(Source X)
Virat Kohli stands as a cricketing titan, renowned for his stellar performances across various formats worldwide. Amidst his illustrious career, one particular format stands out where he not only excels but revels in his mastery: One Day Internationals (ODIs). Often hailed as the undisputed monarch of ODIs, Kohli’s ability to meticulously pace his innings is a testament to his cricketing genius. With nearly 14,000 runs under his belt in this format, he continues to set new benchmarks and shows no signs of slowing down.
Despite his remarkable achievements, including leading India to numerous victories, Kohli’s exclusion from Matthew Hayden’s all-time ODI World Cup XI raised eyebrows.
Matthew Hayden unveils his All-time ODI World Cup XI.
Recently, a prominent Pakistani journalist sparked discussions by sharing an image of Matthew Hayden’s ultimate World Cup XI, notable for the absence of Virat Kohli. The lineup featured the following players:
Adam Gilchrist (wk), Virender Sehwag, Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shane Warne Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath
Matthew Hayden’s choice to exclude Virat Kohli from his All-time ODI World Cup XI was justified.
Hayden’s decision to omit Kohli from his all-time World Cup XI can be traced back to his prediction made in 2014, well before the 2015 ODI World Cup. During that period, Kohli was still in the early stages of solidifying his status as a cricketing legend.
By 2014, Kohli had participated in just one ODI World Cup (2011), where he managed 282 runs in nine matches, including one century. His stature as a dominant batsman had yet to fully blossom.
In hindsight, Hayden’s selection reflected the context of that era, considering India’s eventual triumph in the 2011 World Cup, their first in 28 years. Thus, Hayden’s XI accurately captured the players who defined that era of cricket.
