Piyush Chawla names his all-time India ODI XI

Piyush Chawla, the former Indian leg spinner, recently unveiled his all-time India ODI XI, showcasing a lineup filled with legendary talent. At the top of his order, Chawla has chosen the iconic Sachin Tendulkar and current Indian captain Rohit Sharma as the opening duo. Tendulkar, renowned for his prolific run-scoring and unmatched technique, is paired with Sharma, who has established himself as one of the finest opening batsmen of the modern era. In the middle order, Chawla selected Virender Sehwag to bat at number three. Known for his explosive and aggressive style, Sehwag's inclusion provides a solid foundation and the ability to accelerate the innings. Following Sehwag, the lineup features Virat Kohli, a modern-day great whose consistency and ability to anchor the innings make him a crucial component of the team. His prowess in chases and match-winning performances add significant strength to the middle order.

Adding balance to the squad, Chawla included the dynamic Yuvraj Singh, who brings a left-handed option and is renowned for his ability to both dismantle bowling attacks and contribute with vital overs. As for the wicketkeeper and captain, Chawla chose MS Dhoni. Dhoni's exceptional skills behind the stumps, coupled with his remarkable leadership and knack for finishing games, make him the perfect choice to lead this star-studded team. Dhoni's strategic insights and calm demeanor under pressure complete this dream lineup, blending historical greatness with modern excellence.

Piyush Chawla’s all-time India ODI XI is completed with the inclusion of legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev, who is renowned for his explosive batting and skillful fast bowling. Dev’s contributions were pivotal in India’s 1983 World Cup triumph, making him an indispensable part of this dream team. His ability to change the course of a match with both bat and ball adds a crucial dimension to the lineup. In the spin department, Chawla has selected the formidable pair of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. Kumble’s precision and Harbhajan’s off-spin have made them a nightmare for batsmen across different eras. Their combined spin attack is capable of dominating any surface and dismantling even the most resilient batting line-ups.

The pace attack features two of India’s finest fast bowlers: Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah. Zaheer Khan, with his remarkable ability to swing the ball and bowl in the crucial phases of the game, is a stalwart of Indian pace bowling. Jasprit Bumrah, known for his unique action and death-over prowess, complements the pace attack with his exceptional skills and versatility.

Chawla, at 35, recently shared a fascinating anecdote about his bond with current India skipper Rohit Sharma. He recounted how Sharma, known for his late-night discussions, called him at 2:30 AM to strategize on dismissing Australian batter David Warner. This story highlights the close relationship and mutual respect between the two cricketers, both on and off the field.

"I've played so much cricket with him that we've reached a comfort level. We sit off the field as well. Once, at 2:30 in the night, he texted me and asked, "you up?" He drew a field on paper and discussed with me about potentially dismissing Warner. Even at that time, he was thinking about how he could get the best out of me," former Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was quoted as saying to YouTuber Shubhankar Mishra's podcast.

Piyush Chawla all-time ODI XI

Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Jasprit Bumrah And Zaheer Khan.