In a rare moment of humility and deep cricketing insight, Indian Test veteran Cheteshwar Pujara has unveiled his all-time India Test XI.
Cheteshwar Pujara’s All Time India Test XI
Speaking on Sports Tak’s podcast “Vikrant Unfiltered,” Pujara curated a dream team of Indian cricketing greats, carefully selecting players who defined eras with both bat and ball. His decisions sparked discussion not just for the names included, but for the honesty behind leaving out his own name.
“The openers are a weird combination, both are very strong batters — Calm and composed Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag, very aggressive,” Pujara noted.
The opening duo reflects a beautiful contrast: the technical brilliance of Sunil Gavaskar paired with the fearless, aggressive mindset of Virender Sehwag, the “Sultan of Multan.” At the critical No. 3 position, where Pujara himself has served India with distinction, he instead placed Rahul Dravid, acknowledging the legend’s superior contributions.
“He has been a better player. Without any doubt,” Pujara admitted.
While both Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara have defined India’s resilience in Test cricket, the statistics favor Dravid. In his 164-match career, Dravid amassed 13,288 runs with 36 centuries, including a top score of 270. Pujara, still active, has scored 7,195 runs with 19 centuries, including a highest score of 206 against England*.
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The middle order follows naturally, with Sachin Tendulkar at No. 4 and Virat Kohli at No. 5 — two titans of Indian cricket with enormous influence across generations. VVS Laxman, another marathon man known for his wristy artistry under pressure, takes the No. 6 slot.
For the wicketkeeping role, Pujara opted for MS Dhoni, ahead of the promising Rishabh Pant, citing Dhoni’s legendary leadership and impact on Indian cricket. However, he left room for Pant to eventually earn his place, saying:
“Right now, it’s MS Dhoni. Rishabh Pant is progressing as a cricketer, and I hope by the end of his career, it can be him.”
In the all-round department, Kapil Dev, India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain, leads the pack with his unparalleled skill set. Jasprit Bumrah represents the modern fast bowling era, while spin duties are handed to the timeless Anil Kumble and the ever-reliable Ravichandran Ashwin.
- Openers: Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag
- Middle Order: Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, VVS Laxman
- Wicketkeeper: MS Dhoni
- All-rounder: Kapil Dev
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Anil Kumble, Ravichandran Ashwin
When it comes to batting legends in Indian Test cricket, Sachin Tendulkar stands tall at the top. Often referred to as the “Little Master,” he amassed a staggering 15,921 runs in his illustrious Test career — the most by any player in the format. While Tendulkar remains the gold standard, other icons like Rahul Dravid (India’s dependable No. 3), Virat Kohli (modern-day run machine), Sunil Gavaskar (the original master of technique), and Virender Sehwag (known for his fearless strokeplay) also deserve a spot in the conversation.
If you’re talking about sheer impact and numbers, Anil Kumble tops the list. With 619 Test wickets, he is India’s leading wicket-taker and one of the greatest leg-spinners the world has seen. His grit, consistency, and ability to bowl long spells made him a match-winner across conditions. Ravichandran Ashwin is another modern-day legend, currently sitting second on India’s all-time Test wicket charts — and still going strong.
When it comes to wicketkeeping excellence in red-ball cricket, MS Dhoni leads the pack. Renowned not only for his sharp glovework but also for his leadership, Dhoni holds the Indian record for the most dismissals in Test cricket — 294 in total, including 256 catches and 38 stumpings. His calmness behind the stumps and tactical brilliance were crucial to India’s success during his era.
