Babar Azam picks World ODI XI, snubs all Indian stars including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Babar Azam (Source: Sameera Peiris-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Veteran Babar Azam recently picked his World ODI XI, notably leaving out all Indian players, including stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Currently featuring for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League 2026, where the team reached the final, Babar was asked in a video session to pick the best World ODI XI. Interestingly, he overlooked some of the biggest names in modern ODI cricket.

For his XI, he selected Australian batters’ Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head as openers, followed by Aiden Markram at No. 3 and his teammate Mohammad Rizwan at No. 4. Rachin Ravindra was slotted at No. 5, with England captain Harry Brook included as a key middle-order batter.

In the all-round and spin department, he picked Mitchell Santner and Rashid Khan. The pace attack featured Jofra Archer, Shaheen Afridi, and Kagiso Rabada. Babar humorously named himself as the 12th man in his World ODI XI.

Babar Azam’s ODI XI:

Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Aiden Markram, Mohammad Rizwan, Rachin Ravindra, Harry Brook, Mitchell Santner, Rashid Khan, Jofra Archer, Shaheen Afridi, Kagiso Rabada.

Babar has been a consistent presence in the PSL over the years, representing Peshawar Zalmi for the majority of his career. Despite his individual brilliance, he is yet to win a PSL title with the franchise. With Zalmi reaching the final this season, they will be aiming for their second title, while Babar eyes his maiden trophy as captain. He has enjoyed a prolific campaign, scoring over 500 runs and inching closer to the 600-run mark. In the final, Zalmi will face debutants Hyderabad Kingsmen.

In terms of his international career, the right-handed batter has been one of Pakistan’s most dependable batters. He has accumulated 4366 runs in 61 Tests, alongside 6501 runs in 140 ODIs and 4596 runs in 145 T20Is. Across all formats, he has registered 32 centuries and 106 half-centuries, underlining his consistency and class at the highest level.

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