Not Sachin Tendulkar! Stuart Broad picks this legend as the only Indian in his final Test XI | Cricket news
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Stuart Broad calls the final XI his opponents’ Test for Wisden, choosing Virat Kohli over Sachin Tendulkar in a star-studded side that includes Smith, Kallis, Steyn and Muralitharan.
Stuart Broad rules out Sachin Tendulkar from his final Test XI
Former England all-rounder Stuart Broad has picked the final XI for the cricketers he has played against in his career. Wisden asked the right-arm fast bowler, who retired with 604 wickets in the longest format, to assemble the strongest line-up of opponents he has personally competed against. Interestingly, Broad chose Virat Kohli over Sachin Tendulkar in the lineup full of cross-generational heroes.
At the top of the order, Broad selected South African stalwart Graeme Smith, pairing him with Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara, who doubles as wicket-keeper. Australian great Ricky Ponting came third, while Virat Kohli was the only Indian listed. Notably, master spinner Sachin Tendulkar was a notable omission in the Broad Test all over the XI.
Broad admitted that the middle order gave him a lot to think about before finally settling on Steven Smith and Jacques Kallis at five and six. Kallis stands out as the only real player in the XI. AB de Villiers was fielded in the 7th over, resulting in a bat blast and an extra cover save.
Broad showed no hesitation when opting for a bowling attack. The pace unit is led by fearsome left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson alongside South African spinner Dale Steyn. Another Australian fast, Mitchell Starc, completes the fast bowling trio, while Sri Lankan icon Muttiah Muralitharan – the highest-paid bowler in Test history – has been named as the only bowler in the squad.
The XI reflects Broad’s first-hand experiences against elite opponents and offers a fascinating snapshot of the players who made the biggest impression on one of England’s finest bowlers.
Stuart Broad 11th Test: Graeme Smith, Kumar Sangakkara (WK), Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Mitchell Johnson, Dale Steyn, Muttiah Muralitharan, Mitchell Starc.
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