Virat Kohli shockingly snubbed as Kane Williamson and Matthew Hayden share All-Time Test XIs of 21st Century

Former Australian captain Kane Williamson and legendary Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden recently revealed their dream all-time Test XIs of the 21st century, featuring iconic batters, crafty spinners, and deadly pace bowlers across the world.

Kane Williamson has picked Matthew Hayden, who amassed a stunning 8,625 Test runs at an average of 50.73, including a then-record score of 380, and Virender Sehwag as his openers. The explosive former Indian opener Sehwag has 8536 runs in 104 Tests to his name.

Kane Williamson and Matthew Hayden unveil All-Time Test XIs of 21st Century

The New Zealander picked Ricky Ponting at the crucial number three position and named the Aussie great his captain. Ponting represented Australia in 168 Tests and amassed 13,378 runs with the help of 41 centuries. With 15,921 runs in 200 tests, Sachin Tendulkar is the all-time leading Test run-scorer, and the Indian legend will take care of Kane’s No. 4 position.

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Tendulkar is followed by modern-era legends like Steve Smith, AB de Villiers, and MS Dhoni, who was also handed the wicketkeeping job. Williamson’s bowling attack featured Proteas pacer Dale Steyn (439 wickets), Pakistan’s fiery speedster Shoaib Akhtar (178 wickets), and Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath (563 wickets).

He also added Muttiah Muralitharan’s (800 wickets) spin wizardry to his line-up. On the other hand, Hayden has decided to go with relentless aggression and swagger. England’s legendary Alastair Cook alongside Australia’s fearsome David Warner are the openers of Hayden’s dream all-time Test XI of the 21st century.

The all-time Test XI of Kane Williamson and Matthew Hayden from the 21st century. (Espncricinfo). pic.twitter.com/FWWypcmaRv

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 14, 2025

Alastair Cook, Pat Cummins, and Virat Kohli make the cut in Matthew Hayden's dream XI

Alastair Cook has 12,472 runs in 162 Tests for England with the help of 33 centuries to his name, while David Warner was one of the most dangerous openers of his era with 8,786 runs in 112 Tests to his name. Legendary South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who has 13,289 runs in 166 Tests to his name, and West Indies great Brian Lara, who scored 11,953 runs in 131 Tests, have been named the No. 4 and 5 batters.

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Lara has been named captain by the former Australian batter. Virat Kohli’s class and VVS Laxman’s (8781 runs) elegance prompted the Aussie to draft them into his line, with Adam Gilchrist (5570 runs) blending power and keeping behind the stumps.

Hayden’s bowling attack features the late legendary spinner Shane Warne (708 wickets), Pat Cummins (301 wickets), Brett Lee (310 wickets), and England’s swing master James Anderson (704 wickets). Kohli recently retired from the format with 9230 runs, but he was shockingly ignored by one of his good friends, Williamson.

Kane Williamson and Matthew Hayden’s All-Time Test XI of the 21st Century:

Kane Williamson: Matthew Hayden, Virender Sehwag, Ricky Ponting (C), Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Smith, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni (WK), Dale Steyn, Shoaib Akhtar, Glenn McGrath, Muttiah Muralitharan.

Matthew Hayden: Alastair Cook, David Warner, Jacques Kallis, Brian Lara (C), Virat Kohli, VVS Laxman, Adam Gilchrist (WK), Shane Warne, Pat Cummins, Brett Lee, James Anderson