Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has shared his combined India-Australia Test XI of the 21st century. Making his picks on the YouTube Channel TAB, Clarke named a formidable lineup from both nations, comprising legends from 2000 onwards. While the squad includes expected names, some notable omissions have caught the attention of fans.

For the opening pair, Clarke chose Virender Sehwag and Matthew Hayden. Both players are known for their aggressive and fearless style, which made them crucial to their teams’ success. Sehwag, with his explosive batting, complemented Hayden's powerful left-handed play, making for a formidable left-right combination.

In the middle-order, Clarke selected Ricky Ponting at No. 3, followed by Sachin Tendulkar at No. 4. Clarke emphasized that few could match Ponting's aggressive nature in the format, and Tendulkar’s greatness needs no introduction. To round off the batting core, Clarke included Virat Kohli at No. 5 and Steve Smith at No. 6, citing them as modern-day batting greats who have left an indelible mark on Test cricket.

Clarke further explained that his choices were not purely driven by statistics but were influenced by his personal experiences and deep admiration for how these players approached the game.

For the wicketkeeper spot, Clarke introduced flexibility. If the match were played in Australia, Adam Gilchrist would be his choice behind the stumps due to his prowess in Australian conditions. However, for matches in India, Clarke preferred MS Dhoni, acknowledging the former Indian captain's mastery of subcontinental conditions.

As for the bowling attack, legendary spinner Shane Warne was Clarke's sole choice for the spin department. In the pace lineup, he selected a mix of legendary and modern quicks: Glenn McGrath, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ryan Harris. The trio's blend of accuracy, swing, and pace made them crucial contributors to their respective teams’ success.

Clarke’s 12th man slot included Mitchell Johnson or Zaheer Khan, depending on the conditions, adding an extra layer of versatility to his squad.

Michael Clarke's India-Australia Combined Test XI of the Century : Virender Sehwag, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Adam Gilchrist/MS Dhoni, Shane Warne, Ryan Harris, Jasprit Bumrah, Glenn McGrath.