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In a recent exclusive interview to CricTracker, Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib has offered a fascinating glimpse into his cricketing mind by revealing his all-time India-Afghanistan combined XI. The selection, which has been shared widely across social media platforms, is a bold and unconventional one, notably omitting two of India’s most revered cricketing icons, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni.
Gulbadin Naib’s all-time India-Afghanistan combined XI
The team curated by Naib, ahead of Asia Cup 2025, is built on a clear strategic foundation, beginning with his choice of openers. He explained his thought process for the top of the order, stating: “I would like to go with the left-right opening combination – Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Yashasvi Jaiswal to open the innings. Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Mohammad Nabi, and Hardik Pandya are the next to occupy my XI,” This choice of a left-right hand combination extends to the middle order as well, providing balance and a challenge for opposing bowlers.
The team features a formidable all-rounder core with Afghanistan’s veteran Mohammad Nabi, India’s dynamic Hardik Pandya, and a tough choice between Azmatullah Omarzai and Ravindra Jadeja. Naib also went on to name his preferred bowlers, with a strong tilt toward his compatriots. He continued, “Rashid Khan will captain my side. One player between Azmatullah Omarzai and Ravindra Jadeja as an all-rounder. Jasprit Bumrah, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Naveen-ul-Haq are other players part of my all-time XI.” By naming Rashid as captain, Naib has cemented his preference for a leader from his own country, showcasing the depth of talent and leadership within the Afghanistan squad.
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Absence of iconic Indian legends MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma
The most talked-about aspect of Naib’s selection is undoubtedly the absence of two of Indian cricket’s biggest names, Rohit and Dhoni. While Naib’s choices were deliberate and based on specific team-building principles, the omission of such celebrated figures has sparked significant debate. The decision to pick the young and aggressive Jaiswal over Rohit as an opener is a testament to Naib’s preference for a modern, fearless approach, while the choice of Gurbaz as wicketkeeper-batter, in place of the legendary Dhoni, further highlights his focus on current form and white-ball dynamism.
This bold move showcased Naib’s independent thinking and his willingness to make unconventional decisions that go against popular opinion. His choices also reflect a strong sense of pride in his own country’s cricketing talent, as he gave spots to three Afghan bowlers, Mujeeb, Naveen and the captain Rashid, leaving out other accomplished Indian bowlers. The resulting XI is a fascinating and conversation-starting team that challenges traditional notions of who belongs in an ‘all-time’ squad.
Also READ: Afghanistan unveils preliminary squad ahead of UAE T20I Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025
