Stuart Broad Names Exclusions in His Combined XI for Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy
Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad recently shared his combined XI from the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, leaving out two standout players: Indian captain Shubman Gill and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. This surprised many fans, especially since both had significant impacts during the series.
In an episode of the podcast ‘For the Love of Cricket,’ hosted by former England captain Jos Buttler, Broad discussed his selections from the five-match Test series. When it came to choosing between Shubman Gill and Joe Root for the No. 4 position, Broad explained his choice favoring Root. He humorously mentioned his relationship with Root, stating, “I have Root’s mobile number, and I don’t want the grief; I pick Root.”
Gill, in his debut as Indian Test captain, not only led in runs during the series but also achieved several records. He scored 754 runs in ten innings with an impressive average of 75.40. His remarkable innings included a record 269 at Edgbaston, which became the highest score for an Indian Test captain, along with a solid 161 in the second innings. With four centuries to his name, he rightfully earned the title of Player of the Series for India.
Becoming the first Asian batter to score over 700 runs in a single series in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia), Gill also joined an elite club of only three Test captains to achieve four centuries in one series, following legends like Sir Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar.
Regarding his choice, Broad clarified that Root’s experience at the No. 4 spot made him a better fit than Gill. He later posted on social media, “Gill deserves to be in the XI, just not in place of Root,” emphasizing the importance of each player’s designated role.
Root, who has consistently performed throughout his career, stands as England’s second-highest run-scorer in Test history, sitting just behind Sachin Tendulkar, with 39 Test centuries.
On the other hand, Jadeja had a commendable series, scoring 516 runs at an average of 86.00, including five half-centuries and a century. As a bowler, he took seven wickets and played a crucial role in India’s recovery after trailing 1-2 in the series. Despite his impressive performance, Broad opted for England’s Ben Stokes, citing Stokes’s contributions with the ball and how he better balanced the team.
Stuart Broad’s Combined Best XI from the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes (Captain)
- Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
- Washington Sundar
- Jofra Archer
- Mohammed Siraj
- Jasprit Bumrah
This exciting showcase of talent reflects the competitive spirit of the series and highlights the performances that left a lasting impression on fans.
