All-time West India Test XI

Unarguably, the Western part of India has contributed the most number of world-class cricketers to the national Test team. With an astonishing combined tally of more than 50 Ranji Trophy titles, teams from this region have ruled the roost in India's domestic circuit. Mumbai (earlier Bombay), Maharashtra, Gujarat, Saurashtra (earlier Nawanagar) and Baroda are the five sides competing from the West Zone.

With countless legendary names in contention, convening an all-time Test team containing players from Western part of India is not an easy task. The fact that remarkable cricketers like Vijay Merchant, Polly Umrigar, Ajinkya Rahane and Nayan Mongia among others miss out gives an indication of the stellar strength of this star-studded side.

Let us assemble a dream Test team comprising of the best cricketers to emerge from sides representing the West Zone in India.

---

#5 Openers

Sunil Gavaskar is one of the greatest openers to ever grace the game

One of the two spots in this section is reserved for the imperious Sunil Gavaskar. The technically unparalleled right-hander is a strong contender for the opening position in an all-time World Test XI. With his impressive record and indelible legacy, he strolls into this playing eleven. Having an accomplished batsman like him at the top of the order augurs well for the rest of the lineup who can rely on him to see out the testing new-ball spells.

Selecting Gavaskar's batting partner is not a straightforward one. Even though Farokh Engineer scored more than half of his career Test runs from the top of the order, the prospect of burdening the wicket-keeper with an opening slot does not seem to be a feasible option. The iconic Vijay Merchant would be an ideal candidate were it not for the intense competition for spots in the middle-order.

Hence, Cheteshwar Pujara moves one position above his preferred number three slot and partners Gavaskar at the top of the order. Since the Saurashtra batsman played his best innings thus far (unbeaten 145 on a seaming track at Colombo against Sri Lanka in 2015) as an opener, he gets the highly coveted spot.

Openers: Sunil Gavaskar (Mumbai) and Cheteshwar Pujara (Saurashtra)

#4 Middle-order

Sachin Tendulkar is the most prolific run-scorer in the history of Test cricket

Vijay Samuel Hazare was arguably India's first batting great. One of the major reasons for the country's enviable batting culture, the legendary right-hander represented both Baroda and Maharashtra in the domestic circuit. Not a man of too many words, he preferred to respond to aficionados as well as naysayers with his performances on the field. Having led India in 14 Tests, he gets the honour of leading this dream team too.

One among the myriad traditions in Test cricket pertains to the best batsman in the team occupying the decisive number four position. As with any all-time XI, Sachin Tendulkar replicates a role which he carried out with aplomb for India during an enriching career encompassing a jaw-dropping 24 years at the international arena. Proficient off both back and front foot, the modern-day maestro established himself as the hallmark of longevity in top-level sport.

With his distinguished capacity to adapt to different conditions across the globe, Dilip Vengsarkar adds teeth to the batting lineup and completes the middle-order. Even though fellow Mumbaikar Polly Umrigar has an equally legitimate claim for a place in the team, Vengsarkar's adept skill-set against spin and seam alike helps in swaying the decision in his favour. The elegant right-hander amassed 6868 Test runs at a splendid average of 42.13 with 17 centuries and 35 fifties.

Middle-order: Vijay Hazare (Baroda/Maharashtra), Sachin Tendulkar (Mumbai) and Dilip Vengsarkar (Mumbai)

#3 Wicketkeeper and All-rounders

Vinoo Mankad's exploits with both bat and ball were instrumental to India's early Test victories

The wicket-keeper's spot is a shoot out between Farokh Engineer and Nayan Mongia. Despite the latter being a better bet with the gloves, Engineer's markedly better capability with the bat earns him a slot in this all-time XI.

The right-hander was the most charismatic Indian cricketer of his era. While his laudable skills behind the stumps proved to be an ideal foil for the fabled spin quartet, his dashing looks also saw him gain prominence as a 'Brylcreem Boy'.

