Cricket in 2018: Team India Test XI v World Test XI

The previous year was a roller coaster ride of sorts for the Indian cricket team. They had stern challenges awaiting with tours of South Africa, England and Australia. In between, India faced Afghanistan and Windies at home. The side played a total of 14 Tests in 2018 and won 7 out of those. However, the results weren’t as anticipated for the team in the longest format.

India lost 1-2 in the Rainbow Nation and 1-4 in the United Kingdom. Five of the wins came against Afghanistan, Windies, and a depleted Australian side. Despite not really getting the same kind of results they would’ve wanted, the team will be proud of their efforts. In alien conditions, they managed to give the home teams a good run for their money.

A few questionable decision with the team selection cost India a few games. Otherwise, it was a decent year in Tests. The Indian bowling lineup looks stronger than ever and has broken numerous record last year. The Indian team can easily compete and give a tough fight to any team. Furthermore, the side managed to retain its ICC Number 1 Test rank.

Here is a comparative analysis of how the best India Test XI fared when compared to the best Test XI formed by the players of all the other teams.

1. KL Rahul vs Dimuth Karunaratne

KL Rahul: The year ended up on a largely disappointing note for KL Rahul. He has had his own share of brilliance during the course of 2018. However, he ended up failing on a majority of occasions in the longest format. Rahul, somewhat, has failed to find the balance between his limited-overs game and his Test game which led to the downfall. Out of 22 innings in 12 games, he only managed to score 468 runs at an average of 22. He registered four ducks in the year.

Dimuth Karunaratne: Dimuth Karunaratne is the clear winner in this battle. He scored 743 runs in 17 innings at an average over 46. He provided Sri Lanka with many good starts. The left-hander struck seven fifties and one century in the year. He was also out for a duck on two occasions.

Winner: Dimuth Karunaratne

2. Shikhar Dhawan vs Tom Latham

Shikhar Dhawan: Despite proving his ability in the limited-overs games, the selectors ignored Shikhar in the later part of the year. Yet, when compared to Murali Vijay, the left-hander ended the year with a better record. The sample size for Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal is too small and thus he makes it into the XI. Dhawan scored 301 runs in 11 innings at an average of 27. His only century came against Afghanistan.

Tom Latham: The Kiwi opener had a terrific year and ended it on a high with 176 against Sri Lanka. He easily edges out Dhawan here and accumulated 658 runs in 12 innings at an average of 60. His innings of 264* is one of the biggest highlights of the year.

Winner: Tom Latham

3. Cheteshwar Pujara vs Kusal Mendis

Cheteshwar Pujara: This is ‘THE TOUGHEST’ battle in this XI. Cheteshwar Pujara was the backbone of India throughout the year and pulled off some glorious innings. He defied all the odds, battled the extreme conditions and left India in a commanding position when all the other batsmen failed. In 23 innings in 13 games, the number three batsman scored 837 runs at an average of 38.

Kusal Mendis: Kusal Mendis scored the same number of centuries (3), half-centuries (4) as Pujara. While Pujara recorded three ducks, Mendis was out for zero only once. Mendis scored 1,023 runs in the same number of innings at an average of 46.50 and finished the year as the second-highest scorer. He scored at a better strike rate and recorded a highest scored of 196. Mendis is one among the two batsmen who scored more than 1,000 runs in the season.

Winner: Kusal Mendis

4. Virat Kohli (c) vs Joe Root (c)

Virat Kohli: The Indian captain is having a dream run in recent times. Even though he ended 2018 with a duck, Virat still managed to end the year as the highest run-scorer. In 24 innings in 13 Tests, he scored 1,322 runs at an average of 55 including five centuries. He scored 1,138 runs and four centuries outside the subcontinent.

Joe Root: The English Test skipper also played the same number of innings as Virat did. He scored 948 runs at an average of 41. But, Joe Root has played seven out of the thirteen Tests this year in home conditions. He finished 2018 as the third-highest run scorer.

Winner: Virat Kohli

5. Ajikya Rahane vs Kane Williamson

Ajinkya Rahane: In 21 Test innings this year, the Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane scored 644 runs at an average of 31. He failed to register a single hundred but crossed the 50-run mark on five instances. He also led the side to victory in the Test match against Afghanistan. Yet, with the willow, he hardly reached his complete potential and is capable of a lot more.

Kane Williamson: Kane Williamson scored more runs than Ajinkya is just 12 innings. He finished the year with 651 runs at an average of 59 and was truly magical. The New Zealand skipper is in the middle of a great patch and is scoring runs all over. He hit two centuries and three half-centuries in the year.

