Cricket News

Only one Indian included in Harsha Bhogle’s all-time 20-20 World Cup XI

The Voice of Cricket in India Harsha Bhogle has named his all-time 20-20 World Cup XI. The Indian commentator picked his side just ahead of the 20-20 World Cup in Australia. Bhogle in a video on Cricbuzz said that he had picked his side purely based on 20-20 World Cup performances and added that he was looking to construct a side with ‘balance’ being the top priority. The team picked by Bhogle includes seven proper batters with six bowling options and two pure all-around options.

At the top order, he went with Chris Gayle who scored a century in the inaugural World Cup game against South Africa in 2007. To partner him at the top, he went with Jos Butler who has been a force to reckon with in T20Is. Gayle has been a T20 great even when he has donned the Maroon for the West Indies. Bhogle picked up a world-class middle order, while Virat Kohli is the only Indian to make this World 20-20 XI. At No 4, he went with Kevin Pietersen who invented the switch hit in the T20 format and set the 2010 edition of the tournament alight with his exploits.

At No 5. He went with Michael Hussey who in T20I cricket is famous for the game-changing innings he played by taking on Saeed Ajmal against Pakistan in the 2010 edition.

Watson and Afridi were picked as all round options – Harsha Bhogle

In the all-rounder’s section, the renowned commentator picked game-changing all- round option Shane Watson and the veteran batter and leg-spinner Shahid Afridi who had a superb run in the 2009 edition which was clinched by Pakistan. The bowlers are made up of the deadly duo of Lasith Malinga and Trent Boult. Pakistan pacer Umar Gul also makes it to the side and when it comes to spinners, he picked up Samuel Badree who was part of two title-winning campaigns for the West Indies in 2012 and 2016.

This is the Eighth edition of the 20-20 World Cup that will be held down under and Australia will be looking to defend their title on home soil a year after they clinched their maiden 20-20 World Cup title in 2021 in the United Arab Emirates.

Harsha Bhogle’s all-time T20 World Cup XI: Chris Gayle, Jos Buttler, Virat Kohli, Kevin Pietersen, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Trent Boult, Lasith Malinga, Samuel Badree