Because the cricketing world’s gaze stays fastened on the continued England vs India Test series of 2025, former opener and famend commentator Aakash Chopra has stirred the pot along with his collection of India’s all-time Check XI. In a transfer that has sparked debate amongst followers and consultants alike, Chopra’s lineup contains a mix of icons from totally different eras, but notably omits MS Dhoni, certainly one of India’s most celebrated captains and wicketkeepers.
Aakash Chopra picks India’s all-time Check XI
Chopra’s XI opens with the legendary Sunil Gavaskar and the explosive Virender Sehwag. Based on Chopra, this pairing affords the proper distinction, Gavaskar’s calm, methodical strategy complementing Sehwag’s fearless aggression.
“You’ll be able to’t look past two openers whose names are Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag. There isn’t a lot scope for dialogue. A whole lot of calm on one aspect, and a number of ardour on the opposite. A whole lot of hitting from one finish and solidity from the opposite,” Chopra mentioned on his YouTube channel.
At quantity three, Chopra’s selection is the ever-reliable Rahul Dravid, famously referred to as “The Wall,” whose defensive method and resilience made him a mainstay in India’s center order. Following Dravid is Sachin Tendulkar at quantity 4, a variety that Chopra believes is past debate, given Tendulkar’s monumental contributions and his standing as the best run-scorer in Check cricket.
“Who needs to be stored at No. 3? As soon as once more, there isn’t a lot debate. You may assume whether or not Cheteshwar Pujara will be there, however I can’t look past Rahul Dravid, and neither are you able to. Rahul Dravid’s identify being at No. 3 is so simple as Sachin paaji’s identify being at No. 4. So Wall is at No. 3, and at No. 4, we’ve acquired God. There isn’t a query or doubt about Paaji’s identify being at No. 4. There was a protracted section in his profession when he was carrying the whole workforce on his shoulders,” the previous Indian opener added.
Virat Kohli, one other trendy nice, slots in at quantity 5 and can be named captain of this hypothetical XI. Chopra acknowledges the competitors for this spot, with VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly being sturdy contenders, however asserts that Kohli’s impression and consistency make him indispensable. At quantity six, in a transfer that has raised eyebrows, Rishabh Pant is chosen because the wicketkeeper-batter, edging out MS Dhoni. Chopra justifies this by highlighting Pant’s outstanding achievements at a younger age and his game-changing skills within the longest format.
“Once I preserve somebody after Paaji at No. 5, that’s additionally a very simple job. That participant’s identify is Virat Kohli. You can have tried to maintain Kohli’s identify at No. 4 too, however you received’t have the ability to preserve it forward of Paaji. VVS Laxman’s identify might have additionally been there at No. 5. Sourav Ganguly can be pulling his weight, however Virat Kohli must be there at No. 5. At No. 6, I’ve stored Rishabh Pant. Once I had made the workforce three or 4 years in the past, I had stored MS Dhoni’s identify. Nonetheless, now I really feel you must put Rishabh Pant. If the man turns into a part of India’s all-time Check XI at 25 years of age, you doff your hat. He’s price his weight in gold,” the cricketer turned commentator acknowledged.
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Chopra names energy packed bowling greats and the all-round spine within the line-up
The all-rounder’s spot at quantity seven goes to Kapil Dev, a legend whose 434 wickets and over 5,000 runs make him one of many best all-rounders in cricket historical past. Chopra emphasizes that having Kapil at this place gives the workforce with each depth in batting and a formidable seam-bowling choice.
“At No. 7, I’ve acquired one of many best all-rounders the world has ever seen – Kapil paaji. If a participant like Paaji comes at No. 7, simply give it some thought. In bowling, 434 wickets, and in batting, greater than 5,000 runs. When he was taking part in, he was one of many best of that point. He is likely one of the best ever to have performed the sport,” Chopra elaborated.
For the spin division, Chopra picks Ravichandran Ashwin and Anil Kumble, each of whom boast distinctive information and the power to show matches single-handedly. Ashwin’s choice, based on Chopra, is predicated on his sheer weight of performances, whereas Kumble’s 600-plus wickets make him a pure selection. Rounding out the XI are two tempo spearheads: Jasprit Bumrah and Zaheer Khan. Bumrah, certainly one of solely two current-generation gamers on this lineup, is lauded for his speedy rise and wicket-taking capability. Zaheer is most well-liked over Javagal Srinath for his left-arm angle and knack for delivering breakthroughs in essential moments.
“At No. 8, there was a slight tussle as to who to maintain amongst Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar and Bishan Singh Bedi. I’m going with Ravichandran Ashwin. I’m simply going with the sheer weight of performances. What else do you want when you’ve got Jumbo at No. 9? Greater than 600 wickets, and you have runs. Solely two quick bowlers are left. One is Jasprit Bumrah, who’s among the many two gamers I’ve been capable of choose from the present lot. Final however not the least, it’s a toss-up between Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath. I’m going with Zaheer Khan since you get a left-armer,” Chopra concluded.
Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Kapil Dev, Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, Jasprit Bumrah, Zaheer Khan.
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