The ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar trophy between India and England is witnessing some thrilling games, with some of the best players featuring on both sides.
India and England have shared a fierce red-ball rivalry over the years, producing some of the finest Test cricketers the world has seen.
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Former England cricketer Nick Knight has now picked up his best combined Test XI, which includes players from India and England who have played for their sides in the 21st century. What’s raised eyebrows among cricket fans isn’t who made the cut, it’s who didn’t.
Nick Knight leaves out Kohli and Bumrah from combined India-England Test XI of 21st century
Nick Knight, England's former opening batsman, has excluded two of India's biggest cricketing icons - Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah from his India-England combined Test XI.
On ESPNcricinfo's segment - 'The Draft', Knight picked up his combined Test XI of the 21st century.
Former England captain Alastair Cook and explosive Indian batter Virender Sehwag have found a place in Knight's XI as the openers of the side. Cook, during his time, was one of England's all-time great opening batters, who was known for his ability to control the game and build long innings, while Sehwag was more like modern-day batters, who liked to take on the bowlers.
Knight stacked up his middle order with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar and England's Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan, who were followed by Graham Thorpe and former Indian skipper MS Dhoni.
MORE: Did India miss Virat Kohli at Lord's?
Moving to the bowling department, he picked up three pacers - Stuart Broad, James Anderson, and Zaheer Khan, and a solitary spinner in the form of Graeme Swann. Anil Kumble was named as the 12th man of the side by Knight.
Interestingly, the former English opener omitted the likes of Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, who have been stalwarts of Indian cricket and hold some exceptional red-ball records.
Kohli ended his Test career with 9,230 runs at an average of nearly 47, while his records against England were phenomenal as well, with 1991 at an average of 42.
Bumrah, on the other hand, has been the best bowler in the world for the past few years. In his 90 innings in Test cricket, he has picked up 217 wickets at an astonishing average of 19. England has been one of Bumrah's favourite opponents, with 72 wickets in 30 innings.
Nick Knight's combined India-England Test XI - Alastair Cook, Virender Sehwag, Michael Vaughan, Sachin Tendulkar, Kevin Pietersen, MS Dhoni (wk), Graham Thorpe, Stuart Broad, Zaheer Khan, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Anil Kumble (12th Man)