How many current players would make it to our All-time Indian Test XI?

[Vijy]

The title is self-explanatory. We all know that this Indian XI is almost certainly the best-ever team India has produced. Hence, if we consider players who are currently around, or have played, for India in the past 5 years, which of them do you think would merit selection in the all-time Indian Test XI? Some conditions are enclosed below:

 

1. Only a total of 11 players is allowed, i.e., it cannot be X/Y/Z in any position.

2. Imagine that a 4-test series is being played: one a pitch with high pace & bounce (test #1), another strongly aiding swing+seam (test #2), the next is a dust bowl (test #3), and the last is a flat track with slightly more assistance for spin than pace (test #4). Assume that opposition will be an all-time XI of a different country, but the opponent is not known beforehand.

3. All players selected must have participated in a min. of 20 tests.

 

Here is my choice of all-time XI with some notes:

 

1. Sunil Gavaskar: Self-explanatory

2. Virender Sehwag: Can do well in tests #1, 3, and 4. Would probably fail in test #2. Vijay Merchant is a possibility due to his tighter technique, but Sehwag can change matches in theory. Other contenders are Gambhir & Sidhu

3. Rahul Dravid: Can do well in tests #2 and #4; has a decent chance of doing well in test #3, but is somewhat suspect in test #1. Other contenders include Vengsarkar, and Laxman.

4. Sachin Tendulkar: Self-explanatory

5. VVS Laxman: This was the hardest for me to decide. Kohli at his peak (2015-18) was definitely a more dominating batter, but I am looking at players over their entire career and not just going by peaks. Moreover, I am not using merely averages, but also my own experiences of watching players, their ability to produce clutch knocks/spells, etc. Other honorary contenders are Hazare & Amarnath. I back Laxman to do well in tests #1, #3, and #4 (test #1 with some caveats), and to fail in test #2.

6. Risabh Pant: It will seem premature to put him here, but he has already played some spellbinding knocks in both India and abroad. In terms of keeping, Kirmani is better, but he cannot play at #6. This leaves us with MS Dhoni, who is the closest contender. However, since this test series is played across a variety of conditions, I feel that Pant can mature and outperform Dhoni. This is also a very tight call (Pant vs Dhoni)

7. Kapil Dev: Self-explanatory

8. Ravindra Jadeja: It will seem ridiculous to some to have "Sir" in the team. However, there are several reasons why I think he makes it: (a) absolutely lethal in test #3, (b) can play a defensive role in remaining tests as 5th bowler, (c) much-improved batting, and (d) fielding. A very tight call, with his major opponents being Ashwin (slightly more effective bowler) and Mankad (more effective batsman), followed by Bhajji. Proved very challenging to settle on the spin-AR position.

9. Mohd. Shami: I will always have a soft spot for Srinath, whose numbers suffered due to lack of support + lots of dropped catches and no DRS. However, in terms of skill, Mohd. Shami's seam position is outstanding, he has a superb SR, etc. Apart from Srinath, other contenders are: (a) Zaheer Khan and (b) Ishant Sharma [who was outstanding in 3 yr period, but not when measured across entire career]

10. Jasprit Bumrah: Bumrah's numbers may decrease with time, but he is arguably the most complete fast bowler we've had. I would back him to do well in tests #1-3, and not do badly even on test #4

11. Bhagwat Chandrasekhar: The unusual thing about Chandra is that he could win matches in SENA + WI (top team at that time), and not just India. Hence, I would back him to fire in at least 2 of the 4 tests irrespective of conditions. Had avg of 30 in Aus, 34 in Eng, 27 in NZ, and 31 in WI. Closest contenders are: (a) Kumble (more effective at home + better batsman), (b) Errapalli Prasanna, and (c) Subhash Gupte. A very tough call to make since it seems weird to leave out India's top wicket taker (Kumble).

 

In summary, we have batting till No. 8, Shami can swing his bat a bit at No. 9. We have 5 bowling options: two genuine pacers (when Shami is fit), one fast-medium swing bowler, one finger spinner, and one wrist spinner. Moreover, we have 2 excellent part-time options in SRT and Sehwag, and even a back-up keeper if Pant gets injured.

 

Our current Indian XI has 4 people represented, but it could easily be as high as 6: Kohli for VVS and Ashwin for Chandra.

 

[Majestic]

If you want the best XI simply irrespective of the conditions, then it will be :-

 

Gavaskar

Sehwag

Dravid

Tendulkar

Kohli(c)

Pant(wkt)

Kapil

Ashwin

Kumble

Shami

Bumrah

 

However, if you want players based on say,

 

1) Test 3 on Dustbowl, then Jadeja comes in for Bumrah. Rest is same. So, bowling attack - Kapil, Shami, Ashwin, Kumble, Jadeja.

