Glenn Maxwell’s All-Time ODI XI Sparks Fury: Sachin Tendulkar Initially Snubbed, English Stars Axed!

Glenn Maxwell, Australia’s enigmatic all-rounder, has ignited a global cricket debate with his bold selection of an all-time ODI XI. The team, which exclusively features players from India, Australia, and England, has left fans and pundits stunned—especially after Maxwell initially omitted the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in favor of his compatriot David Warner .

Glenn Maxwell’s All-Time ODI XI: The Final Lineup

Following a rule limiting the number of Australian players, Maxwell was forced to revise his initial picks. The final XI is a fascinating blend of Indian batting royalty and Australian grit, with a notable and complete absence of English talent .

Position	Player	Nationality
Opener	Rohit Sharma	India
Opener	Sachin Tendulkar	India
No. 3	Virat Kohli	India
Middle Order	Ricky Ponting	Australia
Middle Order	Michael Bevan	Australia
Wicketkeeper	MS Dhoni	India
All-rounder	Shane Watson	Australia
All-rounder	Glenn Maxwell	Australia
Bowler	Mitchell Starc	Australia
Bowler	Brett Lee	Australia
Bowler	Shane Warne	Australia

Why Glenn Maxwell’s All-Time ODI XI Is So Controversial

The most explosive aspect of Maxwell’s team is his choice of wicketkeeper. He picked India’s MS Dhoni over Australia’s own Adam Gilchrist, a decision that is sure to ruffle feathers back home. “Dhoni’s calmness under pressure and his finishing ability were just unmatched,” Maxwell is believed to have reasoned .

Even more shocking is the complete exclusion of any English players. Despite the likes of Joe Root, Kevin Pietersen, and James Anderson being available, Maxwell’s final XI is a pure India-Australia affair. This has left the English cricketing community questioning the criteria .

The Sachin Tendulkar U-turn

Maxwell’s initial instinct to choose David Warner over the “God of Cricket” Sachin Tendulkar sent shockwaves through the cricket world. However, the self-imposed cap on Australian players meant he had to make a tough call. In a move that probably saved him from a global backlash, he reinstated Tendulkar, recognizing his unparalleled ODI legacy .

This final team features a dominant Indian top order—Sharma, Tendulkar, and Kohli—followed by a powerful Australian middle and lower order. It’s a team built for both stability and explosive power, reflecting Maxwell’s own aggressive style of play.

Glenn Maxwell’s All-Time ODI XI: Fan Reactions

Unsurprisingly, social media has erupted. Indian fans are celebrating the strong representation of their stars, while Australian fans are debating the Dhoni-over-Gilchrist call. English fans, meanwhile, are left wondering if their ODI greats were even considered.

One thing is for sure: Maxwell’s selection has provided the perfect recipe for a heated cricket debate that will rage on for weeks.

Sources

• Times of India: Glenn Maxwell drops a bomb! Picks all-time ODI XI, leaves star players out