Top News

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins recently sparked a massive debate among fans by revealing his all-time combined India-Australia XI. The selection exercise a dream challenge for any cricket aficionado produced a superstar lineup but notably excluded modern Indian giants like Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma and pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah. This bold choice highlights the difficulty in comparing eras and formats placing a clear emphasis on historical Test dominance. Cummins unveiled his ultimate eleven during a public appearance a side packed with legends from both countries yet heavily leaning toward Australian cricketing history. The exclusion of Kohli one of the most prolific run-scorers and dominant figures of the 21st century immediately became the talking point. The Australian captain seemed to favor players whose careers spanned longer periods of sustained Test supremacy. #PatCummins crafts his all-time AUS vs IND XI handpicking the finest stars from past! Share your ultimate playing XI in the comments using today’s stars! ⚡#AUSvIND | 1st ODI | SUN 19th OCT 8 AM on Star Sports Network & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/3KVZ7Ygtd7 — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 15 2025 Why Modern Indian Stars Missed Out The omission of Virat Kohli despite his extraordinary records in both Australia and India suggests Cummins prioritized the consistent long-form impact of his Australian middle-order selections Rohit Sharma Indias current all-format captain and a modern master of the opening slot was also bypassed. The absence of Jasprit Bumrah arguably the worlds best multi-format bowler today speaks volumes about the historical lens applied by Cummins favoring the longevity and volume of classic Australian quicks. Only Three Indians Make the Elite Cut Despite the surprising snubs three undeniable Indian legends secured their places in this combined dream team each celebrated for their monumental influence on the game. 1. Sachin Tendulkar Tendulkar’s place was non negotiable. The little master was an automatic choice with his unprecedented numbers and the way he could outplay bowlers for well over two decades with the bat while steadfastly anchoring the middle order. 2. Kapil Dev India’s 1983 World Cup-winning skipper was our first all-rounder pick His prowess as a pacer and a demolition-batsman in the lower order brought much-needed equilibrium and energy to the line-up. 3. Anil Kumble The legendary leg-spinner was picked for his relentless accuracy mountain of wickets and unmatched tenacity in grinding down opposition lineups particularly in Test match cricket. The Australian Core of the XI The remainder of the side formed a powerhouse of Australian cricketing royalty. The opening partnership featured the iconic pair of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer. The middle order included the unmatched Sir Donald Bradman and the highly successful captain Ricky Ponting. The pace attack was predictably terrifying anchored by the all-time great fast bowlers Glenn McGrath and Dennis Lillee with Shane Warne slotting in as the specialist leg-spinner. The team was designated to be led by Steve Waugh known for his tactical brilliance and relentless winning mentality. Cummins selection process reveals a strong bias toward the Test era players who dominated for decades. It serves as a great reminder that combining such rich histories always involves tough decisions leaving out even generational talents like Kohli and Bumrah in favor of foundational greats. Pat Cummins All-Time India-Australia Combined XI 1. Matthew Hayden Australia 2. Justin Langer Australia 3. Sir Donald Bradman Australia 4. Ricky Ponting Australia 5. Sachin Tendulkar India 6. Steve Waugh Captain Australia 7. Adam Gilchrist Wicketkeeper Australia 8. Kapil Dev India All-rounder 9. Shane Warne Australia 10. Anil Kumble India 11. Glenn McGrath or Dennis Lillee Australia