Ajinkya Rahane has unveiled his all-time India Test XI, selecting players exclusively from his career span in international and domestic cricket. The bold lineup notably omitted Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, sparking widespread debate on social media.
Rahane, who retired from all cricket in December 2022 after 85 Tests and 5,077 runs at 38.46, imposed a strict criterion: every player must have been a direct teammate. This personal rule shaped an XI that honored his formative years in red-ball cricket.
The exclusions of Kohli and Bumrah became focal points of discussion. While Rahane did play alongside both, positional constraints influenced the decisions. Placing Sachin Tendulkar at number four, with Rahul Dravid at three and Rahane at five, left no room for Kohli in the middle order. Bumrah’s omission, despite his status as one of India’s premier fast bowlers, lacked a stated rationale.
Formation of Rahane’s All-Time India Test XI
The batting lineup features Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan opening, followed by Dravid, Tendulkar, and Rahane himself. MS Dhoni anchors as wicketkeeper and captain, reflecting Rahane’s first leadership experience in international cricket.
The spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin provided consistency across formats and conditions. For pace, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma formed a reliable trio that secured India’s Test victories globally.
Rahane’s selections highlight the senior players who shaped his early career, particularly Tendulkar and Dravid, whose mentorship he credited in the batting order. While Kohli’s exclusion drew criticism for overlooking his dynamic partnerships with Rahane, the XI remains a tribute to shared experiences within India’s Test legacy.
