Hashim Amla reveals his all-time Test XI; kicks out Virat Kohli

South African legendary cricketer Hashim Amla has revealed his all-time Test XI comprising players from the generation he played cricket in. Amla included legendary Indian batters Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in the lineup but left out modern batting star Virat Kohli from his all-time Test XI.

Amla scored 9,282 runs in 124 Tests at an average of 46.64. His unbeaten 311 remains the second-highest individual score ever recorded by a South African batter. He also made significant contributions in the limited-overs formats, adding 8,113 runs in 181 ODIs and 1,277 runs in 44 T20 internationals.

Hashim Amla Reveals His All-Time Test XI; No Place For Virat Kohli

Hashim Amla named his all-time Test XI featuring players from his era, leaving out stars such as Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson. Amla picked his former South African teammate Graeme Smith alongside Australian legend Matthew Hayden as openers.

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Smith scored 9,265 runs in 117 Tests at an average of 48.25, including 27 centuries, while Hayden amassed 8,625 runs in 103 matches at an average of over 50 with 30 hundreds.

At No. 3, Amla selected Rahul Dravid, who scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests at 52.31, with 36 centuries. For the No. 4 position, he chose Australian great Ricky Ponting, who scored 13,378 runs in 168 Tests at an average of 51.85, including 41 centuries.

Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the best Test leaders, though a dip in form over the last five years and a series of disappointing performances led to his retirement from Test cricket before England’s tour earlier this year.

Hashim Amla Picks AB de Villiers as Wicketkeeper-Batter in His All-Time Test XI

Hashim Amla included Proteas teammate Jacques Kallis, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in Test cricket, for the No.5 position. Kallis amassed 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37, including 45 centuries, and also took 292 wickets with five five-wicket hauls.

The team also features Sachin Tendulkar, the highest run-scorer in Test history, who scored 15,921 runs in 200 matches at an average of 53.78, including 51 centuries.

Amla selected AB de Villiers at No.7, who also assumed the role of wicketkeeper. De Villiers scored 8,765 runs in 114 Tests at an average of 50.66, including 22 centuries.

Hashim Amla Selects Two Spinners and Two Pacers for His All-Time Test XI

For the bowling department of his all-time Test XI, Hashim Amla went with two spinners and two pacers. He picked Muttiah Muralitharan, who took 800 wickets in 133 Tests at an average of 22.72, alongside Shane Warne, who claimed 708 wickets in 145 matches at an average of 25.41.

Amla opted for his former Proteas teammate Dale Steyn and Australian legend Glenn McGrath. Steyn finished his career with 439 wickets in 93 Tests at an impressive strike rate of 42.38 and 26 five-wicket hauls, while McGrath took 563 wickets from 124 Tests at an average of 21.64, including 29 fifers.

Amla's all-time Test XI (Via Beard Before Wicket podcast): Graeme Smith, Matthew Hayden, Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, Sachin Tendulkar, AB de Villiers (wk), Shane Warne, Dale Steyn, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath

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