Dinesh Chandimal Picks His All-Time Test XI

Dinesh Chandimal has had a roller-coaster of a career thus far. From unbelievable highs like his match-winning hundred against India at Galle in 2015 to getting sacked as captain as well as getting dropped from the squad ahead of last years’ tour of Australia, Chandimal has seen it all.

With the proliferation of coronavirus putting the game on the back-burner, cricketers from all around the world are resorting to a plethora of different activities on social media, ranging from interacting with fans via Q-A sessions, catching up with their fellow cricketers through Instagram live besides naming their all-time XIs.

On Tuesday, Dinesh Chandimal joined the bandwagon. The former Sri Lankan captain took to his Twitter account to post his all-time greatest XI, featuring cricketers with whom he has played or watched live.

Chandimal’s Test XI starts with the greatest batsman of all-time and the highest-run-getter (15,921), highest century-maker (51) and the only player to play 200 Test matches, Sachin Tendulkar. Alongside Sachin is former English opener and the ‘Three Lions’ leading run-scorer in Test match cricket, Sir Alastair Cook.

Cook called time on his 12-year-old career back in 2018 after he had racked up 12472 runs in 161 Tests at an average of 45.35.

Also Read: Shane Warne Picks His All-Time Australia ODI XI

Virat Kohli, Brian Lara in Dinesh Chandimal’s All-time Test XI; Mahela Jayawardene Picked as Captain

The wicket-keeper’s slot in Chandimal’s team went to his compatriot and the ever-so stylish Kumar Sangakkara, who racked up 12400 runs at an average of 57.14 before calling time on his illustrious career in 2015.

Following Sangakkara is India’s current superstar Virat Kohli, who is in the ninth year of his Test career and has already impinged himself in the folklore courtesy his penchant for runs and daddy hundreds.

Brian Charles Lara, one of the most flamboyant batsmen of all times and the record-holder for the highest individual score in both Test (400) and First-Class cricket (501) makes it to the fifth spot in Chandimal’s list.

Another Sri Lankan in the form of Mahela Jayawardene, who accumulated 11814 runs in 149 Tests at an average of 49.85, makes it to the Chandimal’s all-time XI. Jayawardene was probably the most tactically astute captain that Sri Lanka has ever had and perhaps this is why Chandimal has picked him as the leader of his all-time Test XI.

All-rounder Jacques Kallis- 13289 runs & 292 wickets- rounds off the batting order. As far as the spin department is concerned, Chandimal has gone with the all-time leading wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and the leading wicket-taker as far as left-arm bowlers are concerned, Rangana Herath (433).

Sri Lankan left-arm swing bowler Chaminda Vaas (355 wickets) and probably the greatest fast bowler of the 21st century, Dale Steyn (439 wickets) will spearhead the pace department in Chandimal’s all-time Test XI.

Also Read: Akash Chopra Picks His All-Time India-Pakistan Test XI

Watch Dinesh Chandimal’s All-time Test XI here:-

https://twitter.com/chandi_17/status/1255045025433636865