Legendary Kumar Sangakkara has included four Australians but only one Indian player, as he has announced his all-time XI. One of the greatest batsman of modern era, Sangakkara has just retired from first-class cricket after re-wrote English county Championship record book with his ‘Bradman’ like batting, where he smashed nine hundreds in a single season.
By naming his all time XI, most surprisingly he didn’t pick Indian Master-Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who has been regarded as the greatest batsman ever after Sir Don Bradman. Instead, he chooses former Australian captain Ricky Ponting at number four, where Sachin batted in test cricket throughout his career.
In his all-time XI, Sangakkara has opted for a hard-hitting left-handed batsman from Australia Matthew Hayden, who revolutionized the image of test openers with his attacking batting. Most surprisingly, Sangakkara chooses Indian great Rahul Dravid as his opening partner. Dravid has been regarded as one of the most technically sound batsman in the history of the game, but he played at number three for India in his career.
Instead, At number 3 he has selected West Indies legend Brian Lara. Brian Lara was amongst most attractive left handed batsmen, World Cricket has ever produced. Australian legend Ricky Pointing has been selected by Sangakkara at number 4. He was one of the best batsman with his technique and stroke play.
Arvinda de Silva has been named as the captain of his all-time XI. It is a known fact that Sangakkara often hails Mad Max as the best batsman Sri Lanka have ever produced. For all-rounder place and number 6 place. Argubally the greatest allrounder of Cricket history, Kallis was the dream player of any team in the world, with his extraordinary talent with both bat and ball.
Adam Gilchrist is at number 7 with his wicketkeeping skills and also his batting ability. With his fearless batting, he forever changed the batting style in test cricket, as a wicket keeper batsman.
The spin department includes Australian great Shane Warner who is the second leading wicket-taker in international comes at number 8. Sri Lankan great and leading wicket-taker in test history with 800 scalps Muttiah Muralitharan is placed at number 9.
For the pace bowler department, Pakistani great Wasim Akram has been included at number 10 along with his teammates Chaminda Vaas in the final place.
Notable Absence in Sangakkara XI : Sachin Tendulkar, Glenn McGrath.
Sangakkara’s all time XI :
1. Matthew Hayden (Australia)
2. Rahul Dravid (India)
3. Brian Lara (West Indies)
4. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
5. Aravinda De Silva (Sri Lanka)
6. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
7. Adam Gilchrist (Australia) (Wk)
8. Shane Warne (Australia)
9. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
10. Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
11. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)
