Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has turned heads by naming his all-time India Test XI. Pujara, who is known for his solid technique and fighting spirit, humbly picked Rahul Dravid for the crucial number three spot while ignoring himself from his all-time India Test XI.
The right-handed batter’s bold call came as a surprise, especially considering his own impressive Test record. He has represented India in 103 Test matches and scored 7195 runs with 19 centuries to his name. But the Gujarat-based cricketer made it clear that when it comes to batting at No. 3, there is no batsman better than Rahul Dravid.
Cheteshwar Pujara drops himself, picks Rahul Dravid at No. 3 in All-Time India Test XI
Dravid, who is known as “The Wall,” has 13,288 runs to his name in 164 Test matches. His consistency and calm under pressure have made him a timeless icon. Cheteshwar Pujara said on the Sports Tak podcast, “My No. 3 is Rahul Dravid. He has been a better player. Without any doubt.”
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For openers, Pujara picked Sunil Gavaskar, the original master of Indian batting, and Virender Sehwag, the fearless and aggressive batter who could dismantle any bowling attack. Both legends have changed the way Test cricket was played at the top.
Pujara explained his choices: “The openers are a weird combination; both are very strong batters, but calm and composed Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag are very aggressive. So, thisan be a different way.”
Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar make the cut in Cheteshwar Pujara’s dream XI
In his dream India Test XI, Cheteshwar Pujara then picked two of the biggest names in cricket history, and they are Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. He placed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar at number four in the batting order, followed by modern-day icon Virat Kohli at number five.
Pujara explained that his choice wasn’t just based on their skills but also on the years they made their Test debuts. Since Sachin started his Test journey before Kohli, Pujara gave him the No. 4 spot, and Kohli was naturally slotted in right after the Master Blaster.
The veteran red-ball specialist then picked legendary VVS Laxman at No. 6 in his dream India XI. And then Pujara picked MS Dhoni as the wicketkeeper in his all-time India Test XI. However, Pujara hopes that by the end of Rishabh Pant’s career, he might just take Dhoni’s spot.
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Anil Kumble to lead Pujara’s spin attack, Jasprit Bumrah picked as sole pacer
At the end, Pujara has picked two spinners in his lineup, and they are none other than the iconic Anil Kumble and Ravichandran Ashwin. The 1983 World Cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev, is the specialist all-rounder in India batter’s all-time India Test XI.
Interestingly, Pujara picked only one fast bowling specialist in Jasprit Bumrah. Pujara signed off by saying, “MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant are close. Right now, it’s MS Dhoni because Rishabh Pant is progressing as a cricketer, and I hope that at the end of his career, I have to say that it can be Rishabh Pant.”
Here’s Cheteshwar Pujara’s all-time India Test XI:
Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Kapil Dev
