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Robin Uthappa’s All-Time India ODI XI Sparks Debate as Rohit Sharma Misses Out… Here’s the Team He Picked
Former India batter Robin Uthappa has revealed his greatest-ever Indian ODI XI, choosing legendary names like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, while leaving out one of India’s most successful white-ball captains, Rohit Sharma.
Cricket fans love debating the greatest-ever playing XIs, and former India batter Robin Uthappa has now added fresh fuel to that conversation.
During an Instagram “This or That” challenge, Uthappa unveiled his all-time India ODI XI, making several high-profile selections. However, one omission immediately grabbed attention — Rohit Sharma, India’s third-highest run-scorer in One-Day Internationals and one of the format’s most successful captains, did not find a place in the lineup.
The selection has already triggered discussions among cricket fans, given Rohit’s remarkable ODI record and multiple match-winning performances over the years.
Sachin and Ganguly Chosen to Open
Instead of Rohit Sharma, Uthappa opted for one of India’s most iconic opening combinations.
He selected:
The pair dominated world cricket during the late 1990s and early 2000s, building one of the most successful opening partnerships in ODI history.
Sachin remains India’s highest run-scorer in ODIs with 18,426 runs, while Ganguly accumulated 11,221 runs during his illustrious career and was recently inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
Virat Kohli Anchors the Batting
At No. 3, Uthappa had little hesitation in selecting Virat Kohli.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest ODI batters ever, Kohli currently sits second on India’s all-time ODI run charts and holds the record for the most centuries in the format, with 54 ODI hundreds.
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The middle order also featured two of India’s biggest white-ball match-winners:
Dhoni was also named captain of the side, recognising his leadership during India’s successful 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign.
Completing the batting lineup was Suresh Raina, another player known for his consistency in limited-overs cricket.
Kapil Dev Gets the Nod Over Hardik Pandya
For the pace-bowling all-rounder’s role, Uthappa selected legendary World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev instead of modern-day star Hardik Pandya.
Kapil’s contribution to Indian cricket, particularly leading the country to its first-ever World Cup triumph in 1983, continues to make him an automatic choice in many all-time XIs.
Balanced Bowling Attack
The bowling lineup combines legendary names with modern superstars.
Uthappa picked:
- Ravindra Jadeja as the spin-bowling all-rounder, ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin.
- Anil Kumble as the specialist spinner, edging past Harbhajan Singh.
- Zaheer Khan to spearhead the pace attack.
- Jasprit Bumrah as the modern fast-bowling leader.
The combination gives the side a blend of experience, wicket-taking ability, and depth in both batting and bowling.
Robin Uthappa’s All-Time India ODI XI
- Sachin Tendulkar
- Sourav Ganguly
- Virat Kohli
- Yuvraj Singh
- MS Dhoni (Captain)
- Suresh Raina
- Kapil Dev
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Anil Kumble
- Zaheer Khan
- Jasprit Bumrah
Meanwhile, Gambhir Wants Rohit to Stay Relaxed
Interestingly, Uthappa’s team announcement comes amid fresh discussions surrounding Rohit Sharma’s ODI future.
According to recent reports, India head coach Gautam Gambhir has advised Rohit to continue playing his natural attacking game instead of worrying about his place in the team ahead of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
The report suggests the Indian team management wants Rohit to bat freely without the burden of speculation over his long-term future. Gambhir reportedly believes the veteran opener performs at his best when playing instinctive cricket rather than thinking too far ahead.
The conversation gained momentum after Rohit scored just 11 runs in the opening ODI against England, although the management continues to back his experience and leadership.
As expected, Robin Uthappa’s all-time XI has already divided opinion among cricket followers, with many praising the nostalgic lineup while others questioned the exclusion of one of India’s greatest ODI openers.
