AB de Villiers picks World XI: Virat Kohli In - Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar Jack Kallis, Brian Lara Not Included!

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Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers recently revealed his all-time World XI while leading South Africa Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025.

His selection notably doesn't consist of legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, which has surprised many fans. De Villiers included only two Indians in his lineup: his close friend Virat Kohli and the iconic wicketkeeper MS Dhoni.

His World XI features opening batsmen Graeme Smith and Matthew Hayden, with Ricky Ponting at number three. The middle order has Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson, with Dhoni at number seven as the wicketkeeper.

The bowling attack is comprised of pacers Mitchell Johnson and Mohammad Asif along with spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. No all-rounders were chosen, limiting frontline bowling options to four, with Williamson, Kohli, and Smith expected to bowl part-time. Glenn McGrath is named twelfth man. Interestingly, he decided to keep Asif in his team, a former Pakistan bowler who was indeed a fantastic pacer, but got banned for taking part in spot fixing in 2010.

This World XI exclusion of legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid, and Jasprit Bumrah from India-and the absence of any players from England or West Indies-stood out as a major talking point. Tendulkar's absence, in particular, left fans stunned, given his status as one of cricket's greatest batters of all time. Interestingly, the former RCB player also decided to keep out Jack Kallis, probably the greatest all-rounder the game ever had.

AB De Villiers' World XI

Graeme Smith, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, MS Dhoni, Mitchell Johnson, Mohammad Asif, Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne.

12th Man: Glenn McGrath