World XI that can beat India in home Test series

image-legzho4pWorld XI up against India [OneCricket]

Let's be really honest, India in home conditions is a different team altogether. It has been 13 years since they were last defeated in a Test series, which came at the hands of England in 2012.

Before that, the mighty Aussies, led by Adam Gilchrist were able to breach the Indian side in their own den in 2004.

In the past 19 years, Team India have only lost two Test series, and that really shows the ruthlessness, and precision with which India play at home.

So, is there any team that can actually challenge India in home conditions in a Test series? Here at OneCricket, we have tried different permutations and combinations to create a World XI of active players, that can challenge Team India in home conditions.

Openers

Tom Latham, Abdullah Shafique

Choosing an opening pair for Indian conditions is a tedious task. Playing in India requires the ability to grind it out against quality spin attack, and not a lot of players have the ability to do that. Tom Latham was an obvious choice. An aggressive opener, he has a great track record against India in India. Be it Tests, ODIs, the Kiwi batter has hammered Indian bowlers across formats. 

In 5 Test matches, Latham has scored 357 runs, at an average of 35.70. But most importantly, he has five fifty plus scores in 10 innings.

Now here comes the debatable selection. Pakistan's Abdullah Shafique has never played against India, but his sublime technique against spinners has made us put him into the side. He is patient, technically sound and has all the ingredients to succeed at the international stage. Plus, a left-right combination won't allow the likes of R Ashwin to settle in properly. 

His best Test knock came under testing spinning conditions against Sri Lanka in 2022. Chasing 342, Shafique played the innings of his life and slammed a brilliant 160* to steer his side past the winning line.

Babar Azam: Another controversial call, and another player who has not played against India in Tests. However, no one can deny the rise of Babar Azam in Test cricket, especially as of late. In 9 Tests in 2022, Babar had amassed 1184 runs, at an average of 69.64, with four centuries under his belt. Number three is a crucial position in Test matches, and you need one of the best players of spin to bat at that position.

Steve Smith: Players from SENA countries are not considered the best of spin players. However, Steve Smith is an exception. He has made adjustments to his techniques and had a stellar 2017 India series, wherein the former skipper scored three hundred. It has not been a good Border-Gavaskar series so far for the champion batter, but Smith at number 4 will calm things down for the World XI.

Joe Root: Another batter who has tormented the Indian bowlers in the last decade. Root had an exceptional India tour in 2021. He started the series with a bang, scoring 218 runs that helped his side seal the win. He had a brilliant 2022 for England and has the ability to play under any conditions, which makes him one of the modern day greats.

Ben Stokes: This World XI needs a leader, and who better for this position than Benjamin Stokes. Alongside Brendon McCullum, Stokesy has reinvented the art of Test cricket, and can be a charismatic character that the team needs. He is the true definition of a 3-D player, and has the ability to turn the tides under testing circumstances.

Keeper

Dinesh Chandimal

Another tough position to ponder upon. The position requires someone who can be a sublime keeper in Indian conditions, and can also churn out runs at will. As a result, we have gone with Dinesh Chandimal. For someone who has played majority of his cricket in Sri Lanka, he knows the spinning conditions on the back of his hands. The right-handed batter rejuvenated his Test career in 2022, scoring 719 runs, in 6 matches, with an astonishing average of 102.71. Against India in India, Chandimal has amassed 366 runs in three matches, with the best of 164.

Bowlers

Mehidy Hasan Miraz: Utility players are key to success in India, and there is no better player for that category than Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Another player who loves to play against India. He can chip in with off-break bowling, and can contribute in the lower-order as well.

Nathan Lyon: Known as the G.O.A.T bowler in Test cricket, Nathan had a superb rise in Test cricket, which has culminated in 468 Test wickets so far. Arguably one of the best spinners in modern-day cricket. Lyon has a stellar record against India in India, picking up 42 wickets in nine Test matches, at an average of 30.52. His experience could be valuable for this side.

Ajaz Patel: How many times have you seen a bowler picking up all ten wickets in an innings? Ajaz Patel did just that in 2021 against India in Mumbai. His left-arm orthodox variety can bring something different to this side. Left-arm spinners have troubled India in the past and he can do just that. In 2 Test matches, Ajaz has grabbed 17 wickets and tormented the Indian batters.

James Anderson: The current world number one ranked Test bowler will be the sole pacer in the lineup. Nowadays, Indian batters have struggled against spin, and as a result Anderson is the only pacer recruited in the squad. He can bowl with the new ball, he can reverse swing the old ball, and can be a potent weapon at any stage of the game.