No Kohli, No Bumrah! Rahane Picks Himself in His All-Time Indian Test XI

No Kohli, Bumrah or Rohit! Rahane Picks Himself in All-Time India Test XI

Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has unveiled his all-time Indian Test XI, leaving out prominent names such as Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma while including himself in the middle order. Rahane preferred legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar at No. 4 and selected Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead his pace attack.

Rahane announced his selections during an interaction with Sony Sports Network. He was asked to name an all-time India Test XI featuring players he had played alongside in international or domestic cricket.

For the opening positions, Rahane chose Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan, leaving Rohit out of the lineup. Rahul Dravid was selected at No. 3, followed by Tendulkar at No. 4, while Rahane backed himself to bat at No. 5.

Former India captain MS Dhoni was picked at No. 6 and named captain and wicketkeeper of the side. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin were included for their all-round abilities and spin bowling, while Bhuvneshwar, Shami and Ishant completed the playing eleven.

RAHANE PICKS HIMSELF, HANDS CAPTAINCY TO DHONI

Rahane’s decision to select himself was among the notable features of his all-time XI. The former India vice-captain placed himself in the middle order alongside some of the country’s most celebrated Test cricketers.

Dhoni’s appointment as captain carried a personal significance, as the former India skipper was Rahane’s first captain in international cricket. Rahane also entrusted him with wicketkeeping responsibilities.

The batting lineup features Vijay and Dhawan as openers, with Dravid and Tendulkar occupying the next two positions. Despite Kohli’s prominent role in India’s Test success during Rahane’s career, the star batter did not find a place in the team. Rohit was also omitted from the opening combination.

WHY ARE KOHLI AND BUMRAH MISSING?

Tendulkar’s selection ahead of Kohli at No. 4 was one of the major talking points from Rahane’s choices. The former batter opted for the legendary India star rather than his contemporary in the crucial middle-order position.

Bumrah’s absence was equally notable. Despite his reputation as one of India’s leading fast bowlers, Rahane chose Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma as his specialist pacers.

The three selected fast bowlers were important members of India’s pace attack during the late 2010s, a period in which the team achieved several notable results in overseas Test cricket.

Rahane’s selection criteria are also important to consider: he was asked to choose players he had played with in international or domestic cricket. Ashwin and Jadeja were selected to provide spin-bowling depth and all-round strength.

RAHANE’S TEST CAREER AND HISTORIC AUSTRALIA WIN

Rahane announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in July 2026. He last represented India in the two-Test series against the West Indies in 2023.

He ended his Test career with 5,077 runs in 85 matches at an average of 38.46. In limited-overs cricket, he scored 2,962 runs in 90 ODIs and 375 runs in 20 T20Is.

One of the most memorable chapters of Rahane’s career was India’s 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia. He captained the team for much of the series after Kohli returned home following the opening Test.

India recovered from a heavy defeat in Adelaide, where they were bowled out for 36 in the second innings, to win the series 2-1. The campaign culminated in a famous victory at Brisbane, where India ended Australia’s long unbeaten run at the Gabba.

Rahane’s all-time XI features a blend of legendary batters, experienced all-rounders and members of India’s successful pace attack, with Dhoni entrusted to lead the side.

Ajinkya Rahane’s All-Time Indian Test XI

Murali Vijay

Shikhar Dhawan

Rahul Dravid

Sachin Tendulkar

Ajinkya Rahane

MS Dhoni (Captain and Wicketkeeper)

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravichandran Ashwin

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Mohammed Shami

Ishant Sharma