Test Cricket is a sport that has been played for 150 years. Out of these 150 years, India has played for 93 years. There have been many batters who have had extraordinary Careers in Test Cricket. The bowling has not been as legendary. This team consists of some of the biggest names in World Cricket.
Let’s look at the All Time Indian Test Cricket XI
Sunil Gavaskar
The first man to reach the landmark of 10,000 test runs is the first opener in the team. Sunil Gavaskar played cricket for India from 1971-1987. He played without a helmet and just used to wear a cap. He played 125 Test Matches and he made 10,122 runs at an average of 51.12 with 34 hundreds. This was a record that he would take from Sir Don Bradman. Without Sunil Gavaskar there would be no Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli etc. He was the original Little Master. Take a look here at Sunil Gavaskar Records List
Virender Sehwag
If Sunil Gavaskar was the most technically correct opening batter then this man was the most destructive top order batter in the world. He is a man who has hit 2 triple hundreds and a score above 290. Virender Sehwag batted in Test Cricket at a strike rate of 82.23. He played 104 Matches and he made 8586 runs. He hit 23 hundreds in Test Cricket. He got to his first triple hundred by hitting a six at 295. There have been many openers who have played for India after Virender Sehwag but they were not able to create the same impact. Do read here Best Innings of Virender Sehwag
Rahul Dravid
The number 3 in this team is a no brainer. It is Rahul Dravid who is one of the greatest batters of all time. He played 164 Test Matches in his career. He hit 13,288 runs at an average of 52.31. He hit 36 hundreds in Test Cricket for India which is the second best all time. Rahul Dravid has a highest score of 270. He has faced 31,258 balls in Test Cricket which is an all time record. Cheteshwar Pujara was a very good number 3 but he did not have the longevity of Rahul Dravid. Here you can check out Best Innings of Rahul Dravid in Test Cricket
Sachin Tendulkar
The best batter of all time is the number 4 of this team. Sachin Tendulkar is the best number 4 of all time. He has all the batting records in Test Cricket. He has played 200 Test Matches for India. He has played for 24 years from 1989-2013. Sachin Tendulkar scored 15921 runs in Test Cricket at an average of 53.78. He smashed 51 hundreds in Test Cricket in his incredible career. His highest score was 248*. He was the reason that players like Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni all started playing cricket. Check out Best Innings of Sachin Tendulkar in Test Cricket
Virat Kohli (C)
At number 5 is the Modern Master and the man who will be the captain of this team. Virat Kohli is the greatest captain that India has ever seen in Test Cricket. He has played 123 Test Matches and he recently retired in 2025. He has made 9230 runs in Test Cricket at an average of 46.85 with 30 hundreds. Virat Kohli could have played a few more years and crossed that 10,000 run mark which is one of the most sacred landmarks in Test Cricket. Virat Kohli has a highest score of 254*. Although the number of runs from Virat Kohli are not that high, he is the best captain.
VVS Laxman
The Very Very Special Laxman is number 6 in this team. VVS Laxman in Test Cricket was a player that was an all time legend. He loved batting and especially against Australia. His innings of 281 at Eden Gardens is still one of the Top 3 greatest innings played by an Indian batter in this format. VVS Laxman played 134 Test Matches in his career. He scored 8781 runs at an average of 49.37. He was a part of the golden era of Indian batting in the 2000s. There was also the option of Saurav Ganguly in this spot but VVS Laxman has had the greater impact.
Rishabh Pant (Wk)
Rishabh Pant is still a cricketer that is playing active international cricket. However the things he has achieved in Test Cricket is simply sensational. He is the Wicket keeper in this Team. He has played 47 Test Matches so far. He has made 3427 runs at an average of 44.50. Rishabh has hit 8 hundreds and he has 18 half centuries as well. He played 2 of the most incredible innings in the 2021 Australia tour which he followed with 479 runs in the recently concluded tour of England. He still has a long way to go and he can cross the 8000 run mark by the time his career ends.
Kapil Dev
At number 7 will be the all Rounder of the team and there are options like Ravindra Jadeja but the greatest all rounder in Indian cricket history is the great Kapil Dev. He played 131 Test Matches in his career. In these Matches he made 5248 runs at an average of 31.05. He smashed 8 hundreds in Test Cricket with a highest score of 163. As a fast bowler he took 434 Wickets. He took 23 Five Wicket Hauls and his best bowling figures were 9/83. Kapil Dev will provide the balance to this team.
Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble is by far the highest Wicket taker that India has seen in the history of Test Cricket. He has taken 619 Wickets from 132 Test Matches. He took 35 Five Wicket Hauls and 8 times he took 10 Wickets in a Test Match. Anil Kumble was one of the biggest match winners that India ever saw. He is one of the very few men who has taken 10 wickets in a test innings. He took 10/74 against Pakistan. Anil Kumble will forever hold the record for being the highest wicket taker for India.
Ravichandran Ashwin
The best off spinner that India has ever seen in Test Cricket is Ravichandran Ashwin. Not including him in this team would have been unfair. He has played 106 Test Matches for India. He took 537 wickets which is just 82 wickets behind Anil Kumble. Ashwin took 37 Five Wicket Hauls and 8 times he took 10 Wickets in a Test Match. Ravichandran Ashwin retired in 2024 or else he could have come closer to the 619 Wickets mark set by Anil Kumble. Ravichandran Ashwin took more than 5 Wickets per Test Match throughout his career on an average. Check here Best bowling Performances of Ravichandran Ashwin in Test Cricket
Zaheer Khan
The best left arm fast bowler that India has ever seen. Zaheer Khan was a special bowler as he could reverse swing the ball both ways. He was one of the pioneers of the slower ball. Zaheer Khan played 92 Test Matches and he took 311 wickets. He had an average of 32.94. Zaheer took 11 Five Wicket Hauls in his career in Test Cricket. Ever since he has retired, India has found it difficult to find a left arm fast bowler who could even come close to Zaheer Khan. If he would not have faced injuries throughout his career then he would have gone closer to the 400 Wickets mark.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has to be a part of this team. He has such numbers that he cannot be left out. He has played 48 Test Matches for India so far. In those 48 Test Matches he has taken 219 Wickets so far. He has a sensational bowling average of 19.82 which is the lowest for a fast bowler with 200+ Wickets. He has taken 15 Five Wicket Hauls in Test Cricket so far. His fitness has to help him and then he will cross the 400 Wickets mark by the end of his career. He is the best fast bowler in the world currently and has been for a number of years. Jasprit Bumrah will target to play 100 Test Matches.
Must Read | Greatest Indian Cricketers of all time
