India's dream test XI

Read a nice article on cricinfo 2-3 days ago. http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/376791.html
If religion is the opium of the masses, then cricket is the opium for many of us in India. As India comes off a great series victory against Australia, there looms a sense of lingering loss also. It’s the last time we have seen the Fab Five together. For some millions who have grown up watching the Fab Five, watching cricket may not be the same again. For me, I definitely know it won’t be the same after Sachin retires.

Whatever news channel you open, there are many shows on Kumble and Ganguly. Former greats and the not-so-greats have been writing columns, giving interviews to both newspapers and tv channels about Ganguly and Kumble. Words like ‘India’s all time greatest match winner’, ‘best Indian captain ever’, ‘best left-handed batsman India has produced’, ‘fighter’ etc. are being used liberally (deservingly too). As we see the beginning of the end of an era of Indian cricket, we must count ourselves fortunate as to have witnessed these modern greats.

Having a lot of time to kill and consumed by the same desire of most sports lovers, I am attempting to make an all time great test XI for India. For the sake of simplicity, players who have totally or mostly played pre-independence are not considered.

Let’s open this discussion with the opening. For one position, I believe the choice is easiest. Even his worst enemies will perhaps not question the inclusion of Mr. Sunil Manohar Gavaskar. With a rock-solid technique and impeccable temperament, Sunny had simply soaked up the venom of all fast bowlers all across the world. And, his last innings of 96 in Bangalore is a master class on how play top spinners on a viciously turning track.

Now comes the question of his partner. Who shall it be? Two names come to mind: 1) Vijay Merchant (2) Vinoo Mankad
Vijaysingh Madhavji Thackersey aka Vijay Merchant has a batting average of 71.64 in first class cricket, second only to the great Don. But playing only 10 test matches (though no fault of his) goes against him.
Mulvantrai Himmatlal Mankad is perhaps India’s first genuine all-rounder. A co-holder of the opening partnership record of 413 runs (that stood for 52 years), his claim for the opening spot is perhaps stronger than the others. But being one of the only 3 players in the history of the game to have batted at all positions, he can perhaps lay claim to some other slot in the team.

But my vote for Sunny’s opening partner would go towards Virendra Sehwag. Truly a contrast to his partner, few teams can find such a rare combo of offence and defence. With two triple hundreds and five double hundreds to his name along with a 50+ average, he has truly solved India’s opening woes. If Sunny can frustrate bowlers at one end, he can simply destroy them with his fearless and unique style of batting. The Nawab of Najafgarh is then our dream team’s second opener.

First down position is a crucial position in any form of the game. Who shall come at our number three position then? The list of nominees are: Vijay Hazare, Rahul Dravid, Vinoo Mankad (a nominee for every position perhaps), and Mohinder Amarnath. The mercurial CK Nayudu is not being considered as he played before independence. Vinoo Mankad will perhaps be more suited at a different position. Mohinder Amarnath, the former comeback man of Indian cricket, has shown plenty of grit and determination over the years in the position. But in this position runs are as important as grit and hence Jimmy fails to make the cut in this dream team.

So we are now down to two men – Vijay Samuel Hazare and Rahul Sharad Dravid. Vijay Hazare, the man who led India to her first test victory in the jubilee test against England at Chennai, was truly a batsman of rare class. He was the first Indian player to score a century in three successive Test matches and the first Indian to score a century in each innings of a Test match (116 and 145 on successive days against the Australia in Adelaide in 1947-48, which was the same team that became known as ‘the invincibles’). When one considers that India was following on in the second innings and six batsmen had failed to score, one gets an idea of his greatness.

But when you pit him against ‘The Wall’ Rahul Dravid, he meets the same fate as many bowlers have met – emerge second best. If we boast of the recent wins abroad, it is only because we had our own wall of India. Who can forget his contributions in the landmark victories at Adelaide, Multan and Headingley or even the Eden test in 2001 back home against Australia? A batsman who performed both at home and abroad, he has indeed been a pillar for the Indian team. A quiet man, he lets his bat do the talking, amassing more than 10,000 runs in the process. A thorough team man, he has opened the batting as well as kept wickets (though not in tests) when the team needed him to do so. ‘Mr. Dependable’, a well-deserved sobriquet, is thus our man at number three.

To be continued………………..