Winner: Kane Williamson

6. Rishabh Pant (wk) vs Mominul Haque

Rishabh Pant: Rishabh Pant made his debut in Test cricket this year after all the other options failed to deliver. Even though he leaked a lot of runs behind the stumps, Pant was great with the willow in hand. With his attacking style of cricket, he added crucial runs to the team’s total down the order. He got to his maiden century right in his debut series and scored 537 runs in 14 innings.

Mominul Haque: The Bangladeshi cricketer also had a great year. In 15 innings, Mominul Haque scored 673 runs at an average of 45 including four centuries. But, this Bangladeshi star played against oppositions like Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Windies which are much easier to face when compared to the attacks Pant was up against. While he excelled in Bangladesh, Mominul only managed to score 16 runs in four innings in West Indies.

Winner: Rishabh Pant

7. Hardik Pandya vs Jos Buttler (wk)

Hardik Pandya: Hardik Pandya missed out on the action post-September 2018 due to an acute back injury during the Asia Cup. But, he was a regular member of the side before that and was involved in some memorable performances. The all-rounder scored 354 runs in 15 innings batting down the order and struck three half-centuries. He picked up 13 wickets in 8 games and complemented the Indian pacer trio well with timely wickets.

Jos Buttler: Buttler scored 760 runs in 18 innings at an average of 45. He hit six half-centuries and one century in the year batting at five or six. Making a comeback into the Test side in 2018, he exceeded the expectations and was great batting along with the tail. Also, he doubles up in the side as the wicket-keeper.

Winner: Jos Buttler

8. Ravichandran Ashwin vs Nathan Lyon

Ravichandran Ashwin: Indian ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked up 38 wickets in 10 games in 2018. While he accounted for 24 wickets in 7 games playing in South Africa, England and Australia, he picked up the rest 14 scalps in just three matches playing in India. With all the added variations to his armour, he finally succeeded overseas and picked up some important wickets for the team.

Nathan Lyon: No doubt, Nathan Lyon was exceptional in 2018 and has picked up 49 wickets in 10 games. He was successful at home, in UAE as well as South Africa. The off-spinner set the batsmen up beautifully and has set an example for any budding off-spinner. But, he bowled over 600 overs during the course of the year which is more than anyone else. This is more than 200 overs compared to what Ashwin bowled. His average and strike rate was also relatively high when compared to the Indian off-spinner.

Winner: Ravichandran Ashwin

9. Mohammad Shami vs Pat Cummins

Mohammad Shami: Mohammad Shami’s performances this year went largely unnoticed. He was almost on par with Bumrah, if not better at times. Shami bowled almost the same number of overs as Bumrah did even though he played three games more. The pacer picked up 47 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 27 and a strike rate of 49.

Pat Cummins: It was a very eventful year for Australian pacer Pat Cummins. He picked up 44 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 20 and strike rate of 43. Cummins bowled about 60 overs less than what Mohammad Shami did and was great with the bat as well. Taking into account what he offers with the willow, he finds a clear edge over Shami.

Winner: Pat Cummins

10. Ishant Sharma vs Dilruwan Perera

Ishant Sharma: Ishant Sharma made use of all his experience this year when India was playing in South Africa, England and Australia. The pacer visited these nations multiple times with the team and performed really well. In 11 games, the pacer picked up 41 wickets at an average of 22 and a strike rate of 49.

Dilruwan Perera: The old workhorse for Sri Lanka was great in 2018. In the same number of games as Ishant, he picked up 50 wickets to end as the second highest wicket-taker of the year. This is another tough battle as Perera bowled 135 overs more than Ishant and picked up 38 wickets while playing at home. Perera didn’t find a great deal of success playing overseas and his average and strike rate are both higher.

Winner: Ishant Sharma

11. Jasprit Bumrah vs Kagiso Rabada

Jasprit Bumrah: 2018 provided Jasprit Bumrah with a dream start to his Test career. As he was considered to be a limited-overs specialist, there were questions raised again and again about his Test selection. But, the moment he made his debut, he proved all his critics wrong and was unbelievable. He played all the games away from home and picked up 48 wickets in 9 games.

Kagiso Rabada: But, Bumrah is up against the South African sensation – Kagiso Rabada. He finished the year as the leading wicket-taker with 52 wickets in 10 games. He accounted for two five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul in the year. Rabada, though, played eight Tests at home in South Africa. However, he bowled about 60 overs lesser than what Bumrah did.

Winner: Kagiso Rabada

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