Wisden announces India's Greatest Test XI

India will make their 500th Test appearance when they lock horns with New Zealand in the first match of the three-match Test series starting at Green Park, Kanpur on Thursday. India is set to become only the fourth nation after England, Australia, and West Indies to play 500 matches in the longest format of the game.

Ahead of the historic landmark, popular magazine Wisden announced India’s Greatest Test XI. The team features highly revered names who contributed greatly to India’s remarkable Test cricket journey so far.

India’s most successful skipper MS Dhoni emerged as the obvious choice for the leadership role and was named the captain of the all-time India Test XI.

The openers in the side are Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag. Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar followed them at the no.3 & no. 4 positions. The stylish VVS Laxman comes at No.5 while India’s greatest all-rounder Kapil Dev occupies the No.7 position.

Dhoni finds the place in the lower middle order in the presence of such names. The bowling attack comprises of two spin – two pacers combination. Leg spinner Anil Kumble and yesteryear left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi form the spin attack while Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan make the fast bowling attack. The 12th man is Mohammad Azharuddin.

Wisden Test XI:

Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni (captain, wicketkeeper), Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, Bishan Singh Bedi, Mohammad Azharuddin (12th man).