India’s all-time Test XI

India is now in their second construction Test Championship final, demonstrating just how dominant they are in the ultimate format of the game. Of the numerous outstanding players who wore the Indian white jersey, we compiled a list with an effort to select the finest Test XI for Team India.

Top order: Virender Sehwag, Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid

The attack minded opener, Virender Sehwag continued his white ball exploits in Test cricket as he was able to score 8586 runs in 104 Test matches for India, with a strike rate of 82.23 and an average of 49.34. He has 23 100s and 32 50s to his name and it speaks volumes about his heroics in Test cricket. 

Sunil Gavaskar scored 10122 runs at an average of 51.12 in the 125 Test matches he participated in for his country, using 34 100s and 45 50s. He had a remarkable strike rate of 66.04, which is highly impressive given the lethal bowling assaults of the time. He was crucial to the Indian team in their overseas wins which were pretty rare in his era.

Dravid was a master at controlling pace and spin, and he could perform well in every environment. Dravid amassed a staggering 13288 runs at an impressive average of 52.31, thanks to 36 hundreds and 63 fifty-sixes. He also scored five double centuries, demonstrating why he is one of history’s best batters.

Middle order: Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli

Sachin Tendulkar, the most prolific run-scorer in Test history, is playing at his preferred slot at number four, where he has typically played and has amassed over 13,000 runs. Tendulkar averaged over 40 in every country that played Test cricket; he averaged 54.74 in away games versus 52.67 at home. He first topped the Test rankings in 1994, and he proceeded to hold that position throughout his career.

Virat Kohli’s exploits as the best batter for team India in the last decade are something that will go down in history. As the most successful Test captain for India, he had a win percentage of over 60%. Kohli was the ideal candidate to serve as this team’s leader. He along with Ajinkya Rahane are the only two skippers to have triumphed in Australia’s Border Gavaskar Series. Also, he made history by becoming the first Asian captain to defeat Australia in a home Test series.

All-rounders and Wicketkeeper: MS Dhoni, Kapil Dev and Ravi Ashwin

Being the finest wicketkeeper batsman to have represented India, MS Dhoni is the lone candidate for this position. With his willow and gloves, Dhoni has been instrumental in India’s success in the longest format. Due to his rock-solid one-end position, he used to gain numerous significant partnerships with the tail.

Kapil Dev took part in 131 Test matches for his nation, scoring 5248 runs with a strike rate of 94.76 and an average of 30.05. Moreover, he had 434 wickets at a 29.65 average which is amazing considering the kind of batters at that time. 

Legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who received the 2016 ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award for his steady play slots into this team. He has participated in more than 90 Test matches for his country so far. Moreover, he has five centuries to his name which can be crucial for the team.

Bowlers: Anil Kumble, Jasprit Bumrah and Bishan Singh Bedi

The iconic leg-spinner from Karnataka, Anil Kumble was automatically chosen for this XI because he has taken the most wickets for India in both Tests and ODIs. Although Kumble, an unconventional spinner, doesn’t turn the ball much, his rapid deliveries and flippers irritated the batters. He was a true gentleman of the game, combined with style and elegance.

Bumrah has become India’s Test captain in less than five years, utilising his white-ball skill to take wickets with the same fervour. He has the greatest bowling average among Indian pace bowlers (at least 20 innings) and has already taken five wickets in Australia, England, and South Africa. He is one of just three Indians to ever take a hat-trick in a Test match.

Bishen Singh Bedi played for India in 67 Test matches, taking 266 wickets with an economy rate of just 2.22 at an average of 28.71. He continues to retain the record for the most first-class wickets taken by an Indian.