 

2) Test 1 on pace and bouncy pitches, I will retain most of the names highlighted above. Can consider Mohinder Amarnath or VVS Laxman over Dravid though but depends on their form. Stick with same bowling combination as Kumble has done very well on bouncy pitches too and Ashwin also has great performance in Australia.

 

But for Test 2 on seaming/swinging wickets, there will be some obvious changes.I would like to have Zaheer in the mix. He was the player of the series in India's only win in England in this millennium in 2007 and a left arm seamer is always a great addition. I am a huge fan of peak Zaheer(2007-11) and his skills were brilliant during this phase while bowling even a lot on flat decks. Another addition would be Vijay Merchant over Sehwag. So, bowling attack in this case will be Bumrah, Shami, Zaheer, Kapil and Ashwin.

 

For flat tracks with some spin as the game progresses, you just stick with your best team. 

 

Point to Note - I find Javagal Srinath being rated a bit too highly on ICF due to his extra pace. But ultimately, he averages 36 overseas and you need pacers to win matches overseas. India won zero tests overseas in 90s with Srinath as lead pacer.

 

Hence, it is not feasible for me personally to rate Srinath very highly and he doesn't make it to any of my first three test matches. Also, he was not a good sledger. Batsman used to sledge him back.

 

 

Edited January 1, 2022 by Majestic

[Vijy]

18 minutes ago, Majestic said:

If you want the best XI simply irrespective of the conditions, then it will be :-

 

Gavaskar

Sehwag

Dravid

Tendulkar

Kohli(c)

Pant(wkt)

Kapil

Ashwin

Kumble

Shami

Bumrah

 

However, if you want players based on say,

 

1) Test 3 on Dustbowl, then Jadeja comes in for Bumrah. Rest is same. So, bowling attack - Kapil, Shami, Ashwin, Kumble, Jadeja.

 

2) Test 1 on pace and bouncy pitches, I will retain most of the names highlighted above. Can consider Mohinder Amarnath or VVS Laxman over Dravid though but depends on their form. Stick with same bowling combination as Kumble has done very well on bouncy pitches too and Ashwin also has great performance in Australia.

 

But for Test 2 on seaming/swinging wickets, there will be some obvious changes.I would like to have Zaheer in the mix. He was the player of the series in India's only win in England in this millennium in 2007 and a left arm seamer is always a great addition. I am a huge fan of peak Zaheer(2007-11) and his skills were brilliant during this phase while bowling even a lot on flat decks. Another addition would be Vijay Merchant over Sehwag. So, bowling attack in this case will be Bumrah, Shami, Zaheer, Kapil and Ashwin.

 

For flat tracks with some spin as the game progresses, you just stick with your best team. 

 

Point to Note - I find Javagal Srinath being rated a bit too highly on ICF due to his extra pace. But ultimately, he averages 36 overseas and you need pacers to win matches overseas. India won zero tests overseas in 90s with Srinath as lead pacer.

 

Hence, it is not feasible for me personally to rate Srinath very highly because he doesn't make it to any of my first three test matches. Also, he was not a good sledger. Batsman used to sledge him back.

 

 

thanks for your input. it's a good all-conditions XI. only 3 differences in our choices, and those are very understandable.

[Chakdephatte]

Bumrah is the obvious one for me. Ashwin is a must in Subcontinent. Pant, most probably, I have not seen past keepers. I will say three will make it into an all conditions eleven. 

 

Kohli has a chance depending on conditions. Not a fan of Jadeja, but either he or Shami will make it, again, depending on conditions.

[First class]

Gavaskar

Sehwag

Dravid

Tendulkar

Kohli

Dhoni

Kapil ( Captain )

Kumble

Shami

Bhumbra

Chandresekhar ( most successful Indian spinner overseas )

 

Pant has long way to go before he takes over Dhoni and even Kirmani

 

 

 

 

[Norman]

7 minutes ago, First class said:

Pant has long way to go before he takes over Dhoni and even Kirmani

 

Lmao

[Vk1]

12 minutes ago, Chakdephatte said:

Bumrah is the obvious one for me. Ashwin is a must in Subcontinent. Pant, most probably, I have not seen past keepers. I will say three will make it into an all conditions eleven. 

