Wednesday, July 11, 2007

All time best Indian Test Cricket Team

After reading and learning a lot these days about all time best Indian Cricket Team i contemplated for a while and then i thought to pen down my Team. This series is divided in two parts ODI team and Test team with my best possible reasons.

My all time Test Team

1. Sunil Gavaskar (Captain)
2. Vinoo Mankad (all-rounder)
3. Vijay Hazare (all-rounder)
4. Rahul Dravid
5. Sachin Tendulkar
6. Mohammad Azharuddin
7. Farokh Engineer (Wicket Keeper)
8. Kapil Dev (all-rounder and vice captain)
9. Amar Singh (all-rounder)
10.Anil Kumble
11. Subhash Gupte

12th Man Sourav Ganguly (as an all-rounder)

There was a close fight between Vijay Merchant and Vinoo Mankad for an opening slot, and Vijay Merchant got the place because of his all round abilities. There was no contest for second slot and Gavaskar was right there.
There were close fights between Vengsarkar, Dravid, Hazare, Sachin, Azhar, Laxman, Mohinder Amarnath and Ganguly for middle order. Dravid and Sachin were obvious choices. Vijay Hazare got the place because of his all round ability. After that there was a close call between Azhar, Vengsarkar, Ganguly, Amarnath and Laxman for remaining 1 place. They all are equally capable batsmen (I am slightly unjust to Azhar). Taking Ganguly as an all rounder will add variety to our bowling attack as he is rather susceptible to fast bowling but he is equally good against Spin bowling. Azhar got the place because of his acrobatic fielding and thus he was able to beat Vengsarkar, Laxman, Amarnath and Ganguly. We need a proper full time keeper. Dravid wont work so i am taking Farokh Engineer over Syed Kirmani and M.S. Dhoni.
There were no great fights for the bowlers. All the bowlers deserved their places.

I have given Captaincy to Gavaskar and Vice Captaincy to Kapil Dev. Sourav Ganguly is the 12th Man in the team but he has been taken for his all round abilities so he has to work really hard otherwise place may got to either Laxman ,Dilip Vengsarkar or Mohinder Amarnath.

Wait for the next article for the the all time Best Indian ODI team.

No comments: