Multiple cricket experts and former players have recently shared their picks for the best Test XI of the 21st century. While there are some variations, several names appear consistently across expert selections and fan discussions. Below is a summary of the most prominent XIs chosen by Kane Williamson, Matthew Hayden, and other cricket analysts, as well as a consensus XI based on recurring selections.
| Picked by Kane Williamson | Picked by Matthew Hayden |
| Matthew Hayden | Alastair Cook |
| Virender Sehwag | David Warner |
| Ricky Ponting | Jacques Kallis |
| Sachin Tendulkar | Brian Lara (captain) |
| Steve Smith | Virat Kohli |
| AB de Villiers | VVS LaxmanAdam Gilchrist (wicketkeeper) |
| MS Dhoni (captain & wicketkeeper) | Shane Warne |
| Dale Steyn | Adam Gilchrist (wicketkeeper) |
| Shoaib Akhtar | Pat Cummins |
| Glenn McGrath | Brett Lee |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | James Anderson |
Notable Points
Openers: Matthew Hayden, Virender Sehwag, Graeme Smith, and Alastair Cook are the most common choices.
Middle Order: Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis, and AB de Villiers are frequently picked.
Wicketkeeper: Adam Gilchrist and MS Dhoni are the top choices, with some preferring Kumar Sangakkara for his batting prowess.
All-rounder: Jacques Kallis is almost universally selected.
Bowlers: Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath, Dale Steyn, James Anderson, and Shoaib Akhtar feature prominently.
Captains: Graeme Smith, Brian Lara, and MS Dhoni are common captain picks
This lineup reflects a blend of dominance, longevity, and impact in Test cricket since 2000, as recognized by players, experts, and fans alike.
