Stuart Broad's Combined XI (Source: @BrindaGhosh3/x.com, @englandcricket/x.com)
The first edition of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy ended with a dramatic draw as Team India’s last-minute excellence decided the series’ fate. The five-match Test series delivered gripping red-ball action, as both sides brought their A-game to the field.
Even after the series ended, the cricket world couldn’t stop talking. In a recent podcast, former English great Stuart Broad unveiled his combined playing XI from the high-octane series.
India Openers Win Broad’s Heart
In the recently concluded Test series, fans enjoyed the thrilling red-ball drama as the longest format showed its ultimate grace. Players from both sides brought out their best to have an edge in the series, and the cricket world witnessed some memorable knocks. But after the series ended, the former England bowler Stuart faced some off-field bouncers from Jos Buttler.
Speaking on the ‘For The Love of Cricket’ podcast, Broad picked his combined playing XI from the series, and his picks turned heads. While openers from both camps delivered standout performances, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul stole the spotlight, outshining their English counterparts
Throughout the series, they stood tall and gave the side a strong foundation. Broad relied on the duo for the opening position. Filling the next four slots, he backed his fellow countrymen, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ben Stokes, who firmly cemented their spots in the playing XI.
Broad Picks Root Over Gill
In the entire series, Shubman Gill raised his bat on high as he ended up being the highest run scorer of the series with 754 runs. On the other side, veteran English batter Joe Root kept his domination alive and delivered exceptional knocks whenever England needed that. Choosing anyone between the duo was a hard job for the English legend, but he ended up choosing Root.
Fading all the glorious knocks, Rishabh Pant’s grit shone as he batted for India in the fourth Test with a fractured toe and scored a half-century. Impressed by his fearless display in Manchester, Broad had no hesitation in naming Pant as the wicketkeeper in his combined XI.
Indian Pacers Conquer In Broad’s XI
In a crucial choice for the lower order, Broad’s pick turned heads. In the entire series, Ravindra Jadeja showcased his batting domination as the all-rounder scored 516 runs in five matches. But Stuart Broad picked Washington Sundar for that position.
In his pace bowling unit, the Indian pacer conquered as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj secured their place. Jasprit Bumrah weaved his magic in just three matches, while Mohammed Siraj emerged as the series’ highest wicket-taker with relentless consistency. Along with them, England’s pace ace Jofra Archer secured his place in the playing XI.
Broad’s Combined Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Jofra Archer, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
.jpg?type=mq "Rishabh Pant Helps")
