Former Indian Test batter Ajinkya Rahane has revealed his all-time India Test XI, a selection that notably excludes prominent modern-day figures Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The squad is comprised exclusively of players whom Rahane shared the pitch with throughout his career in both domestic and international cricket. Rahane, who retired from all forms of professional cricket in July this year, announced his roster following the conclusion of his playing tenure.
In the lineup curated by the 38-year-old, MS Dhoni was designated as the captain and the team’s wicketkeeper. Rahane explained that his decision was rooted in the fact that Dhoni served as his inaugural captain when he first broke into the international cricket circuit. The batting order features a blend of stalwarts, with Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan tasked as the opening pair. Following them, Rahul Dravid is positioned at No. 3, with Sachin Tendulkar batting at No. 4. Rahane himself occupies the No. 5 spot in his personal selection, with captain Dhoni filling the No. 6 position.
The bowling department features a strong emphasis on all-round capability and pace. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin were chosen to lead the spin attack and provide utility as all-rounders. The fast-bowling contingent consists of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma. Rahane highlighted that these three quicks were instrumental during the period starting in 2018, where the Indian team adopted a pace-focused strategy that resulted in several significant Test victories on foreign soil.
The omission of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of the most prolific batters for India in recent years, has drawn attention from cricket followers. Both players have been central to the national team's success for over a decade, yet they did not make the cut in this specific retrospective selection. Rahane’s criteria for the team were strictly limited to those he played alongside, rather than an objective ranking of the greatest players in the history of Indian cricket.
Rahane’s own international career concluded after he was dropped from the Indian Test squad following a two-match away series against the West Indies in 2023. In his final innings for the country, he recorded eight runs. Over the course of his Test career, he accumulated 5,077 runs in 85 matches at an average of 38.46. Beyond the longer format, his international contributions included 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is, where he scored 2,962 and 375 runs respectively.
The official announcement of his retirement was shared via an emotional video on social media earlier this year, marking the end of a long-standing association with the Indian team. Rahane’s chosen XI reflects a deep influence from the players who defined his developmental years in the sport and the colleagues who stood by him during his most notable achievements in overseas conditions.
The final squad selected by Rahane is: Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (captain and wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma. This selection serves as a personal acknowledgement of the teammates who left the most significant mark on his journey as an international athlete.
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