India's all time XI

[whats_at_stake]

Cricinfo just released India's all time XI team.

Sunil Gavaskar,
Virender Sehwag
Rahul Dravid
Sachin Tendulkar
Vijay Hazare
Vinoo Mankad
Kapil Dev
MS Dhoni,
Anil Kumble
Javagal Srinath
Erapalli Prasanna

http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/current/story/476777.html

There was a readers all time XI as well. Only difference was VVS at 5 instead of Hazare

Thoughts?

[Cooldude]

Agree with the fast bowlers, but that alone shows how poor India's fast bowling stocks are in their history. I like Srinath and think he was underrated, but if you compare him to other all time XI's quicks, he is at best a journeyman.

The bowling definitely looks weaker than all the other countries' XI, but the top four is just formidable

[Bomber Bears]

Excellent batting cancelled out somewhat by very average bowling, when compared to other sides (Windies and Australia, in particular).

I mean Dev and Kumble average approx 29.65 each, with srisanth and that offie over 30. Just not near the same level of some other nations.

[courtjester]

Tough selections seeing they haven't had a great pace bowler ever. Kapil is the closest they've had, yet he is no where near the elite of quick men. I'd have Zaheer as my second quick rather than Srinath.

I'd be inclined to overload the team with spinners considering that it has been a strength for India, then hopefully bat for two days, make 500+ and let Kapil and the three spinners bowl to victory. Cant see India's all time team winning any other way:

1. V. Sehwag
2. S. Gavaskar
3. R. Dravid
4. S. Tendulkar
5. V. Hazare
6. MS Dhoni
7. Kapil Dev
8. A. Kumble
9. Bishen Bedi
10. E. Prassana
11. Z. Khan

Dhoni, Dev and Kumble are strong enough at 6, 7 & 8. The spin attack would be great to watch.

[Ill Chicken]

Would probably get pumped by NZ's best XI.

[Reincarnation]

Javagal Srinath never came across as anything super. He was an above average fast-medium who was one of the only Indians that could swing the ball a little.

A better pacer surely? Or just open the bowling with a spinner and Dev?

Dhoni as the wicketkeeper is an utter joke. He is a very average keeper and his batting average is not super (from memory 45+ however in this day it is not anything to write home about)

He has amazing hand-eye coordination and that is how he scores his runs. He is a very ugly batsman and much like Phillip Hughes can look very poor and second rate when in poor form.

[Indian_Hotdog]

Dhoni as the wicketkeeper is an utter joke. He is a very average keeper and his batting average is not super (from memory 45+ however in this day it is not anything to write home about)


Ignorant opinion.Why don't you suggest someone better then ? I doubt you even watch Indian cricket.He has done his job splendidly.

[Reincarnation]

Ignorant opinion.Why don't you suggest someone better then ? I doubt you even watch Indian cricket.He has done his job splendidly.

Not ignorant. He is rated as a god in India because he hits the ball far.

Despite his big power hitting he does not win test matches for his country despite all the fan fare. But that is okay because he hits he ball far right?

Going by your username you are Indian. You response is typical of someone disagreeing with an Indian about cricket especially being critical of an Indian cricketer. It is always met with 'you know nothing', 'you are an idiot' or in this case detailing ones' ignorance. I travlled around there for a few months and was met with constant abuse about our cricketers (on the basis of me being from Australia).

Great country, shit blokes.

Your compatriots are quick to label other nations' cricketers poor however you all become uber defensive when one of yours is questioned from an outsider.

Kirmani was a much better wicketkeeper.

An average of 45 is the new 35 as most Indian pitches are roads and teams' bat for the best part of 3 days anyway as countless test series' have seen.

[Bomber Bears]

The more I think about it, the more I think this side would struggle against other all time sides. Wouldnt have a snowballs chance outside India against the Windies or Australia, and the Kiwi's have a better bowler (although a much worse batting lineup). Even in India I think the best could knock them off. Comparable batting linups, even shaded by the Indians, but the bowling is just so far behind the rest.

They'd need the deadest of dead pitches I think (so they'd be in with a good chance at the MCG!)