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Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa has surprised many with his all-time India Test XI. Ahead of India's two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, Uthappa picked some of the biggest names in Indian cricket, but he left out the current head coach, Gautam Gambhir for KL Rahul.
Rahul got a place in Uthappa’s all-time India Test XI ahead of Gambhir. The former Indian batter has also shockingly left out the legendary batters Sunil Gavaskar, Harbhajan Singh, Cheteshwar Pujara, Mohammed Shami, and Rishabh Pant in his dream Test XI. Amid this, Glenn McGrath fears Jasprit Bumrah's action could shorten his career.
Robin Uthappa picks KL Rahul over Gautam Gambhir
Robin Uthappa shared his all-time India Test XI in a video on his Instagram account. He picked the current Indian wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul as Virender Sehwag’s opening partner of his all-time India Test XI. Rahul’s selection meant former India openers Gautam Gambhir and Sunil Gavaskar did not make it to his former teammate’s playing XI.
Uthappa then picked one of the all-time greatest batters and former head coach Rahul Dravid over Cheteshwar Pujara for the number three batting spot in his dream Test XI. The middle order featured the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and iconic batter Virat Kohli.
He then picked former Indian captain and wicketkeeper MS Dhoni as his keeper, overlooking Rishabh Pant in his all-time India Test XI. The 1983 World Cup winner Kapil Dev was picked as the all-rounder. Amid this, Ravichandran Ashwin drops blockbuster Hardik Pandya trade formula for Mumbai Indians.
In the bowling attack, Uthappa has picked Ravichandran Ashwin over Harbhajan Singh, while Jasprit Bumrah got the place ahead of Mohammed Shami. Zaheer Khan will lead the pace attack while Anil Kumble completes the former Indian batter’s spin attack.
Robin Uthappa's all-time India Test XI
Virender Sehwag, KL Rahul, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni (WK), Kapil Dev, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Zaheer Khan, and Anil Kumble.
KL Rahul leads India in warm-up match before Sri Lanka tests.
Meanwhile, the India national cricket team is currently playing a three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI before the two-match Test series, which will get underway on August 15 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle.
KL Rahul is leading the Indian team in the practice match because regular captain Shubman Gill is unavailable for the opening day. Gill injured the ring finger of his right hand during a practice session on August 6. The team management decided to rest him as a precaution.
Young batter Sai Sudharsan has also not joined the squad yet, as he is recovering from a toe injury. Rahul has already led India in three Tests, winning two matches and losing one.
The Karnataka batter has played 68 Test matches so far. He has scored 4,153 runs in 119 innings at an average of 36.42 with the help of 12 centuries and 20 half-centuries. With India getting ready for the crucial Test series, Rahul will look to make a big impact in Sri Lanka.
