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Cricket is a sport which cannot be won as individuals because you need the whole team to contribute as a unit to win matches. However, there is a famous concept of 'pairs' in this game where two players combine together to completely take the game away from the opposition. From Dravid-Laxman to Lee-McGrath, there have been some historic pairs in world cricket who were a nightmare for the opposition. However, did you ever wonder what would be the most deadly duo of former and present players in world cricket? There could be many such dazzling pairs but let's look at five such pairs which the fans would have loved to see play together.
1. Wasim Akram - Jasprit Bumrah
The fast-bowling duo of Wasim Akram and Jasprit Bumrah could have been one of the most deadliest pairs in cricket. A left-arm swing bowler from one end complimented by a right-arm lethal pacer from the other would be a scary sight for any batsman in the world. Watching the two of them bowl together (with all their skills in the armoury) in seam-friendly English conditions would be a dream come true for all cricket lovers.
2. Adam Gilchrist - Rohit Sharma
What would be the state of bowlers if the explosive pair of Adam Gilchrist and Rohit Sharma opened together in limited-overs cricket? With the left-right combination taking the bowlers to the cleaners, not many would have fancied having a go at them. These are two of the most destructive players the game has ever seen and while the duo played together for Deccan Chargers in IPL from 2008-10, Hitman was a middle-order batsman then. This is one pairing the fans could have witnessed playing together for some time had Rohit's opening prowess been identified a few years earlier.
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3. Shane Warne - Ravichandran Ashwin
The pair of an off-spinner and a leg-spinner is often regarded as a deadly combo, especially in Test cricket. Just imagine Shane Warne and Ravichandran Ashwin bowling in tandem at Chepauk, would the batsmen even stand a chance? With the ball turning here, there and everywhere, the fans would have loved to watch this dream spin-pair unleashing their magic together on the field of cricket.
4. Sir Vivian Richards - Virat Kohli
Two of the most flamboyant middle-order batsmen in world cricket - Sir Vivian Richards and Virat Kohli would have been one of the most pleasing players to watch, especially batting in a Test at Lord's. Both the players have a tendency to play attacking cricket and with some of the most glorious shots in their books, even the opponents would just want to watch them in awe as the duo smashes the bowlers all round the park.
5. Saqlain Mushtaq - MS Dhoni
The captain-bowler duo is one of the most underrated combos in world cricket. However, MS Dhoni revolutionized the game with his leadership, especially operating with spinners like Ashwin, Jadeja etc. But, wouldn't it be amazing if MSD, standing behind the stumps had one of the best spinners in the game - Saqlain Mushtaq bowling at the other end. The clever duo would have certainly outfoxed the batsmen in their own style, which would have been a treat to watch for all the fans.