Published: Sep 21, 2016, 07:06 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 21, 2016, 07:06 PM (IST)
On the momentous occasion of Team India’s 500th Test in its 84-year-old cricketing history, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to make it a grand affair. The first Test of the three-match series between India and New Zealand, which begins at Kanpur on September 22, will be Indian cricket team’s 500th Test match. The board is already in the celebratory mood and has sent across invites to all the former Indian Test captains. Besides, it has also initiated a special series ‘name your all-time Indian Test XI’ to make the occasion memorable.
This exercise has taken the social media by storm, as users and media houses are coming up with their own dream team. Former cricketers too are sharing their all-time XIs and Aakash Chopra is one of them. The cricketer-turned-commentator took to the micro-blogging site Twitter to announce his XI in style.
He started off by naming the little master Sunil Gavaskar and the aggressive opener Virender Sehwag as his openers. While one was known to occupy the crease for long, other for his fearless and explosive approach.
Can there be a debate on the two openers in India’s all-time Test XI? Possible to look beyond Sunny G and Viru Sehwag? #500thTest
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 20, 2016
Chopra then named the number three in his side, which is quite an obvious choice — Rahul Dravid. He described his choice with the caption, “If somehow you go through Sunny G-Sehwag, you’d hit a Wall. Rahul ‘consistent’ Dravid has to be the undisputed #3.”
If somehow you go through Sunny G-Sehwag, you’d hit a Wall. Rahul ‘consistent’ Dravid has to be the undisputed # 3. Koi shaq? #500thTest
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 20, 2016
Then came the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar at his traditional No.4 position followed by VVS Laxman. “The bridge between top and lower order is critical…and therefore needed a special player at #5. My vote for VVS. #500th Test,” opined Chopra.
90s was d toughest decade to bat in modern times…& our champ ruled that decade and beyond. Put ur hands together for SRT at #4 #500thTest pic.twitter.com/9ffBKFmeaM
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 20, 2016
The bridge between top and lower order is critical…and therefore needed a special player at #5. My vote for VVS. #500th Test pic.twitter.com/SzAaKJ9DIS
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 20, 2016
He then named MS Dhoni as his side’s stumper, followed by another World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev at No.7.
In an all-time Test XI, you should be able to play only 5 batsmen. No prizes for guessing the man who dons the gloves. MSD. #500thTest pic.twitter.com/RDGDhyWWyj
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 20, 2016
Let’s start from where we left last night…think nobody will have an issue with Kapil Paji at #7 #500thTest pic.twitter.com/lRGEgXW8aM
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 21, 2016
But Kapil was not the only all-rounder in his side, as Chopra surprisingly named Ravichandran Ashwin in his side ahead of successful spinners like Harbhajan Singh and Bishan Singh Bedi.
Now to a slightly controversial pick…at #9 I’m picking Ashwin. Lots of worthy options but choosing a serial match-series winner #500thTest pic.twitter.com/Vxwpnutmzq
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 21, 2016
The remaining three slots in his XI went to arguably India’s greatest match-winner in Tests and the current head coach Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath.
From one champ to another…at #8 is India’s biggest match-winner. And the Most Valuable Player Ever–Anil Kumble. #500thTest pic.twitter.com/t5gUFHkrpg
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 21, 2016
At number 10…the best Left-Arm pacer India has ever produced. Extremely skilled. #500thTest pic.twitter.com/n5a98VMilq
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 21, 2016
Last but not the least…at number 11, I have the man who bowled like a wind and produced disconcerting bounce. Javagal Srinath. #500thTest pic.twitter.com/j0p6HS18vH
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 21, 2016
Aakash Chopra’s all-time Indian Test XI: Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni, Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath.
