those who have not witnessed him in his prime, the fact that Brett Lee is the second highest ODI wicket-taker for Australia, just one behind Glenn McGrath and in 29 fewer matches, might come as a surprise. One of the fastest bowlers Australia has produced, Brett Lee at times went for a few extra runs, but he always picked up the wickets to make up for it.
Dennis Lillee
ODIs – 63; Wickets – 103; Econ – 3.58; Avg – 20.82
Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson formed one of the most feared fast bowling combinations in Test cricket, however the former had a much better record in ODIs than his partner. The 66-year-old has also had a long-standing relationship with India, through the MRF Pace Foundation. Apart from his dexterity with the ball, Lillee was also the proud owner of an aluminum bat, which is a strong reason in itself for him to find a place in the team.
Glenn McGrath
ODIs – 250; Wickets – 381; Econ – 3.88; Avg – 22.02
One of the greatest bowlers in the history of the game, across all formats. The Pigeon could land a ball on a coin for six deliveries in a row if he wanted to, such was his accuracy with line and length. Add to that, he also had the ability to swing the ball both ways. He did not play too many T20I matches in his career, but his performance against England, at Southampton in 2005, showed exactly how successful he could have been in this format.
( Half-time report of India-Australia at Mohali)