The most loved XI of all time
We live in a country where cricket and its stars are generally treated as a matter of national importance. A partisan sports rarely allows fans to admire the cricket players except those playing for their home sides. But, there are a few players who have managed to transcend this barrier and earn fans in other countries also.
We all know that 'cricket is a gentleman's game'. It is played with intense dignity, courage and a lot of hard work. There are some cricketers who are equally loved by fans all over the world. Even if they belong to the opposition team, fans never fail to admire them.
Let us take a look at the most loved XI of all time.
#1 Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum is one of the greatest players New Zealand has ever produced. He has a lot of fans across all over the world and contributed a lot to New Zealand cricket. He almost changed the fortunes of the game in New Zealand.
McCullum was one of the most successful openers ever and earned a huge number of followers with his power-hitting skills. McCullum had more than 12000 runs to his name across all formats, no smal feat that.
After losing the 2015 World Cup final to Australia, the former New Zealand skipper retired from international cricket. However, he continued to play the T20 leagues across the world before hanging up his boots for good last year.
McCullum is loved in all parts of the world for his on-field and off-field behavior. He scored he scored 6453 runs in 101 Tests. In ODIs, he scored 6083 runs in 260 matches while also featuring in 71 T20Is which saw him make 2140 runs.
#2 Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle is one of the most powerful hitters in world cricket. He became the first cricketer to score centuries in all formats of the game in International cricket (test, ODI, and T20I).
He is considered as one of the most destructive openers along with Virender Sehwag, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Brendon McCullum. With his huge sixes, he earned a large number fans in all parts of the world.
Gayle has over 19000 International runs to his name. One of the cleanest hitters of the ball, Gayle has a great fan base with almost no haters despite a few controversies along the way.
#3 Rahul Dravid
Undoubtedly, the former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid is one of the most loved cricketers in the world. When his team required dependable batsman at No. 5, he batted at that position. When his team needed wicket-keeper, he put his hand up to fulfill the role. He did everything for the team during his playing days.
#4 Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is someone who needs no introduction. Worshipped as 'god' in India, his popularity has transcended time and space.
Tendulkar has a host of all-time records to his name, including that for most Test runs, most Test centuries, most ODI runs and most ODI centuries. He retired from Test cricket in 2013, and his last game saw a record attendance from the fans, most of whom were in tears.
Tendulkar delighted the cricket world for more than two decades with his brilliant shot-making. Now, he continues to endear himself to the public by making sporadic appearances at cricket events - where he always seems to be smiling.
#5 AB de Villiers (c)
AB de Villiers is considered as one of the best players of this generation. He is undoubtedly the most loved foreign cricketer in India. With his shot-creating abilities, he is really popular among the youngsters. His exploits in the IPL earned him the tag of Mr 360 degrees.
De Villiers, who likes to dance in the crease, can smash any bowling attack. There have been many instances when fans have cheered him when he was playing against India in India.
The legend is set to return to international cricket sometime later this year after deciding to end his retirement.
#6 Jacques Kallis
Undoubtedly, Jacques Kallis has been one of the best all-rounders in cricket history. After his debut, with the passage of time, he established him as one of the finest batsmen in cricket.
The only man to have scored over 10000 runs and taken over 250 wickets in both forms of the game, Kallis was a true ambassador of the sport and held always played the sport in the right spirit whatever the situation of the match. He is loved by cricket fans in all parts of the world.
#7 Adam Gilchrist (wk)
Adam Gilchrist is one of the greatest wicket-keeper batsmen to have played this game. He was a rare Australian cricketer who never sledged the opposition.
Gilchrist was loved by all cricket fans for his powerful hitting. He changed the perception that a wicket-keeper cannot be a good batsman. He is idolized around the world for his on-field and off-field behavior and famous for walking when he knew he was out. He was one of the cricketers who believed in being honest on the field.
#8 Anil Kumble
The former Indian skipper, Anil Kumble, has also been an example of humility and dignity. Soft-spoken and unassuming, he is one of the greatest spinners to have played for India.
Having more than 950 International wickets to his name, he is considered as one of the greatest spinners in the game along with Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. He earned respect and fans when he came to bowl with the injured jaw in the Test match against West Indies.
The way in which he lead the Team after the Monkeygate scandal in India's tour of Australia in 2007 earned him praises from the cricketing fraternity across the world.
#9 Wasim Akram
The former Pakistan bowler, Wasim Akram is also known as 'The King of Swing'. He is one of the few cricketers who did not play first-class cricket before making an international debut.
Akram has more than 900 International wickets to his name and is one of the best pacers the world has seen. With his pace and swing, he single-handedly won many matches for Pakistan.
His on-field as well as the off-field persona makes him an ideal role model for youngsters across the world.
#10 Dale Steyn
The South African pacer, Dale Steyn, has a huge fan base across all over the world with almost no haters. He is one of the most fearsome bowlers in the history of cricket.
His wry smile when the batsman hits a four or misses the ball, is loved by the fans. He has 501 wickets to his name in the International cricket. Because of his competitive attitude, he has earned a huge fan following across the world. Undoubtedly, he is one of the most loved cricketers in the game of cricket.
#11 Brett Lee
Brett Lee is arguably one of the best bowlers to have played this game. He is widely respected in international cricket and has contributed a lot to Australian cricket.
Lee had been one of the most successful bowlers as well as the popular figure in the cricketing circle for his lovely bowling style. With more than 700 wickets in International cricket, he is considered as one of the greatest bowlers of his era.
Though he used to sledge, he never crossed the limit. He is one of the few Australian cricketers who is loved in all parts of the world because of his affable persona and other talents.