Basit Ali kicks aside Ravindra Jadeja as he picks all-time India XI

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali picked his all-time XI for the India National Cricket Team. The ex-player picked a perfect team for Test format, including the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Jasprit Bumrah.

For the opening position, Basit Ali picked Sunil Gavaskar, saying that he hadn't seen anyone better than him at the opening spot. The former Pakistan cricketer highlighted how the batting great tackled the fast bowlers of the West Indies, Australia, and Pakistan.

Basit Ali stressed that he picked Sunil Gavaskar not because of the runs that he has scored runs in his career but because of the runs he amassed in overseas conditions. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:

"I will start from India. Sunil Gavaskar, great Sunil Gavaskar. There is no better opener than him. I have not seen a better opener than him. The way he has tackled the fast bowlers of West Indies, Australia, England, and Pakistan, survived and made runs. There is no opener like him. I can say this openly. India has created great names.

"But there is no greater name than Sunil Gavaskar. Not according to runs but according to runs he has made on the West Indies tour. He has made runs all over the world. He has made runs in Pakistan. Top class, and without a helmet."

Basit Ali then went on to pick Virender Sehwag as the second opener but he also was confused with Rohit Sharma. Hence the former Pakistan cricketer left the choice open between Rohit and Sehwag. He along picked Virat Kohli at No.3, saying that it's an obvious choice. He stated:

"No. 2 opener from India, Virender Sehwag. And here I have put Oblique, Rohit Sharma. This is your choice as to whose name you will put. On number 3, Virat Kohli. That is an obvious choice."

Sachin Tendulkar is the No.4 batter in the playing XI of Basit Ali. He believes that there is no match for the batting great. He also lavished rich praise on the way batter used to hit straight drives against tall fast bowlers. He explained:

"Number 4. There is no need to take the name. Because when I say number 4, you should understand. He is the one who has made the most runs in the world. And not just me. People send messages that Joe Root will break his record, I find it difficult and it should not be broken. Because there is a difference in class of both the batters. Sachin Tendulkar. We call him ST. And you call him Sachin Tendulkar. There is no match. I will say it again.

"From a small height, the world's fastest bowlers, on the up, hit straight drive. I have not seen it. I took the name of Sunny Bhai. Sunny Bhai also didn't hit such a good straight drive on the up, as much as Sachin Tendulkar. And with heavy bats. So, I am lucky to have played with him. And, I saw his innings, how he used to play, how he used to prepare himself. Top class."

Basit Ali then picked Mohammad Azharuddin and Rahul Dravid both at No.5. He asked fans to pick the no.5 batter in his all-time India XI. He said:

"On number 5, two names. Azharuddin has developed great players in his team. Oblique Rahul Dravid. This choice is left to you. That, from these, who do you select?"

Basit Ali then went on to pick MS Dhoni as vice-captain of his team and Kapil Dev as captain of the team. He elaborated:

"Remember, this is a Test match team. This is not a T20 team. On number 6, Captain and Vice-Captain. Both are together. MS Dhoni, vice-captain, great performer and, a great captain. Top class. And Kapil Paji, 1983 champion captain."

The former Pakistan captain then went on to pick Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh as two spinners in the team. In the pace department, he went with Jasprit Bumrah and Zaheer Khan. He elaborated:

"On number 8, Anil Kumble. 10 wickets, I remember, against Pakistan. Great bowler and, a great person. Thorough gentleman. On number 9, Harbhajan, I was thinking, Ashwin, I'll go with Harbhajan. The way his performances are, top class.

"On number 10, who can be a fast bowler? Boom Boom Bumrah. India's best fast bowler, I think. If you look at all the fast bowlers in history, Boom Boom Bumrah is number 1. On number 11, two names are obligatory. Zaheer Khan and Srinath," he concluded

Basit Ali names his all-time India XI:

Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag/Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azharuddin/Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni (vc), Kapil Dev (C), Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Zaheer Khan/ Javagal Srinath