Sportskeeda's Test XI of 2017

Middle-order

Cheteshwar Pujara - 1,140 runs at 67.06

Cheteshwar Pujara made 202 against Australia, an innings where he faced the most balls by an Indian in Tests

Indian cricket's immovable rock Cheteshwar Pujara was in tremendous touch throughout the year, having started off with two half-centuries against Bangladesh. Then came a rescuing knock of 92 against Australia at Bengaluru, and what followed was a marathon effort of 202 at Ranchi, in the process facing the most number of balls in a Test innings for India. Home and away hundreds against Sri Lanka meant he had a total of four centuries to show, to go with five half-centuries. With a staggering average of 67.06, Pujara ground out 1,140 Test runs.

Steven Smith (c) - 1,305 runs at 76.76

Australia's captain led from the front in a year which he opened with three centuries in India – one of them was on a raging turner at Pune – and closed with three more against England at home. A mountain of runs meant he amassed as many as 1,305 of them at a bewildering average of 76.76 to end with the most runs this year. Three of his six centuries were unbeaten and came in varying conditions in India and Australia, including one which saved the Melbourne Test in the Ashes. A career-best of 239 was a part of 2017, the fourth successive year in which he piled up over 1000 Test runs.

Virat Kohli - 1,059 runs at 75.64

Yet another captain to have shown the way with the bat, Virat Kohli shattered multiple records in a fruitful year where India won all the Test series they took part in. Five centuries comprised three double tons – two of them were in consecutive innings against Sri Lanka – making him the captain with most double centuries in history, with a total of six. Though he missed out against Australia at home, he more than made up for it by averaging 75-plus for the second year running. In total, he compiled 1,059 runs with triple-figures in three successive innings, including 610 runs in a three-match series, the most by an Indian.

Wriddhiman Saha - 423 runs at 42.30 and 34 catches & 3 stumpings

A quiet contributor, Wriddhiman Saha was Test cricket's most successful wicket-keeper batsman in 2017. An unbeaten 106 against Bangladesh and then a dogged 117 against Australia at Ranchi ensured India put up big totals to frustrate the opposition. Often under-rated, the 33-year-old hit important lower-order runs in the company of the tail twice against Australia – innings of 20* and 31 helped India earn a slight advantage over the visiting team – and made 67 in Colombo. To go with 423 runs at 42.30, Saha also snared 34 catches and effected 3 stumpings.