Australian legend Matthew Hayden raised a few eyebrows with his selection of an all-time One Day International (ODI) World Cup XI, excluding Virat Kohli. Hayden’s lineup includes legends from various eras. Among them the renowned Aussie selected two legendary Pakistani fast bowlers, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, who used to strike fear in the hearts of batsmen with their sheer pace and reverse swing.
Virat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game, particularly excels in the ODI format where he has 50 centuries to his name. With over 13,000 runs, he ranks third on the list of all-time run-scorers in ODIs, trailing only the “Little Master” Sachin Tendulkar and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara. Kohli’s exclusion from Hayden’s XI certainly left many puzzled.
Hayden’s all-time ODI World Cup XI features a mix of players known for their contributions to the game in various capacities.
Matthew Hayden’s All-Time ODI World Cup XI:
Adam Gilchrist (wk)
Virender Sehwag
Ricky Ponting
Sachin Tendulkar
Brian Lara
Jacques Kallis
Wasim Akram
Waqar Younis
Shane Warne
Muttiah Muralitharan
Glenn McGrath
Hayden’s selection has ignited discussions among fans and analysts, particularly concerning the criteria used for inclusion and exclusion. While some argue that Kohli’s exclusion might be due to his ongoing career, others believe that his achievements already warrant a place in such a lineup.