Extra Cover: Farokh Engineer - Life and times of India's most dashing cricketer

With their supreme all-round prowess, a pair of unswerving spinners add pronounced stability to the lineup. Vinoo Mankad, whose domestic career spanned across three major teams, was India's first genuine match-winner. The left-armer's durable spells as well as flexible approach to batting helped him stamp his authority on India's rare Test victories during the 1950s.

Ravindra Jadeja's gradual metamorphosis from being a public caricature to becoming an extremely valuable all-rounder has to be one of the most stunning reversal stories in recent times. Aside from tying opposition batsmen into knots with his astonishing accuracy, the Saurashtra cricketer can also play game-changing knocks lower down the order. His relentless style of bowling should complement the other two spinners in this lineup.

Wicket-keeper: Farokh Engineer (Mumbai)

All-rounders: Vinoo Mankad (Gujarat/Maharashtra/Nawanagar) and Ravindra Jadeja (Saurashtra)

#2 Bowlers

Zaheer Khan is the second highest wicket-taker among Indian fast bowlers

The fast bowling department is probably the only area where there are not too many illustrious contenders within this group. Irfan Pathan's relatively longer and more productive career sees him eclipse Munaf Patel for a place in the playing eleven.

When he burst on to the scene, he showed massive promise and even evoked comparisons with the legendary Kapil Dev. Although he did not quite fulfill his potential, the left-armer still ended with exactly 100 Test wickets. His handy prowess with the bat also bolsters the lower-order by a considerable margin.

With his proven track record, Zaheer Khan puts himself into this team. Among Indian fast bowlers, only Kapil Dev has picked more wickets than the left-armer's commendable tally of 311 Test scalps. After making the new ball talk in helpful conditions, Zaheer can return subsequently and make a difference to the side's fortunes by providing crucial breakthroughs with his profound knowledge of reverse-swing. The versatile pacer was instrumental in India's ascent to the top of the Test rankings in 2009.

As with any team representing India, it is probably better to rely on spinners instead of swelling the seam department just for the sake of doing so. In such regard, there cannot be a better choice than Subhash Gupte. The fact that a certain Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers called him a 'better leg-spinner' than Shane Warne is proof enough of the Indian great's stature in the world game.

Bowlers: Irfan Pathan (Baroda), Zaheer Khan (Baroda/Mumbai) and Subhash Gupte (Mumbai)

#1 Full Team

Karsan Ghavri (far left) gets the slot of 12th man ahead of Ravi Shastri

Having picked the playing eleven, it is imperative to hone in on a twelfth man in order to provide suitable cover for last-minute injuries. With their ability to contribute significantly in multiple departments and lend enormous balance to the team, all-rounders fit the precise criteria for this particular role.

Extra Cover: Sportskeeda's All-Time Test XI - From the realms of immortality

While there could be a reasonable arguments for picking an extraordinary fielder like Eknath Solkar, the presence of a more consistent cricketer can alleviate concerns within the camp.

Hence, in what could be a face-off between talisman seam and steady spin, Karsan Ghavri pips Ravi Shastri for the position of twelfth man. Apart from being a dependable medium pacer, the Rajkot-born cricketer could also strengthen the lower-order with his serviceable batting. If conditions demand a third seam option, he can even replace one of the three spinners in the playing eleven.

All-time West India Test XI

Full Team: Sunil Gavaskar (Mumbai), Cheteshwar Pujara (Saurashtra), Vijay Hazare (c) (Baroda/Maharashtra), Sachin Tendulkar (Mumbai), Dilip Vengsarkar (Mumbai), Vinoo Mankad (Gujarat/Maharashtra/Nawanagar), Farokh Engineer (wk) (Mumbai), Ravindra Jadeja (Saurashtra), Irfan Pathan (Baroda), Zaheer Khan (Baroda/Mumbai) and Subhash Gupte (Mumbai)

12th man: Karsan Ghavri (Mumbai/Saurashtra)