The ideal Test XI of cricketers who made their debut in the first decade of the 21st century

#3 Younis Khan (2000- 2017)

Younis Khan after playing a marathon innings of 218 at the Oval in 2016

In a frantic and frenetic cricket world of Pakistan, Younis Khan brought about a soothing sense of calm for a better part of the 21st century- a lull amidst the storm. His hop-shuffle across the stumps might have offset the purists but his numbers were bloated as well.

Having made his debut against Sri Lanka in 2000, Younis Khan went on to churn out 10,099 runs over a period of 17 years, forming the bedrock along with Mohammed Yousuf and Misbah ul Haq in a fledgling Pakistani line-up.

Younis ticked almost all boxes that earmark batsmen in the pantheon of batsmanship- the conversion rate. Out of 67 times that Younis crossed the 50-run mark, he converted 34 of those into hundreds and six of them into double tons - joint most by a Pakistani alongside Javed Miandad.

His 218 at the Oval in 2016 was a testimony of his grit, tenacity, and of course his supremacy over spin bowling, which helped Pakistan level the 4-match series after he had battled with poor form leading into the Test match.

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#4 Kumar Sangakkara (Captain)

The sixth leading run-scorer in Test cricket

A Test batting average of 57.14 and the joint fastest to reach 10,000 runs alongside Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Charles Lara, Sangakkara was the mainstay of the Sri Lankan batting for a major part of the 21st century. Having made his debut in 2000, one of the most endearing aspects of Sangakkara was his versatility.

His record-breaking 624-run partnership with Mahela Jayawardene epitomized his ability to make full use of ideal batting conditions while his counter-attacking century on a green Wellington pitch in 2006-07 or a sublime 192 at Hobart testified his ability to adjust to difficult conditions.

Besides the truckload of runs that Sangakkara scored throughout his career it was the way that he conducted himself both on and off the field that made him a great ambassador of the game. In a 15-year old career that culminated against India in 2015, Sangakkara became the youngest person to deliver the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdery Lecture at Lord's in 2011.

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#5 AB de Villiers (2004- 2018)

De Villiers was South Africa's leading run scorer in his last two Test series against India and Australia

Some cricketers' rise to the top constitutes hours of hard work, patience, tenacity while others have a natural flair and a plethora of raw talent - Abraham Benjamin de Villiers is one of those rare breeds who has all the aforementioned attributes tuned to the zenith.

In 300 international games, de Villiers scored 20,000 runs but it wasn't the magnitude of runs that defines AB; it is the manner in which he got 'em. On some days he would reverse scoop a Dale Steyn in a T20 match while on other he would be playing a perfect 'block' (read Adelaide 2012) to salvage a hard-fought draw for his side. De Villiers was a darling of the masses; the number of admirers he had transcended cultural and ethnic boundaries to an extent that a home side would feel out of place.

De Villiers brought curtains to his pulsating 14-year-old career but not before playing a substantial role (leading run-scorer for South Africa in his last two series) in South Africa's triumphant home summer against India and Australia.

Honorable Mentions:- Kevin Pieterson, England (2005-2014), Michael Clarke, Australia (2004-2015)