Gautam Gambhir Snubs MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli As Captain For His Test XI

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir named his all-time Test XI recently. His Test team consisted some of the finest Indian cricketers and had depth. Gautam Gambhir picked up six specialist batsmen, one all-rounder, two spinners and two fast bowlers to form a formidable Test side.

A calm and composed Sunil Gavaskar, who scored over 10000 runs in the longest format, was paired with the first India cricketer to score a triple century – Virender Sehwag – as the openers of the side. It is a mix of balance in the opening slot as while Gavaskar provides composure Sehwag was ruthless in his approach.

Arguably the best Test batsmen, Rahul Dravid, who can provide solidity at the top was picked as the one-down batsman. Followed by the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, current India captain Virat Kohli, all-rounder Kapil Dev.

Interestingly, the line-up, can bat till No.8 with Harbhajan Singh providing some resistance lower-down the order. Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath have been named as the tailenders of his side by Gautam Gambhir. But one of the finest Indian Test batsmen VVS Laxman fails to find a place in the side.

Gautam Gambhir snubs MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli for Anil Kumble as captain

Under MS Dhoni, team India topped the Test rankings for the first time in 2009. He led India to 60 matches, winning 27, to record a 45 per cent win ratio. After handing over the reigns to Virat Kohli, he grew as the most successful captain in the longest format, with 60 per cent win record for the national team from 55 matches.

Gautam Gambhir, however, felt legendary India spinner Anil Kumble as a better prospect to lead his formidable team and picked him ahead of MS Dhoni or Virat Kohli, in an interview with SportsTak.