Cheteshwar Pujara Names Current ODI World XI

The veteran cricketer has selected an eleven-man international squad featuring captain Rohit Sharma.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Soccer

Expressive painting of a cricket bat and ball on a grass pitch, representing the selection of an international cricket squad.
Cheteshwar Pujara has finalized his hypothetical ODI World XI, featuring captain Rohit Sharma and a diverse group of international cricket stars. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Cheteshwar Pujara has officially unveiled his current ODI World XI, assigning batting positions and naming Rohit Sharma as the team captain. The squad is comprised of eleven players representing five different nations.

Why it matters

The team composition highlights the current depth of international cricket talent across major cricketing nations. Pujara prioritized specific player roles to balance the batting lineup and tactical leadership for the hypothetical XI.

The roster features 11 total players drawn from five different nations. This selection coincides with the upcoming five-match ODI series between India and New Zealand.

The players

Cheteshwar Pujara

He is an experienced professional cricketer who has represented India in international matches across multiple formats.

Rohit Sharma

He is a prominent Indian cricketer who serves as the designated captain for this World XI squad.

Virat Kohli

He is a world-renowned Indian batsman included in the roster based on his sustained performance in limited-overs formats.

Joe Root

He is a leading English batsman recognized globally for his technical consistency and run-scoring record.

Jasprit Bumrah

He is an elite Indian pace bowler who brings specialized bowling experience to the selected World XI.

The details

The squad includes Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Shai Hope, KL Rahul, Marco Jansen, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Matt Henry, and Jayden Seales. Notably, high-profile omissions include Suryakumar Yadav, Harry Brook, Shreyas Iyer, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Timeline

  1. The squad selection was finalized and publicized on October 26, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This roster follows a tactical structure modeled after the positional requirements seen in the ICC ODI World Cup selection protocols. The selection highlights the ongoing global competition for spots ahead of the five-match series between India and New Zealand.

The exclusion of players like Suryakumar Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal provides a clear look at where Pujara perceives current performance gaps. This lineup serves as a benchmark for fantasy cricket valuations and performance metrics leading into the India-New Zealand series.

The takeaway

Pujaras selections demonstrate a specific preference for tactical balance over pure individual output. Fans can track how these chosen players perform in their upcoming fixtures compared to the omitted stars.

Further reading

For more on international squad compositions, visit the Soccer section.