Star India batter Cheteshwar Pujara recently stirred debate when he crafted his dream combined Test XI of India and England from the 21st century—omitting legends Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, yet including Virat Kohli at No. 4. The quiet gladiator, now part of the England Test broadcast team, revealed his picks on “The Draft” segment of ESPNcricinfo.
Pujara’s chosen XI is anchored by stalwarts Alec Stewart (wk) and Rahul Dravid as openers. Stewart amassed 8,463 Test runs in 133 matches, neatly topping Pujara’s list as both keeper and opener. Dravid offers solidity at the other end.
The formidable middle order features England’s Joe Root, India’s former captain Kohli, and Indian legend VVS Laxman. Root continues to dominate, accumulating 13,259 Test runs—including the most runs against India in this century with 3,099 at an average of 57.38. Kohli brings 9,230 runs and 30 centuries, while Laxman adds experience and flair.
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Pujara bolstered the lower middle order with all-rounders Ben Stokes, Andrew Flintoff, and India’s Ravindra Jadeja—adding spin strength alongside Ravichandran Ashwin, who leads India’s wicket-takers against England in this century with 114 scalps at 27.72 apiece.
Cheteshwar Pujara has selected Virat Kohli over Sachin Tendulkar in his India-England combined Test XI of the 21st century.#ViratKohli #SachinTendulkar #Cricket https://t.co/OeWKB6va7z
— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 19, 2025
The pace duo is a purely Indian partnership of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami—modern maestros in their own right. As the 12th man, Pujara chose former England quick Matthew Hoggard.
Notably absent were legends like Tendulkar, Dhoni, Alastair Cook, and James Anderson—surprising omissions, given their records. While King Kohli earns a spot, Tendulkar and Dhoni’s absence hints at Pujara’s preference for players who shone predominantly in Tests across this century.
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With the series finely poised at 2–1 in England’s favour, Pujara’s XI underscores both talent and strategic balance. His choices reflect performances over the past two decades—and spark conversation about form, longevity, and legacy in Test cricket.