 

Kohli has a chance depending on conditions. Not a fan of Jadeja, but either he or Shami will make it, again, depending on conditions.

agree.. when you have Kapil Dev why pick Jadeja.. Ashwin should make it by default 

[vayuu1]

Gavaskar

Sehwag 

Dravid

Tendulkar 

Virat(c)

Pant (wk)

Kapil

Jaddu (in subcontinent)/zak (SENA)

Ash 

Shami

Bumrah

12th man :zak/jaddu

 

Gavaskar: best opener of his time,rock solid technique

Viru:can shred attacks to pieces

Dravid:the wall

Tendulkar :the god

Kohli:most all round batter of our time 

Pant:his overseas performances have been most consistent can smash as well

Kapil: unarguably the greatest allrounder India has ever produce

Ash: one of the most craftiest and intelligent spin wizard,can run through teams on spin tracks ,a smart operator on flat tracks.

Jaddu/zak depending on pitch and conditions both are crafty bowlers

Shami:can reverse it swing it and hit the pitch as well

Bumrah:takes pitch out of equation. batting depth bowling depth 

This team can give teams run for their money everywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

[Adamant]

Kohli bats at 5 amd captains the team, anyone not agreeing with that is an idiot. 

 

Gavaskar

Sehwag

Dravid

Tendulkar

Kohli (captain) 

Pant (wk) 

Kapil

Ashwin

Kumble 

Shami

Bumrah

[R!TTER]

2 hours ago, Vk1 said:

Ashwin should make it by default 

Why? He's proven time & again he isn't a Warne or even Kumble overseas, Jadeja is a much better bat & equally good in Asia as a bowler!

[vvvslaxman]

47 minutes ago, Adamant said:

Kohli bats at 5 amd captains the team, anyone not agreeing with that is an idiot. 

 

Gavaskar

Sehwag

Dravid

Tendulkar

Kohli (captain) 

Pant (wk) 

Kapil

Ashwin

Kumble 

Shami

Bumrah

 

Except Chandra in place of Kumble this is my pick. If India goes in with 4 seamers and a spinner.  Zaheer in place of Ashwin.

[NameGoesHere]

Sunny

Veeru

Dravid

SRT

Kohli

Kapil 

Kumble

Shami

Bumrah

Chandresekhar

 

wicketkeeper -  I’d consider Faroukh Engineer as my wild card.   Obviously Dhoni, Pant and Kirmani are all in there too.  But I’m going with Engineer. 

[ShoonyaSifar]

Bumrah and Shami in the main 11, Kohli and Ashwin on the bench. Too early for Pant to be there despite the Australia heroics.

 

Gavaskar, Sehwag, Dravid, Sachin, VVS, Dhoni, Kapil (c), Kumble, Bumrah, Shami, Bedi/ Zaheer

Bench: Kohli, Srinath, Ashwin

 

Edited January 1, 2022 by ShoonyaSifar

[Jay]

We would beat post apartheid GOaT saffers but not pre apartheid saffers. However pre apartheid saffers are unproven outside Australia and s.africa or England in general? 

[Jay]

Surprised no one included merchant and hazare. 

[Majestic]

11 minutes ago, Jay said:

We would beat post apartheid GOaT saffers but not pre apartheid saffers. However pre apartheid saffers are unproven outside Australia and s.africa or England in general? 

They don't have spinner to win anywhere in subcontinent.

[express bowling]

Choosing from players I have actually seen play

 

1. Gavaskar 

2. Sehwag

3. Dravid

4. Tendulkar

5. Kohli

6. Pant

7. Jadeja

8. Ashwin 

9. Srinath

10. Shami

11. Bumrah 

[kohli]

Sunny 

viru 

dravid 

sachin 

kohli (c)

pant 

kapil 

jadu/kumble 

ashwin 

bumrah 

shami 

[Vijy]

8 hours ago, sarchasm said:

Sunny

Sehwag

Drawid

Sachin

Laxman

Pant

Kapil

Jaddu

Shami/Srinath

Bumrah

Chandra

yep, virtually identical to what I preferred as well. it would be one heck of a team.

[Vijy]

3 hours ago, express bowling said:

Choosing from players I have actually seen play

 

1. Gavaskar 

2. Sehwag

3. Dravid

4. Tendulkar

5. Kohli

6. Pant

7. Jadeja

8. Ashwin 

9. Srinath

10. Shami

11. Bumrah 

an excellent lineup. My own quibble would be that both Ashwin and Jadeja are not proven overseas as Chandra was, which is why I picked him - and I've seen enough of his unique bowling. I'd also have Kapil in for his AR ability. He wasn't that much worse than Sri before his decline (let's remember he had a v. long career) and could bat and field much better.

 

Overall, an excellent team of course.

Edited January 1, 2022 by Vijy