Sourav Ganguly Picks Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne in His All-time XI

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly announced his all-time XI in a recent interview for the Lord’s Cricket Youtube Channel.

Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar are the only two Indian players who have made the cut in Ganguly’s all-time XI apart from four Australians, two Sri Lankans, two South Africans and one England cricketer.

While naming the players, Ganguly mentioned he picked only those players against whom he have had played with or against him.

The southpaw also considered for been influenced owing to their class and ability.

The 44-year-old Ganguly, who retired in 2008 with 113 Tests for India scoring 7,212 runs and appeared in 311 One-day Internationals amassing 11,363 runs.

The senior campaigner focused on the line-up which has qualities of being ‘invincible’ team and would thoroughly succeed.

Attacking Mathew Hayden and England’s most reliable opener Alastair Cook will open the innings for him.

However, at number three spot,  is the best defensive batsmen of the modern era – Rahul Dravid. Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar occupies the No.4 position.

Ganguly has led both the cricketers for a long time. Both Dravid and Tendulkar played at the same position at the time when ‘Dada’ was at the helm. Therefore, it seemed like a natural choice for him.

Owing to the backbone of the batting order, the middle order looks rock solid. Jacques Kallis, Kumar Sangakkara, and Ricky Ponting will be taking up the No. 5, 6 and 7 spots respectively.

Kallis definitely can make it into any squad given the amount of success he has achieved as a seam-bowling all-rounder for South Africa.

Apart from being a solid batsman, Kumar Sangakkara also ended up as the greatest wicketkeeper Sri Lanka ever had in their history.

While rest of the batting order seemed great and quite predictable. Furthermore, Ponting at No.7 was a surprising and an out of the box decision.

The Australian great, ranked only behind Sir Donalad Bradman in his country. Bradman was terrific and arguably the greatest No.3 to have ever played the game.

Ganguly’s decision to introduce him in his team seems like a desperate act but it doesn’t seem wrong at all. Also, a side needs a captain and Ponting perhaps is the best option to lead a team filled with such superstars.

The 44-year-old Ganguly has opted for a four-man bowling attack featuring two frontline fast bowlers. He further banked on two frontline spinners with Glenn Mcgrath leading the bowling attack along with Dale Steyn.

Moreover, Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan have also enjoyed their space.

Sourav Ganguly names his all-time XI:

Matthew Hayden (Australia), Alastair Cook (England), Rahul Dravid (India), Sachin Tendulkar ( India), Jacques Kallis (South Africa), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka – wicketkeeper), Ricky Ponting (Australia – captain), Glenn McGrath (Australia), Dale Steyn (South Africa), Shane Warne (Australia), Muttiah Muralitharan ( Sri Lanka),