Michael Hussey, Virat Kohli, Australia vs India 2018/19
Getty Images

Former Australian batsman Michael Hussey on Wednesday announced his ‘Best Enemies XI’ in Test cricket. Hussey picked three Indians in his team which included explosive opener Virender Sehwag, the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, and the modern-day great of cricket, Virat Kohli.

Hussey, who played Test cricket for Australia from 2005 to 2013, picked the Best XI of opponents he has played against in Test cricket on “The Unplayable Podcast”. Michael Hussey picked Virender Sehwag and Graeme Smith as openers. He roped in former West Indian legend Brian Lara at the number three spot. Hussey picked Tendulkar and Kohli to bat at number four and five respectively. Jacques Kallis comes in at number five as the all-rounder followed by Kumar Sangakkara as the wicketkeeper-batsman.

Michael Hussey Names Virat Kohli And Two Other Indian Veterans In His 'Best Enemies XI'
Virat Kohli (L) and Sachin Tendulkar. (PTI Photo/Mitesh Bhuvad)

South Africans Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, English pacer James Anderson and spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan made for the bowling attack.

Choosing One Between Sangakkara and Dhoni Was Difficult: Michael Hussey

The Australian said it was difficult for him to leave out former Chennai Super Kings teammate MS Dhoni. He justified his decision, stating that Sangakkara pipped the dasher from Ranchi based on the impact in the most extended format of the game.

Read More  Virender Sehwag restarts his feud with MS Dhoni, slams the broadcasters who hired him for commentary
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Mike Hussey
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Mike Hussey in the frame. (PC – IPl/Sportzpics)

“I wrestled with this one between Kumar Sangakkara, MS Dhoni and AB de Villiers. But I think the latter two have got more impact in the shorter formats T20s and ODI.” “Sangakkara had immense impact in Test cricket,” Hussey said.

It Was Brutal To Face Brett Lee, McGrath, and Warne In The Nets: Michael Hussey

Asked what it was like facing bowling legends like Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Brett Lee in the nets, the former middle-order batsman said the sessions were ruthless.

“It was brutal. If you can get through your net sessions unscathed you know you can get through anything in Test cricket,” he said. “That was real strength of the Australian team when I was playing,” he added.

Michael Hussey, ICC World Cup 2019, Australia National Cricket Team
Michael Hussey. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Hussey was part of a dominant Australian side, and the southpaw believes “high-quality training” was the reason behind the team’s success. “Seeing the current team train now, the high-quality training probably sets up apart from the other countries certainly the West Indies. Have seen a couple of their training session and they are much more relaxed,” Michael Hussey added.

Michael Hussey’s ‘Best of Enemies’ XI: Virender Sehwag, Graeme Smith, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Jacques Kallis, Kumar Sangakkara, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, James Anderson, Muttiah Muralitharan.

Read More  Prithvi Shaw won't play in IPL 2024 any further? Sourav Ganguly provides a jaw-dropping update

Also Read: James Faulkner Turns 30: A Look At His Lesser Known Facts

Priyam Singh is the Head of Content and Operations at Cricketaddictor. He Has Been Associated With Cricketaddictor Since The Last 4 Years And His Role Revolves Around Generation And Implementation Of Content...