Azhar Ali reveals two Indian batters he would want to play alongside in Tests

The Indian team has scaled immense heights under the leadership of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli in the last decade. Although, despite many scintillating stars rising to the fore from every nook and corner of the nation, few lineups can come close to the assortment of legends that the Indian team boasted during the 2000s.

A unit comprising of the likes of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, the Indian team had one legend following the other in what was one of the most daunting and tall batting orders of all time.

With as many great cricketers playing in one eleven at the same time, it is not a surprise that the old Indian team continues to remain the favourite of many, even though all of these stars have hung up their boots many moons ago.

It seems Pakistan’s promising batter Azhar Ali, too, is an appreciator of the Indian team from the past. On being asked by CricTracker during a Twitter Q&A session about who the right-hander would want to play alongside in Tests, he responded VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid.

“One Indian batsman you would like to play alongside in Tests? #AskAzharAli,” read CricTracker’s tweet. Azhar Ali, in response, wrote, “Very very special Laxman and Rahul Dravid.”

Very very special Laxman and Rahul Dravid 👌👌👌 @VVSLaxman281 https://t.co/7YsMmMfa4k

— Azhar Ali (@AzharAli_) May 30, 2021

Azhar Ali’s fine form in 2021

The year 2021 has proved fruitful for Ali, who has scored 407 runs from 8 Test innings at an impressive 58.14, including a century and two half-centuries. The 36-year-old played a crucial knock against Zimbabwe in the second Test at Harare, scoring a patient 240-ball 126 during a record 236-run partnership alongside Abid Ali.

Consuming 450 balls in their second-wicket stand, he ensured that his opponents endured nearly a wicketless day. Pakistan eventually clinched the match by an innings and 147 runs and the series 2-0, after having won the opening Test by an innings margin as well.

Azhar, who last played in the 50-over format for Pakistan in 2018, witnessed a slump in his Test form during 2019 when he could amass merely 239 runs from 11 Test innings, which led to questions over his spot inside the team. However, he has had the backing of the team management in the longest format and has managed good returns against New Zealand, South Africa, and Zimbabwe in 2021.