All-time combined India-New Zealand ODI XI

#2 Brendon McCullum (wk)

Brendon McCullum was a dashing batsman and a great entertainer of the crowds

Brendon McCullum, who retired this year, is one of New Zealand cricket’s most belligerent batsmen and an entertainer to the core. Regardless of the position he batted in, McCullum was implacable. He hammered the ball as hard as anybody else and showed utter disdain for the bowlers.

McCullum’s fearless approach of attacking the bowlers ruthlessly right from the word go made him a bowler’s nightmare. Even in test cricket, McCullum followed the same carefree style of batting.

His hard-hitting powers were on best display in the 2015 World Cup when he guided the Kiwis to the final of the tournament. Both as a captain and a batsman, McCullum played a pivotal role in the dream run of the Kiwis that could be halted only in the final by a dominant Australian side.

While setting a target or chasing, he put the opponents firmly on the back foot very early on in the match and handed New Zealand a massive advantage by batting at a breakneck pace.

For a batsman of his ability, a batting average of 30 in ODIs seems a bit on the lower side but McCullum is chosen to open the innings along with Sachin Tendulkar for his belligerence. McCullum is a very fine wicket keeper too and hence will don the wicket-keeping gloves for this dream team.