South Africa’s former great Hashim Amla recently unveiled his all-time One Day International (ODI) XI on a YouTube podcast, sparking immediate discussion among cricket fans, especially for one surprising omission. Amla’s selection includes a range of the game’s greatest stalwarts, including three India icons, all of whom have been selected for their notable contributions to the 50-over format. The team is built on the foundation of great batting skills, tremendous all-round talent and a well-balanced bowling attack, featuring two of the greatest spinners to play the game and two iconic fast bowlers.
Hashim Amla’s all-time ODI XI and notable Indian inclusions
Amla’s selection for his all-time ODI dream team is made up of the top run-scorers and biggest match-winners of the last few decades, with three great Indian players securing their places. The opening pair is dominated by the greatest players of all time: India’s ‘master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar and former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman adam gilchristAmla chose the great batsman of India at the important position of number three. Virat KohliWho remains the only active international cricketer in the entire XI and holds the all-time record for most ODI centuries (51).
The middle order is anchored by the brilliant talent of the former West Indies captain brian lara and Amla’s long-time South African teammate AB de VilliersWhich is listed at number five. The lower middle order has been strengthened by two more stalwarts: the greatest all-rounder in the history of the game, South Africa’s jacques calis He is at number six, followed by the legendary finisher and former captain of Team India. ms dhoniWas ranked at number seven as the designated wicketkeeper. The selection underlines the impact that generations have had on the ODI format of Indian cricket, with players from the 90s, 2000s and the modern era all finding a place in this highly elite XI.
Also read: IPL 2026: Will Rohit Sharma play for KKR? Mumbai Indians finally break silence on transfer rumors
Rohit Sharma’s ignorance and bowling attack
The most notable point of contention and the biggest surprise in Amla’s all-time ODI XI selection is the exclusion of the modern Indian opening batsman. Rohit SharmaDespite his illustrious and record-breaking career in the format. Rohit is the only batsman in the history of ODI cricket to score three double centuries, including the all-time highest individual score of 264, the announcement of which led to some reaction and disappointment from fans.
However, Amla’s decision to name Tendulkar and Gilchrist as opening batsmen meant that there was no place available at the top of the order for the Indian captain. Amla’s bowling attack is a masterclass in balance, featuring two of the most successful spinners in cricket history: Sri Lanka’s spin magician Muttiah Muralitharan And the charismatic Australian leg spinner shane warne,
This spin duo is complemented by two iconic fast bowlers who epitomized aggression and skill in their era: Pakistan’s famous left-arm swing bowler wasim akram And Amla’s formidable South African teammate dale steynWhich completes the pace attack. The selection of these four bowlers provides the XI with the right mix of high wicket-taking ability, control in the middle overs and lethal pace and swing with the new and old balls.
