Since the turn of the century, the game of cricket has evolved a lot. The shorter formats have gained worldwide popularity. However, this hasn’t changed the popularity of Test cricket, even a little bit. With the coming of new technological advancements in the 21st century so far, the game has changed way more than it did in the early decades. There has been a sharp increase in fielding capabilities and the power-hitting that we witness today, hasn’t always been the same. Some players have played in this transitioning period and have made huge contributions to what we now witness in the game. The century so far has many contenders claiming their place on the list. However, we attempt our best to include not just the most successful but also the highest-rated players. On that note, let us pick the best world playing 11 of the 21st century.
Best World 11 of 21st century
Openers
1. Virender Sehwag
The Sultan of Multan, as he is popularly known has been the most destructive batsman ever. This helped India have a good scoring rate early in the innings, as he opened Indian batting. Sehwag has scored the highest number of triple centuries in Test cricket. In addition, he is the only opener to score 7500+ runs in both ODI and Test cricket. He has represented India in 104 Tests and 251 ODIs. Moreover, he was the first Indian to be awarded the Wisden leading Cricketer of the Year in 2008.
Batting Statistics
| Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike rate | 100s | 50s |
| 374 | 17253 | 319 | 40.31 | 92.55 | 38 | 72 |
2. Matthew Hayden
His three-consecutive centuries against India made him an instant villain for Indian cricket fans. But, nobody would deny his grandeur as a cricketer. Not just his physical but his mental strength made him a player opponents feared. Moreover, this aggressive left-hander has represented Australia in 103 Tests and 161 ODIs, scoring 8625 and 6133 runs respectively. For Australia, he still holds the record for highest individual score in Tests, scoring 380. Hayden retired from all forms of cricket in 2012.
Batting Statistics
| Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike rate | 100s | 50s |
| 273 | 15066 | 380 | 47.67 | 67.46 | 40 | 69 |
Middle-order
3. Ricky Ponting
Ponting led Australia when the team was in its best form. He is the most successful captain in cricketing history. In addition, he was the first cricketer to hit centuries in ODI cricket against all Test-playing nations back then. Ricky has played 168 Test and 375 ODIs matches for Australia. Apart from being an attacking batsman, he was also a great captain. Leading Australia to 2003 and 2007 Cricket World Cup victories and 2006 and 2009 ICC Champions Trophy wins as well. He has been considered as one of the best Australian Test players.
Batting Statistics
| Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike rate | 100s | 50s |
| 560 | 27483 | 257 | 45.95 | 68.48 | 71 | 146 |
4. Sachin Tendulkar
No person before Sachin Tendulkar and perhaps no one after him will be able to stay in form for over 2 decades. If we start talking about his records, there will be a long list to readout. Sharp tactical understanding coupled with exceptional talent made him the greatest cricketer of all time. Sachin has the highest number of centuries in cricket history, a perfect 100 tons. This feat, along with several other achievements of Sachin, seems to be unbreakable. Because it is not usual to have a playing career as long as Tendulkar did. He is to date the leading run-scorer in Test and ODI cricket.
Batting Statistics
| Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | 100s | 50s |
| 664 | 34357 | 248* | 48.52 | 100 | 164 |
5. Virat Kohli
The run-making machine Kohli is one of the most attacking contemporary batsmen. In 2011 Kohli made his international debut, and never looked behind. In the history of the game, no player has been able to channel their energies in as positive a way as Kohli does. Having represented India in 99 Tests, 250 ODIs, and 97 T20Is, he has scored 23474 runs. Moreover, Virat is the fastest to reach 12000 runs. Virat also has the most fifties (50) and the highest batting average(51.50) in T20 Internationals. He will be playing his 100th Test against Sri Lanka on 4th March 2022.
Batting Statistics
| Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike rate | 100s | 50s |
| 451 | 23474 | 254* | 54.71 | 78.63 | 70 | 121 |
Also read: Picking Best India 11 Of 21st Century
All-rounder
6. Jacques Kallis
The South African cricketer is undisputedly the number 1 all-rounder of the century. Kallis has contributed immensely with both the bat and the ball, for whichever side he has played for. Along with his tactical understanding of the game, his consistency is what makes him the great player that he is. To date, he is the only player with over 10,000 runs and 250 wickets in ODI as well as Test cricket. The remarkable cricketer has smashed 45 Tests and 17 ODI centuries.
