India, Pakistan and Bangladesh: Current combined Test XI

Not long ago, round about 70 years and a couple of months back, the now neighbouring countries of Pakistan and Bangladesh were part of an even bigger (and better) India. However, the partition in 1947 meant the nation was divided into two, and then in 1971, Bangladesh was formed after the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Though every facet of the country would have had a different outlook had the partition not happened, in this cricket-crazy belt, one couldn't help but think how things would have panned out in the cricketing scheme of things.

With Pakistan reaching the pinnacle of Test cricket last year, India following suit this year and Bangladesh's recent exploits in the longest format of the game, we decided to make an XI of the players who'd have been part of the Indian starting line-up had the partition not happened.

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Openers

KL Rahul

The batsman from Karnataka has forced himself in the Indian set-up on the back of consistent performances since making his debut in 2014. Three centuries in his first three test matches and an impressive IPL 2016 for RCB where he scored in excess of 400 runs cemented his position in all three formats of the game.

With at least one century in all three forms, Rahul has a healthy 46.27 test average with four centuries and nine half-centuries in 30 innings. He has slammed eight fifties in his last nine test innings and courtesy his remarkable consistency, he'd have fit perfectly the opening slot.

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Azhar Ali

One of the most underrated batsmen in cricketing circles today, Azhar Ali has been churning out runs without much of a fuss. Two double hundreds and a triple hundred 62 matches into a test career is no mean feat and add to that an average of 46.62.

The burly opener was one of the main architects in Pakistan's rise to the top of test rankings last year. Even though the 'Boys in Green' have come tumbling down the rankings this year, Ali has continued his rich vein of form with three half-centuries, two centuries and a double hundred in his last seven matches.

He would walk into this team, without two thoughts.

Middle Order

Cheteshwar Pujara

Probably the best test batsman in the subcontinent, Pujara would have been a natural choice in this team. The 29-year-old has grown in stature with time, reaffirming his status of a test specialist.

In 51 test matches, the Saurashtra batsman has amassed over 4000 runs at a healthy average of 52.65, along with three double centuries, 13 hundreds and 15 fifties.

In just eight test matches this year, the number three has four 50s, two centuries and a 200+ score.

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Virat Kohli (captain)

There won't be many 'best XIs' in today's cricketing world that Virat Kohli wouldn't be a part of. Already a great of both the limited overs' formats, Kohli has one of the best numbers in test cricket as well.

4658 runs in 51 test appearances, despite the fact that the 28-year-old has had a lean patch or two in the format. His hunger only intensifies every time he is pegged back and an average of 49.50, though his lowest among all three formats, is a testament to it.

The Delhite has more than a reassuring record as captain of India's test team and he'd have led this team in the imaginary world, without a doubt.

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Ajinkya Rahane

Completing an all-India middle order would be Ajinkya Rahane, who despite attracting criticism in the limited overs' formats, has continued to thrive in the demanding conditions of a test match. Not that he is by any means a smaller player in the 50-over and 20-over instalments of the sport, but he reaches an altogether different level in the whites.

In 40 matches, he has scored 2809 runs at an average of 47.61 with the help of nine centuries and 12 half-centuries. That he is one of the better fielders in the slip cordon is a bonus.

All-rounder/Wicket-keeper

Shakib-al-Hasan

Keeping the Bangla flag flying high, Shakib is easily one of the two best all-rounders in the sport, along with the Englishman who is in the news recently for all the wrong reasons.

Adept with both the bat and the ball, he would've added a different dimension to this XI.

3594 runs in 51 test matches with 5 hundreds and 22 half-centuries, on top of the 188 wickets that he's bagged, Shakib would've been the top-most name on the list of players from the state of pre-partition-Bengal.

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Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)

Current Pakistan captain, Sarfraz would serve as the wicket-keeper of this team, along with providing that extra edge to the batting. He has over 2200 runs in 38 test matches at an average of just above 40.

Three centuries and 14 fifties along with over 100 catches and 18 stumpings, Sarfraz would have trumped Wriddhiman Saha and Mushfiqur Rahim for a spot in this XI because of his leadership qualities (he recently led Pakistan to the Champions Trophy title in England) and the ability to mould himself according to the situation.

Spinners

Ravichandran Ashwin

Though the duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have kept the Chennai offie out of the Indian limited overs' set up recently, few can raise questions on his credentials as a test player. In sub-continent conditions, he is probably the best bowler there is, and thus would have made it into this team easily.

An astonishing 292 wickets in 52 matches, with 26 fifers and over 2000 runs with four centuries, Ashwin can hurt the opposition with both the bat and the ball. Though he is not as effective on foreign pitches, it would have been difficult to keep the off-spinner out from this Test XI.

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Yasir Shah

Taking his place through the 'wrist spin-quota' would be Pakistan's Yasir Shah. Termed by the legendary Shane Warne as the ‘best leg-spinner in the world’, he recently became the fastest spinner to 150 test wickets.

13 fifers in a brief career of 28 matches are a testament to the 31-year-old's consistency.

Pacers

Mohammad Amir

Amir took the world by storm when he made his debut as a lanky 18-year-old but a spot-fixing scandal saw his career take a premature halt. However, after a six-year hiatus, the left arm bowler made a return to the Pakistan set up and has since gone on to reclaim his position in the team.

His ability to torment the opposition with swing and pace makes him a dodgy customer to deal with early on, as well as when the ball is old and starts reversing. Amir is five wickets short of 100 wickets in the test circuit and has played 30 matches.

I'd go as far as saying that Amir is the best fast bowler in the sub-continent (when on song) currently and with age on his side, he can reach greater heights.

Were he not a part of the fixing scandal in 2010, he would've easily been one of the best pacers in the business. However, as of now, the 25-year-old is still some way off from being considered a champion test bowler.

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Umesh Yadav

If we go back five-six years, a team consisting of both Indian and Pakistani players would've had both the pacers from the current Champions Trophy holders. However, in the last couple of years, the Indian pace battery has undergone a massive overhaul and now stand shoulder to shoulder with their Pakistani counterparts.

Umesh Yadav, specifically, has become a starter in the Indian test team on the back of an impressive season. 26 wickets in the eight test matches that he's played this year justify his selection in this XI.