Pakistan's premier batter and former all-format skipper, Babar Azam, recently revealed his T20 World XI, drawing attention for some bold omissions and surprising inclusions.

Speaking on the Babar Azam Podcast 2025 hosted by Zalmi TV, the stylish right-hander left out Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah from his lineup but named Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav in his chosen eleven.

Rohit, India's most experienced T20 international cricketer and the highest run-scorer in the format, was selected to open the innings alongside Pakistan's white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan.

Rohit, who guided India to their second T20 World Cup title in 2024, boasts an impressive record of 4231 runs in 159 matches, including five centuries and 32 fifties. He led the Men in Blue during a 17-year-long T20I career.

At No. 4 in the batting order, Babar placed India's current T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav. Known for his innovative strokeplay, Surya has represented India in 83 T20Is, amassing 2598 runs with remarkable consistency. He took over as T20I skipper in July 2024 and has since been a key figure in the squad.

Apart from Rohit and Surya, Babar's XI featured two more Pakistani players-Fakhar Zaman, slotted at No.

3, and Rizwan. England's Jos Buttler, former limited-overs captain, was named at No. 5. South Africa's David Miller and Marco Jansen filled the middle-order slots at No. 6 and No. 7, offering both power-hitting and all-round utility.

Afghanistan's Rashid Khan was picked as the lone frontline spinner, while the pace attack was packed with firepower. Australia's Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc were included alongside England's Mark Wood to complete a potent fast bowling trio.

The absence of Kohli and Bumrah raised eyebrows. Kohli, who is currently representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 season, retired from T20Is with 4188 runs in 125 matches.

His farewell knock, a match-winning 76 off 59 balls in the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa, remains unforgettable.

Meanwhile, Bumrah, who won both the ICC Cricketer of the Year and the T20 World Cup 2024 Player of the Tournament awards, had a stellar run in the tournament, scalping 15 wickets in 8 matches, including a game-changing spell against Pakistan in New York.

Babar Azam's T20 World XI: Rohit Sharma (India), Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan), Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan), Suryakumar Yadav (India), Jos Buttler (England), David Miller (South Africa), Marco Jansen (South Africa), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Pat Cummins (Australia), Mitchell Starc (Australia), Mark Wood (England).