Batting statistics
| Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike rate | 100s | 50s |
| 519 | 25534 | 224 | 49.10 | 56.30 | 62 | 149 |
Bowling Statistics
| Matches | Overs | Wickets | Maidens | Economy | 5W | 10W |
| 519 | 5209.4 | 577 | 928 | 3.56 | 7 | – |
Wicket-keeper
7. Adam Gilchrist
The famous “walker” Gilchrist has to be on the list. Apart from being a great player, balanced strategist, he was also a cricketer with high morals. Walking in the 2003 Semi-Final against SL, he had set a moral bar too high for anyone. Walking is a batter going back even though he was given not out by the umpire. In his time, he was one of the most power-packed hitters, scoring centuries in very less balls, becoming the first to hit 100 Test sixes. Gilchrist is often regarded as one of the best wicket-keepers that the game has ever witnessed. Gilchrist has the second most dismissals (905) in cricket history to his credit.
Batting Statistics
| Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike rate | 100s | 50s |
| 396 | 15461 | 204* | 38.94 | 91.43 | 33 | 81 |
Wicket-keeping Statistics
| Matches | Dismissals | Catches | Stumpings | Max dismissals inns |
| 396 | 905 | 813 | 92 | 6 |
Bowlers
8. Muthaih Muralidaran
This Sri Lankan off-breaker is one of the finest the game has ever witnessed. He holds numerous international records. Apart from his brilliant performance, what got him fame was his controversial bowling action, ICC on different occasions gave him a clean chit to continue bowling. Along with being the highest wicket-taker in Test (800) and ODI(534), he is also the overall leading wicket-taker with 1794 wickets to his credit. Having an average of over 6 wickets in Test cricket conveys what a legend he is! Fastest to reach 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, and 800 wickets. Muralidaran also holds the highest number of 5-wicket (67) and 10-wicket (22) hauls in Tests.
Bowling Statistics
| Matches | Overs | Wickets | Maidens | Economy | 5W | 10W |
| 495 | 10522 | 1347 | 1992 | 2.47 | 77 | 22 |
9. James Anderson
This English cricketer has had a very illustrious career. He is the leading wicket-taking fast bowler to date, making him an obvious pick on best world 11 of the 21st century. In 2021, he made his 162nd appearance in Tests for England, becoming the most capped English player. He is only the second cricketer after Tendulkar playing most Test matches. Although he didn’t play many T20Is, his last being played in 2009. He has been an important part of the Test team throughout his career. James Anderson played 169 Tests, 194 ODIs, and 19 T20Is, picking 640, 269, and18 wickets respectively. Apart from having numerous bowling records in his name, he also became the first person to remain not out in Test cricket on 100 instances.
Bowling Statistics
| Matches | Overs | Wickets | Maidens | Economy | 5W | 10W |
| 382 | 7733.4 | 927 | 1707 | 3.28 | 33 | 3 |
10. Dale Steyn
The Steyn Gun has been one of the important fast bowlers of South Africa in this era. He became the first pacer to pick a five-wicket haul against all test-playing nations. Moreover, Steyn dominated the ICC Test Rankings for a long time. If his career hasn’t been plagued by injuries, the records would have been much better. Dale has played 93 Tests, 125 ODIs, and 47 T20Is, picking a total of 699 wickets. In addition, Steyn has 29 five-wicket and 5 ten-wicket hauls to his credit.
Bowling Statistics
| Matches | Overs | Wickets | Maidens | Economy | 5W | 10W |
| 265 | 4313.1 | 699 | 734 | 3.78 | 29 | 5 |
11. Glenn McGrath
The Australian bowler has been very consistent with his line and length. He was a part of the Australian team which everyone had feared facing. In addition to being the most economical bowler of his time, Glenn was also one of the most successful ones. McGrath holds the record for most wickets in Cricket world Cups, picking 71 wickets in all. He ranks only the second in terms of wickets picked by fast bowlers. In the 2007 WC, he went on to become the player with most wickets, picking 26 wickets becoming the Player of the series. Not just the tournament, he became the bowler with the most wickets in a single edition, in WC history.
Bowling Statistics
| Matches | Overs | Wickets | Maidens | Economy | 5W | 10W |
| 376 | 7044.2 | 949 | 1749 | 2.93 | 36 | 3 |
These were the best world playing 11 of the 21st century. However, several other players also claimed their presence on the list, but due to the subjectiveness of the topic, only a few could be included. Regardless of being on the list, some great cricketers have transformed the game in this period of advancement in world cricket.
