Dwayne Bravo reveals his all-time T20 World XI; no place for Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers

Legendary West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo appeared on the Beard Before Wicket podcast to discuss his transition from a global playing icon to his new high-profile mentoring role. During the wide-ranging conversation with hosts Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, the 42-year-old was asked to assemble a ‘dream team’ that he believes represents the absolute pinnacle of the shortest format.

Bravo, who recently joined the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) support staff for the 2026 season, curated a lineup that balances the raw, intimidating power of the Caribbean with the technical brilliance and tactical genius he witnessed during his record-breaking career. His selections offer a fascinating look into the mind of a player who has won more T20 titles than anyone else in the history of the sport.

West Indies batting juggernaut balanced by Indian technical mastery

The top order of Bravo’s XI is a terrifying prospect for any bowling attack, led by the explosive opening combination of Chris Gayle and Shane Watson. Bravo explained that this left-right pairing provides the perfect aggression for the powerplay, with both players possessing the ability to decide a match within the first six overs.

To provide the necessary stability amidst this carnage, he placed Virat Kohli at number three, describing him as the ‘ultimate anchor’ required to navigate difficult middle-overs phases. The middle order then transitions back into pure destructive power with the inclusion of Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard, creating a bridge to a finish spearheaded by the legendary MS Dhoni. Bravo notably described Dhoni as his ‘brother from another mother,’ emphasizing that Dhoni’s tactical calm and finishing ability make him the undisputed heart of the team’s batting structure.

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A statistical powerhouse of global bowling specialists

Bravo’s bowling unit is an extraordinary collection of specialists, featuring a group of players who have collectively claimed thousands of wickets across the globe. At the forefront is the spin duo of Rashid Khan and Sunil Narine, whom Bravo considers the two most difficult bowlers to read in the history of the format. He highlighted Rashid’s relentless wicket-taking ability and Narine’s uncanny economy rate as the perfect middle-overs squeeze.

For the death-overs attack, he chose the pioneer of the modern-day yorker, Lasith Malinga, alongside himself and the raw pace of Andre Russell. Bravo noted that this unit doesn’t just rely on physical skill but on a collective ‘cricket intelligence,’ explaining that with Malinga and himself at the death, no target would be safe. This selection serves as a final tribute to the Champion’ era of cricket, where specialists reigned supreme and redefined how T20 games are won.

Dwayne Bravo picks his all-time T20 World XI

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