Former New Zealand skipper and former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head coach Daniel Vettori has picked his all-time XI. Well, an interview, where Daniel Vettori had collaborated with Lord’s Cricket Ground, has resurfaced on social media and is going viral.
Daniel Vettori retired from the game after the finals of World Cup 2015, where he played 113 Tests and picked up 362 wickets, making him the second-best left-arm spinner of all-time. He was also a brilliant lower-order batter.
In the viral interview, Vettori had revealed his dream team, which includes three Indian batting legends — Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli.
Vettori was asked to choose players he has played with or against and not so surprisingly, a mixture of old and new players was seen in Vettori’s playing XI. While he picked some of the legendary names in his team, the most stunning decision was to make Virar Kohli the skipper of his all-time XI, especially ahead of legends like Ricky Ponting and Kumar Sangakkara. Explaining the reason behind his decision, Vettori had said:
“Some modern guys come in at three and four. Virat Kohli of the cinnamon front, up close for a long time and nothing but impressed by the way he plays in the passion that he has for winning. I think I would provide the whole team. I meant that anyway, but it would be nice to have him in charge”
Also, there was no specific order in the team as Vettori gave no specific roles to the players. “I have picked the top six in no particular order because they can bat anywhere,” Vettori had said
Further, while naming his all-time XI, Vettori described former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting as the most destructive batter and Rahul Dravid as the most challenging of his time. He said:
“Ponting was one of the most destructive guys I have seen playing in any conditions. He was amazing. Dravid was the hardest batsman I have ever bowled to. His ability to pick up length was amazing.”
Adam Gilchrist was given the responsibility of wicket-keeping in Vettori’s playing XI ahead of legendary Kumar Sangakkara. In his bowling line-up, Vettori picked two of the most successful spinners of all time — Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.
Here’s Daniel Vettori’s all-time XI:
Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath, Richard Hadlee, Jacques Kallis (12th man)
