Picking an all-time India Test XI is undoubtedly a difficult task, given the country’s rich cricketing history and the number of legendary players who have represented the national team. However, former India batter Ajinkya Rahane recently took on this challenge by naming his strongest XI, with one important condition: his selection included only cricketers he had played alongside in international or domestic cricket. His choices featured several celebrated names, including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, while modern-day greats were surprisingly left out.
Ajinkya Rahane reveals his all-time India Test XI
Stylish openers
Rahane opted for Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan to open the innings in his all-time India Test XI. Both batters made significant contributions to Indian cricket during their respective careers, particularly in overseas conditions.
Vijay, known for his composure and ability to handle the new ball, scored 3,835 runs in 61 Test matches, including 12 centuries. Dhawan, meanwhile, accumulated 2,315 runs in 34 Tests, registering seven centuries. His aggressive approach and ability to put opposition bowlers under pressure made him a valuable option at the top of the order.
Solid middle-order
Rahane selected Dravid at No. 3 and Tendulkar at No. 4, giving his batting lineup a formidable combination of technique, experience and consistency. Dravid finished his Test career with 13,288 runs in 164 matches, including 36 centuries. Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in cricket history, amassed a record 15,921 Test runs in 200 matches, with 51 centuries.
Rahane placed himself at No. 5, an interesting choice that reflected his own contributions to Indian Test cricket. He scored 5,077 runs in 85 Tests, including 12 centuries, and played several important innings during India’s overseas campaigns. MS Dhoni was named captain and wicketkeeper, batting at No. 6. Rahane explained that Dhoni was his first captain in international cricket, making the former India skipper a natural choice for the leadership role.
Dynamic all-rounders
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin were Rahane’s selections to strengthen the lower middle order while providing quality spin bowling.
Jadeja has established himself as one of India’s finest all-rounders, combining reliable batting with left-arm spin and exceptional fielding. Ashwin, meanwhile, retired from international cricket with 537 Test wickets in 106 matches, making him one of the most successful spin bowlers in the format’s history. Together, the pair offered the team a strong balance between batting depth and wicket-taking ability.
Brilliant bowling attack
Rahane completed his XI with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma. The trio played important roles in India’s increasingly successful overseas Test campaigns, particularly during the team’s pace-driven era around 2018.
Shami claimed 229 Test wickets, while Ishant finished with 311 wickets in 105 matches. Bhuvneshwar, despite featuring in fewer Tests, was valued for his swing, control and ability to exploit favourable conditions.
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No Place for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Rahane’s XI
The most striking aspect of Rahane’s selection was the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both have enjoyed distinguished international careers, but neither found a place in this particular lineup. Kohli scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, including 30 centuries, before retiring from Test cricket in May 2025. Rohit, who also announced his Test retirement in 2025, finished with 4,301 runs in 67 matches, including 12 centuries.
Their omission does not necessarily suggest that Rahane considers them inferior players. Instead, his selection was shaped by the specific group of teammates he chose to consider and the balance he wanted across his XI. Ultimately, Rahane’s lineup combines legendary batting figures, dependable all-rounders and a formidable bowling attack, offering an intriguing glimpse into the players who left the strongest impression on his cricketing journey.
Ajinkya Rahane’s all-time India Test XI of teammates: Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (C and WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma
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