Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has sparked discussion among cricket fans after naming his all-time Indian Test XI, leaving out prominent names such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. Instead, Rahane selected a team built around players he had played alongside during his international or domestic cricket career, with MS Dhoni appointed captain and wicketkeeper.
Rahane revealed his choices during an interaction with a sports broadcaster. The selection offered a personal look at the former India vice-captain’s preferences, bringing together experienced batters, all-rounders and fast bowlers from different phases of Indian cricket.
MS Dhoni Named Captain and Wicketkeeper
Rahane selected Dhoni to lead his all-time XI, placing him at No. 6 in the batting order. The choice had a personal connection: Dhoni was Rahane’s first captain in international cricket.
The former India captain also fills the wicketkeeping role, allowing Rahane to build the rest of the team around a combination of established batters and specialist bowlers.
Dhoni’s inclusion places one of India’s most recognisable cricket leaders at the centre of Rahane’s preferred lineup.
Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid Anchor the Batting Order
Rahane chose Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan as the opening pair. Both shared the Indian dressing room with him and featured in the national side during his playing career.
Rahul Dravid was selected at No. 3, followed by Sachin Tendulkar at No. 4. Tendulkar’s place in the lineup meant Kohli did not feature in Rahane’s preferred middle order.
Rahane then selected himself at No. 5, ahead of Dhoni. The choice added a personal dimension to the team, with the former batter placing himself among several celebrated names from Indian Test cricket.
The batting lineup reflects Rahane’s own experiences across different teams and playing conditions rather than serving as a definitive ranking of every Indian Test cricketer.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin Complete the Spin Options
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin were selected to provide the team’s spin-bowling options and additional batting depth.
Both players have been important figures in India’s Test cricket setup, contributing with the ball and lower-order runs. Their inclusion gives the lineup two experienced players capable of influencing matches in different conditions.
The team therefore combines specialist batting strength with all-round ability, while relying on a three-man pace attack.
Three Fast Bowlers Complete the Team
Rahane selected Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma as his three specialist fast bowlers.
The trio offers different bowling strengths, including swing, seam movement and sustained pace. All three played alongside Rahane during his career with India, making them eligible for his personal selection.
The absence of Bumrah, one of India's prominent modern fast bowlers, was among the most notable aspects of the lineup. However, Rahane did not include him in the XI he presented.
Why Were Kohli and Rohit Left Out?
Kohli and Rohit were also absent from the selected team. Their omission is likely to attract attention because both have played major roles in Indian cricket over the past decade.
Rahane’s choices were framed around players he had played with in international or domestic cricket. The selections therefore represent his personal team rather than an official assessment of the country's greatest Test players.
No detailed explanation was provided for every omission, so the choices should not automatically be interpreted as criticism of the players left out.
Ajinkya Rahane’s All-Time India Test XI
- Openers: Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan
- Middle order: Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ajinkya Rahane
- Wicketkeeper and captain: MS Dhoni
- All-rounder and spinner: Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin
- Fast bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma
The lineup brings together players from several generations of Indian Test cricket. Rahane’s decision to select himself while leaving out Kohli, Rohit and Bumrah has made the team an interesting talking point, highlighting how personal playing experiences can shape an all-time XI.
