Michael Clarke keeps MS Dhoni optional in India-Australia Test playing 11 of the century
Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has picked his all-time India-Australia combined Test playing XI from this century. Clarke, appearing on the YouTube channel "TAB", was asked to pick a combined side with players featuring from both nations from the year 2000 onwards.
Michael Clarke, before picking his playing XI, apologized to anybody that he left out and stated that his brain would think of players he loved playing with or against. However, he clarified that his picks were not based on statistics, but on the way these players played the game.
As far as the openers are concerned, Clarke picked Virender Sehwag and Matthew Hayden, keeping the left-right combination. In the middle-order, Clarke chose legendary Australian and all-time great Ricky Ponting, followed by Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, at number four and five, respectively. He wrapped up his top six with modern-day Australian great Steve Smith, making it a solid batting line-up.
However, his picks got interesting as for the wicket-keeper, Michael Clarke made optional choices based on where the team would play. If the team plays in Australia, Clarke went with Adam Gilchrist, while keeping former Indian captain MS Dhoni as the optional pick if the team played in India.
Clarke then picked the late legendary Shane Warne as his spinner in the side. Coming to the fast bowling attack, Clarke picked a solid combination including Glenn McGrath and Jasprit Bumrah. For the third pacer, he included Ryan Harris in what may appear to be a surprising call.
Clarke stated that including Harris may be a big call but he was his favorite that he played with. The former Australian international also made optional choices for the 12th man of his combined side. Clarke went for Mitchell Johnson if the team would play in Australia, and Zaheer Khan if the team would play in India.
Justifying his selection, Clarke stated that Zaheer was brilliant in Australia as well. However, he picked Johnson for extra pace through the air in Australian conditions and Zaheer for his skill of natural and reverse swing in India.
Clarke's combined India-Australia Test XI of this century: Virender Sehwag, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Adam Gilchrist/MS Dhoni, Shane Warne, Ryan Harris, Jasprit Bumrah, Glenn McGrath.
12th man: Mitchell Johnson/Zaheer Khan
Michael Clarke names additional players he would have loved in the team
Additionally, Michael Clarke also stated that he would have loved to have Sourav Ganguly in the team as he was an inspirational captain and changed the way Indian cricket was played.
He also said that it was difficult to leave out Steve and Mark Waugh, along with the likes of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid as well. Clarke finished off by saying that many wonderful players have made the rivalry in India and Australia competitive.