My AT11

Uniqueness, warmth, rarity and competence are the four fundamental and intrinsic aspects which ensures that a person, product or service to truly stand out in the crowded, boisterous and intensely cut-throat market place. How effectively a brand differentiates and distinguishes themselves from the competing entities either by providing superior value or that singular and exceptional jaw-dropping factor that will definitely result in the brand to burn, etch and occupy a lion's share in the minds and hearts of the consumers. 

From whatever my professors had taught me during my MBA with their lectures and case studies, I have inferred and understood this much in real life. In fact, I believe that 'Mind Share' must be replaced with 'Heart Share'. I am not undermining the importance of Mindshare here. But, Heart Share is what that drives people to go bonkers and shell out a heavy premium for brands like Apple. So, why the heck am I giving a mini-enlightening session on how great brands should function?

It is as simple as scratching your adorable doggy's fluffy fur when they affectionately butt their heads onto your shoulder. There are many All Time Eleven's by cricket legends that are being constantly bombarded on a daily and weekly basis through videos and blogs. I wondered why not to give my own Best Playing XI after having religiously and devotedly followed and played the Gentleman's Game for close to three decades. I have gone one step further by not just giving the Best Test 11 but also in ODIs and T20s as well.

The lists below are not randomly based on my personal preferences or inclinations or prejudices but it is curated solely on the basis of their performances on:

a)  Merit

b) Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards

c) Value &Impact that the players have added over the years

d) The ability to soak in pressure at crucial and dire moments of the game and deliver successful results

e) Capacity to assess, adapt and adopt to the situations accordingly
f)  Produce positive outcomes at home as well as on foreign soils

g) Consistency

Nine day wonders and flash in the pans will not be definitely there in the list as IMHO reliability, dependability, duration and frequency of consistency is as much important to a player to be THE GO-TO person in the team as the player's skill, talent and innate potential.

Just like how we go to a restaurant and order an entree at first, the first in line is the T20 list.

Best T20 11:

1. David Warner

2. Brendon McCullum

3. Virat Kohli

4. AB De Villiers

5. Kevin Pietersen

6. MS Dhoni (c&wk)

7. Dwayne Bravo

8. Chris Morris

9. Sunil Narine

10. Samuel Badree

11. Lasith Malinga

I have considered these players based on my observable fact that it is better to have a player to score minimum 30 runs off 20 balls in, say for example, 5 out of 8 matches than a person scoring a knock-your-socks-off innings of 100 runs off 40 balls in an once in a blue moon manner.

So, One down. Two to go.

Best ODI 11:

1. Sanath Jayasuriya

2. Sachin Tendulkar

3. Ricky Ponting

4. Kevin Pietersen

5. AB De Villiers

6. MS Dhoni (c&wk)

7. Michael Bevan

8. Wasim Akram

9. Shane Bond

10. Muttiah Muralitharan

11. Glenn McGrath

It was extremely tough to not to accommodate Sehwag or Hayden as an opener. But, Jayasuriya is a relatively better bowler and fielder than the dashing openers. Likewise, between Waqar Younis and Akram was like choosing a Chocolate Truffle and Haagen Dazs Icecream. Akram is a relatively better bat than Younis which helped me to tip the scale in his favor. Also, Kallis, Dravid or Ponting in number 3 slot?  Ponting's phenom strike rate amongst the three made him to be a cut above them. Similarly, the swashbuckling keeper Gilchrist had to be given the boot as Dhoni is in the picture with his astute cricketing brains, icy coolness and beautiful brawn.

The best in the big daddy of a purist's delight:

Best Test 11: 

1. Rahul Dravid

2. Alastair Cook

3. Ricky Ponting (c) 

4. Brian Lara

5. Sachin Tendulkar

6. Adam Gilchrist (wk)

7. Wasim Akram

8. Shane Warne

9. Curtly Ambrose

10. Glenn McGrath

11. Muttiah Muralitharan

As no one could be as flexible and tenacious as Rahul Dravid, I moved him to the top slot ahead of Hayden or Amla or Graeme Smith for the openers contention. And of course, in the extreme worst case scenario that others fail, everyone will have the pollyannic feel and hope that The Wall is out there to defend and shield them from any adverse situation even if eternity crumbles down likes a cookie..!

PS:

This Best list is post the 1990s as anything before then would mean that there were absolute legends, geniuses, magicians, mavens, greats as Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Thomson, Lillee, Border, Botham, Martin Crowe, Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, the intimidating express WI Quartet etc. 

I did not include these players in the Best category as the playing conditions in those days were completely alien from today's better, healthier, fitter, quicker, faster, safer, superior and smarter ways of playing the game due to sophisticated technologies, savvy physios, introduction and enforcement of newer laws and rules for batsmen and bowlers.