India's all-time best Test XI

Wicket Keeper: MS Dhoni

Matches: 90 Runs: 4876 Average: 38.09 Hundreds: 6 Catches: 256 Stumping: 38

India's best ever wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni is also an automatic choice for the slot of the wicketkeeper. Although India had some very good keepers like Syed Kirmani and Nayan Mongia, after overall considerations, MS Dhoni is miles ahead of others.

---

All Rounders:

Kapli Dev: Matches : 131 Runs: 5248 Batting Average: 31.05 Hundreds: 8

Wickets: 434 Bowling Average: 29.64 5wkt Hauls: 23 10wkt Hauls: 2

R Ashwin: Matches : 61 Runs: 2263 Batting Average: 30.17 Hundreds: 4

Wickets: 324 Bowling Average: 25.45 5wkt Hauls: 26 10wkt Hauls: 7

India's greatest ever all-rounder and one of the best match-winners of all time, Kapil Dev, is an automatic choice for the number seven slot in the batting lineup. He will also be the leader of the pace attack of the team.

India has produced some of the great spinners in test cricket history, viz Bishen Bedi, Chandrasekhar and Harbhajan Singh. However, Ashwin gets the nod ahead of all of them, to be India's second spinner, (alongside Kumble), because of his all-around capabilities.

He has developed himself from a bowler who can bat, to a genuine allrounder. He has also been India's biggest match-winner with the ball in the last 5-6 years of test cricket. His consistent batting and match winning bowling performances make Ashwin the best choice for the Number 8 slot in the team.