Brendon McCullum has never been the kind of cricketer who plays safe, and his Brendon McCullum All-Time XI proves it once again. Known for his fearless approach and aggressive mindset, McCullum revealed an XI that instantly set the cricket world buzzing.

But the biggest talking point?
Virat Kohli’s absence. Yes, you read that right.

Despite being one of the most prolific players of the modern era, Kohli didn’t make the cut. McCullum didn’t name-drop reasons, but his selections clearly show a preference for cricketers who shaped the way the game evolved — especially through aggression, dominance, and a certain rebellious spark.

As one senior analyst noted:
“McCullum’s XI isn’t just about stats. It’s his tribute to characters who changed cricket’s pulse.”

Why These Players? Understanding McCullum’s Selections

McCullum’s choices also reflect his own philosophy — the same fearless approach that helped redefine New Zealand cricket. In his Brendon McCullum greatest XI player selection analysis, several patterns stand out: intention, impact, and aggression.

Let’s break down how the lineup fits into this mindset, while also understanding how Brendon McCullum picked his all-time cricket lineup.

Openers: Power Meets Precision

Chris Gayle walks in as the destroyer-in-chief. McCullum’s admiration for Gayle’s ability to dismantle bowling attacks aligns perfectly with his own fearless batting style.

On the other end is Sachin Tendulkar, arguably cricket’s most complete batsman. Where Gayle brings raw force, Sachin brings grace, technique, and timeless consistency.
A perfect right-left balance, and a perfect aggressive-classic combination.

Ricky Ponting at No. 3 — A Leader McCullum Admires

Ricky Ponting’s influence as a leader and a batter made him an automatic pick. His unmatched dominance during Australia’s golden era is something McCullum has often spoken highly of.

Ponting embodies the type of cricketer who could switch roles — anchor or aggressor — depending on the situation. That flexibility is probably why he appears in almost every elite XI list.

Middle Order: Flair, Fire, and Flair Again

At No. 4, Brian Lara brings unmatched elegance. His ability to score big runs under pressure still stands as one of cricket’s greatest spectacles. McCullum’s XI values impact, and Lara delivered exactly that throughout his career.

Then comes Viv Richards, who not only commands the No. 5 spot but also captains this side. Richards’ fearless swagger lines up perfectly with McCullum’s philosophy. As one fan wrote online:
“If someone could bat like McCullum before McCullum existed, it was Sir Viv.”

At No. 6, Jacques Kallis plugs every gap a team could possibly have — runs, wickets, and unmatched discipline. McCullum has always admired players who can turn a match with more than one skill, and Kallis was perhaps the world’s best all-rounder for over a decade.

This completes a brutal middle order with layers of elegance, aggression, leadership, and balance.

Wicketkeeper & All-Round Firepower

Adam Gilchrist is impossible to ignore in a side that values attacking cricket. His explosiveness at No. 7 made him the heartbeat of one of Australia’s greatest teams, and McCullum — himself a wicketkeeper-batter — has openly credited Gilly as one of his inspirations.

Bowling Unit: A Dream Attack

McCullum’s bowling preferences are crystal clear — he wants strike bowlers who can win matches in any condition.

Shane Warne

Arguably the greatest leg-spinner of all time. No further explanation needed.

Mitchell Johnson

Hostile, fast, and game-changing. McCullum always preferred bowlers who could intimidate, and Johnson fits that template perfectly.

Tim Southee & Trent Boult

A deadly new-ball pair, and a nod to the era McCullum captained. Their swing and discipline not only complement each other but also give the XI a perfect mix of left-arm and right-arm threat.

Full List: Brendon McCullum’s All-Time XI

• Chris Gayle
• Sachin Tendulkar
• Ricky Ponting
• Brian Lara
• Viv Richards (Captain)
• Jacques Kallis
• Adam Gilchrist
• Mitchell Johnson
• Shane Warne
• Tim Southee
• Trent Boult

For more cricket stories, rankings, and bold feature pieces, also read the most interesting updates on Cricketer.io.

FAQs