Babar Azam’s World ODI XI Snubs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

A Bold Selection: Babar Azam Defines His World ODI XI

In the high-pressure world of international cricket, opinions on the ‘greatest’ players are often as diverse as the fans themselves. However, when a player of Babar Azam’s stature speaks, the cricketing fraternity listens. Recently, during a media session with his PSL franchise, Peshawar Zalmi, the Pakistan maestro was asked to construct his ideal World ODI XI. The resulting list has become an instant talking point, primarily for the notable absence of India’s cricketing titans.

The Omission of Indian Superstars

Perhaps the most shocking aspect of Babar Azam’s list is the complete exclusion of Indian players. Despite their dominance in white-ball cricket over the last decade, both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma—widely considered two of the greatest limited-overs batters to ever grace the game—were left off the team. The decision has drawn significant attention from pundits and fans alike, fueling debates regarding the selection criteria used by the former Pakistan skipper.

Furthermore, the exclusion extended to the bowling department, where the world-renowned Jasprit Bumrah was also sidelined. Instead, Babar opted for a pace battery featuring his teammate Shaheen Afridi, South African spearhead Kagiso Rabada, and English fast bowler Jofra Archer.

The Composition of the XI

Babar Azam’s side leans heavily into aggressive, modern-day limited-overs specialists. His selection reflects a preference for high-impact players who can dictate the tempo of an ODI innings. The final XI consists of:

• Openers: Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head
• Middle Order: Aiden Markram, Mohammad Rizwan, Rachin Ravindra, Harry Brook
• All-Rounders: Mitchell Santner
• Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Jofra Archer, Shaheen Afridi, Kagiso Rabada

It is an interesting blend of Australian aggression, Pakistani grit, and the versatility of spin-bowling all-rounders like Rashid Khan and Mitchell Santner. Yet, the absence of the Indian batting duo remains the primary focus of the discussion.

The Humility of the 12th Man

While the exclusion of Kohli and Sharma made headlines, the most unexpected twist was Babar Azam leaving himself out of the starting lineup. Choosing to name himself only as the 12th man, the Peshawar Zalmi captain displayed a level of modesty that surprised many. Analysts have speculated whether this decision stems from pure humility or if it reflects an internal critique of his own form in recent international white-ball tournaments.

By slotting Mohammad Rizwan into the middle order to handle wicket-keeping duties, Babar has shown continued faith in his long-time batting partner, favoring him for the role ahead of others.

Focusing on the PSL Finals

Away from the hypothetical team selections, Babar Azam remains laser-focused on his immediate professional goals. As the captain of Peshawar Zalmi, he is on the verge of a historic achievement. While he has been a stalwart for the franchise for several seasons, a PSL title as captain remains the one major accolade missing from his trophy cabinet. With over 500 runs in the current campaign, his form is undeniable, and he will look to lead his side past the Hyderabad Kingsmen in the upcoming final.

As the cricketing calendar eventually shifts its focus toward the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, these discussions about personnel and team balance will only intensify. Whether Babar’s XI would dominate in a real-world scenario remains purely theoretical, but it serves as a fascinating look into the mind of one of cricket’s finest modern technicians.