Brett Lee reveals his all-time Asian T20I team; Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav fails to make the cut

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Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has made headlines by selecting his all-time Asian T20I team, a move that has sparked widespread debate among fans and pundits. His 12-member squad, revealed on Fox Cricket, features a blend of established Indian stars and players from other Asian nations, while controversially leaving out a few big names. Lee’s selections highlight his preference for certain player attributes, from explosive power to seasoned experience, and the list stands as a bold and unconventional take on the continent’s best T20 talent. It’s a roster that celebrates both the famous and the lesser-known figures who have left their mark on the shortest format of the game.

Lee’s team includes a dominant presence of Indian players, with five stars making the cut. Lee opted for the formidable duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as his openers, a choice he justified by their all-time run-scoring records and their monumental roles in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory. The middle order and finishing roles were entrusted to legends MS Dhoni (also captain), who led India to the inaugural T20 World Cup title, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya, celebrated for his death-overs heroics in the 2024 final.

Lee’s team also features the lethal fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who was the Player of the Tournament in the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, the most talked-about decisions were the omissions of Suryakumar Yadav as well as Pakistan’s Babar Azam, with Lee preferring Mohammad Rizwan for his consistency and anchoring abilities at the top of the order.

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The former Australian pacer assembled a diverse and potent bowling attack to complement his powerful batting lineup. For spin-bowling duties, Lee selected two of the most effective spinners in the T20 format: Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, both of whom hold impressive wicket tallies in their careers. The pace attack is equally formidable, with Pakistan’s Haris Rauf included for his raw pace and exceptional skill in the death overs.

In a surprising move that showcased his appreciation for a broader range of talent, Lee also included three players from associate nations. Hong Kong’s Babar Hayat earned a spot, as did the UAE duo of Amjad Javed and Mohammad Naveed. These unconventional selections add a unique flavor to the team, demonstrating Lee’s recognition of players who have performed exceptionally well, even if they haven’t received the same level of global spotlight as their counterparts from full-member nations.

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