1480 – That’s the number of Tests played by both England and India combined. Traversing across countless generations, the two nations have enriched the game with innumerable memories in whites. With a lip-smacking 5-Test series between them set to begin shortly on Indian shores, let us try and assemble a dream team comprising of players solely belonging to the two sides.
Even though England had been playing Tests from as early as 1877, players whose careers reached their zeniths prior to June 1932 (when India participated in their maiden Test) are not considered in the combined XI in order to allow for a more proportional representation among the two countries.
#1 Sunil Gavaskar
“To a country starved of self-respect, he was a godsend” – Noted commentator and writer Harsha Bhogle summed up Sunil Gavaskar‘s effect on Indian cricket perhaps better than anyone else could. In contrast to his diminutive frame, Gavaskar stood like a colossus in between menacing fast bowlers and a hesitant batting lineup.
Be it swing, seam or spin, the man refused to be swayed on any surface against any team. Aside from being the first batsman to complete 10,000 Test runs, Gavaskar’s stature could be ascertained from something every cricketer craves – peer appreciation.
#2 Sir Len Hutton (C)
With overhead conditions and conducive pitches making the Dukes ball hoop around all corners, opening the innings on English soil is unarguably the toughest among all nations. Not surprisingly, England have produced more accomplished openers than any other team.
Sir Leonard Hutton could very well stake a claim for being the best amongst the entire lot in the post Second World War era. A versatile batsman who thrived even on rain-affected uncovered pitches, the right-hander amassed 6971 runs from 79 matches at an average of 56.67 with 19 centuries. His shrewd handling of a young Fred Trueman should settle all debates regarding the captaincy.
#3 Rahul Dravid (VC)
Away from the limelight for most of his career, Rahul Dravid steadily built a career shaped on his personality – tenacious and venerable. The technically incomparable batsman was the fulcrum of India’s celebrated batting lineup of the late 90s and early 2000s.
A combination of precise back-lift, confident forward press and sound judgment made him dependable under almost every circumstance. Dravid's leadership skills were also vastly under-rated despite captaining India to Test series victories in England and West Indies.
#4 Sachin Tendulkar
Back in the 90s, Tendulkar's influence over Indian cricket could be perceived when the second wicket fell. The sight of him looking up at the sky for protection before striding onto the middle invariably with his team in trouble raised the anticipation levels in the arena multifold.
Finding the right balance between attack and defense was among the key reasons for Tendulkar entering into unchartered territories in the annals of batting. England got to witness the maestro’s coming of age moment during the course of his maiden Test century at Old Trafford.
#5 Ken Barrington
Although there might have been slightly more attacking middle-order batsmen in the fray, Ken Barrington’s unrepentant accumulation of runs formed the bedrock of England’s batting from the mid-50s to late 60s.
He scored 6806 runs from 82 matches with 20 centuries and 35 fifties. More importantly, Barrington’s astounding consistency can be identified from the fact that his average of 58.67 is second only to Don Bradman’s 99.94 among batsmen with at least 5000 runs.
#6 Sir Ian Botham
At the height of his prowess, Botham commanded unprecedented frenzy among both the press and the audience. A genuine game-changer with both bat and ball, he often raised the bar during crunch moments none more so evident than the 1981 Headingley Test.
Not the one to care about statistics or grace, Botham‘s style was attuned towards effectiveness. Numerous leading cricketers admitted to playing him on reputation rather than evidence and wilting under the face of his imposing presence.
#7 Alan Knott (WK)
One of those rare wicket-keepers who made the task look a lot easier than what it actually was, Alan Knott shored up England’s fortunes in front of the stumps as well. A sturdy batsman lower down the order, he could bat adeptly in different types of situations.
A thorough gentleman both on and off the field, Knott made a lasting impression with his eclectic stroke-play which yielded him five Test tons. He stood as the ideal prototype for keeper-batsman in an era where runs from those of his ilk were considered a bonus.
#8 Kapil Dev
Before Kapil Dev came along, the new ball would often be an aberration for India to see off before the spinners could get their hands on it. The excitement generated by his entry was writ on the faces of the slip fielders when they saw an Indian fast bowler operating from a long run-up and landing the ball flush on the keeper’s gloves.
It was no coincidence that the ‘Haryana Hurricane’ was anointed as India's Cricketer of the Century in 2002 even though the likes of Gavaskar and Tendulkar were also vying for the title. A delightfully simple approach with the bat helped turn plenty of games on its head. Such was his impact that India have not been able to replace him even after 22 years since his retirement.
#9 Anil Kumble
By his own admission, not many envisaged the impression that Anil Kumble would go on to have on his country’s fortunes when he started out. Unlike the classical leg-spinner, he did not beat batsmen by flight nor lured them out of their comfort zones. Instead, the whole-hearted cricketer pinned them down by making the ball swoop in from a dangerous length.
Modeling his game on the iconic Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, Kumble varied his pace cannily and kept probing relentlessly to play a starring role in the vast majority of India’s enduring victories during his career.
#10 Fred Trueman
‘Fiery Fred’ did not take too long to showcase the abiding damage that he was capable of. In his debut Test, the Yorkshireman wreaked havoc on an unsuspecting Indian batting lineup by chastening them to 0/4 on his home ground.
He was the first bowler to reach the landmark of 300 Test wickets and did so at an average of 21.57 whilst striking at almost once every 49 balls. Not the one to mince any words, Trueman was an equally interesting personality off the field as well.
#11 Derek Underwood
Nicknamed 'Deadly’ for his unpredictable variations in pace which often rendered batsmen clueless, Underwood was perhaps the most dangerous spinner during the 70s. His astute utilization of the crease added another dimension to the challenges of facing him.
Underwood’s prowess against dexterous and accomplished players of spin can be discerned from his record in India which reads – 54 scalps from 16 Tests at an average of 26.51. Apart from possessing the ability to extract sharp turn from helpful surfaces, he prised out wickets even under unfavorable conditions with his metronomic accuracy.
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