As the anticipation builds for the high-stakes Test series between England and India, two of England’s most respected cricket voices, Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, have stirred the pot by unveiling their all-time combined India-England Test XI of the 21st century. The selection, made just days before the first Test, has raised eyebrows for omitting some of the biggest modern icons.
Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton’s combined IND-ENG XI
Virender Sehwag and Alastair Cook named as openers
The two former England captains, in a chat at Sky Sports, unanimously picked India’s Virender Sehwag and England’s second highest Test run-scorer Alastair Cook to open the innings. Both players dominated bowling attacks in their prime and were instrumental in shaping their respective teams’ success in the 2000s and 2010s.
Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar strengthen the middle order
At No. 3, the indomitable Rahul Dravid got the nod, known for his resilience and match-saving knocks, especially in overseas conditions. Following him is the ‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar, a natural choice at No. 4. Tendulkar’s consistency across formats and his record in Test cricket made his inclusion inevitable.
Kevin Pietersen and Ben Stokes add flair and versatility
Kevin Pietersen was selected at No. 5, offering attacking firepower in the middle. At No. 6, England’s talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes finds his place, praised not just for his batting and bowling but also for his unmatched impact in crunch situations.
Rishabh Pant preferred over Dhoni as wicketkeeper
In a move that shocked many, Rishabh Pant was chosen over MS Dhoni for the wicketkeeping role. According to Hussain and Atherton, Pant’s fearless approach, especially in overseas Tests, gave him the edge for this aggressive and balanced XI. India’s Ravichandran Ashwin, with his record-breaking performances and ability to succeed in both home and away conditions, was the clear pick as the team’s sole spinner.
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James Anderson, Jasprit Bumrah and Stuart Broad form a lethal pace trio
The pace attack is a blend of experience and menace. England’s all-time great James Anderson pairs with fellow Englishman Stuart Broad, while India’s Jasprit Bumrah adds the modern-day X-factor. Together, they provide a formidable seam-bowling unit capable of thriving on any surface.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma omitted; six Indians, five Englishmen in final XI
Surprisingly, modern-day Indian greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma didn’t find a place in the XI, with the selectors favoring consistency over star power. MS Dhoni, too, was overlooked despite his success and leadership legacy. The final composition includes six Indian cricketers and five English players, underlining a balanced recognition of talent across both nations.
Combined India-England Test XI (since 2000) by Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton: Virender Sehwag (India), Alastair Cook (England), Rahul Dravid (India), Sachin Tendulkar (India), Kevin Pietersen (England), Ben Stokes (England), Rishabh Pant (India, wk), Ravichandran Ashwin (India), James Anderson (England), Jasprit Bumrah (India), Stuart Broad (England)
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