Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins who is currently out of the ODI series due to lower back issues, picked an India-Australia all-time ODI XI. Ahead of the three-ODI series in Australia, Cummins chose to pick players who have retired from the ODI format. Only three Indian players made the cut in Cummins’ combined XI for the two teams.
Power-packed opening pair
For the opening spots, Cummins picked David Warner and Sachin Tendulkar. Warner retired from international cricket last year. From 27 ODIs against India, he has 1,222 runs averaging 48.88. featuring three centuries and nine fifties. Tendulkar is the highest run-scorer by a long margin in ODI clashes between the two. He has scored 3,077 runs from 71 ODIs against India at an average of 44.59, including nine centuries and 15 fifties.
Two ex-Australian captains
At no.3, he picked former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. 'Punter' is Australia's highest ODI run-scorer against India. From 59 ODIs, he has 2,164 runs at an average of 40.07, including six centuries and nine fifties. At no.4, he slotted recently retired Steve Smith. Played his last match against India in Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal, Smith has 1,383 runs from 30 ODIs against India at an average of 53.19, including five centuries and seven fifties.
Questionable all-rounder choice
As pace-bowling all-rounder, Cummins chose Shane Watson. From 19 ODIs against India, Watson has 17 wickets at an average of 35.88. He scored 717 runs at an average of 37.73, including a century and four fifties. These are not exciting numbers considering it is an all-time combined ODI XI.
The GOAT finishers
Choosing Michael Bevan was not a difficult task. From 35 ODIs against India, he scored 1,081 runs at an average of 49.13, including a century and five fifties. Bevan’s statistics are excellent considering he batted down the order.
Another finisher in the side is former India captain MS Dhoni. The wicketkeeper-batter has 1,660 runs from 55 ODIs against Australia at an average of 44.86, including two centuries and 11 fifties.
Menacing Lee, Warne’s lacklustre ODI record vs India
Brett Lee is one of three pacers in Cummins' all-time combined XI. He is the highest wicket-taker in India-Australia ODI clashes. From 32 ODIs against India, he has 55 wickets at an average of 21, featuring four fifers.
Zaheer, McGrath with new ball
The only spinner in the side is Shane Warne. However, the legendary leg-spinner does not have good numbers against India in the format. From 18 ODIs, picked 15 wickets at an average of 56.26. He was taken to the cleaners by Tendulkar often.
Zaheer Khan is the only Indian pacer in the lineup. From 22 ODIs, he has 23 wickets at an average of 46.39 against Australia. Another Australian pacer in the side is Glenn McGrath. From 25 ODIs against India, McGrath claimed 34 wickets at an average of 26.76.
Cummins’ all-time IND-AUS Combined XI from past -
David Warner, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, Shane Watson, Michael Bevan, MS Dhoni, Brett Lee, Shane Warne, Zaheer Khan, Glenn McGrath.