Eoin Morgan includes MS Dhoni, Anil Kumble in his All Time XI; leaves out Sachin Tendulkar

England ODI Captain Eoin Morgan

England’s One Day Internationals Captain Eoin Morgan has recently revealed his “All-Time XI” and has certainly raised a few eyebrows by omitting some respected names from the list including Sachin Tendulkar’s. Morgan revealed his All-time XI in a video where the benchmark for selection included playing with, against or influence of the players on him. 

For the opening pair, Morgan has included his Team-mate Alastair Cook (understandably) who also happens to be the Captain of this ‘All Time XI’. Cook is the ‘Youngest Player’ to reach the 10,000 run mark in test matches and also holds the record for the ‘Highest Non-Asian Run Scorer in Asia’.

Former South African Cricketer Jacques Kallis partners Cook and rightly occupies a place in this team of legends. Kallis holds the unique record of being the only player in the history to reach the 10,000 run mark in both Tests and the One Day Internationals in addition to having more than 200 wickets in both the formats. 

Former Australian Captain Ricky Ponting has been included in this XI for his tremendous batting and making Australia a force to reckon with. Ponting’s also holds the record for the most World Cup matches played.

West Indian Great Brian Charles Lara occupies the No.4 slot in this team. The former batsman holds a number of records with the most popular one being – most runs scored by an individual (400*) in an International Test Match (coming against England).

Mr. 360 AB de Villiers finds a place in this team and holds the 5th position in the middle order. Considered as one of the best batsmen of the current generation, AB de Villiers has scored the ‘Fastest Century’ in the One Day International (64 balls) and also the ‘Fastest Player to reach 8000 runs in ODIs’.

Arguably the best player ever produced by Sri Lanka, Kumar Sangakkara holds the sixth spot in this esteemed XI. The Former Sri Lankan Captain holds the record for smashing four consecutive hundreds in the 2015 ICC World Cup edition. 

India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been chosen as the Wicket-Keeper. Currently captaining the Indian Cricket Team in the ODIs and the T20s, Dhoni is the only Indian player to win 100 matches as a Captain in the ODIs and the third player (just behind Ponting and Allan Border) in the world to do so.

Nicknamed ‘Jumbo’, former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble has been included by Morgan in his ‘All Time XI’. Kumble ended his career with 619 wickets and holds the record for bowling the most number of deliveries (40850) by an Indian in the Tests.

Seamers James Anderson and Dale Steyn have also been included along with the recently retired Australian Mitchell Johnson.

Morgan’s All Time XI: Alastair Cook (Captain), Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, AB de Villiers, Kumar Sangakkara, MS Dhoni (Wicket-Keeper), Anil Kumble, James Anderson, Dale Steyn, Mitchell Johnson.