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Virat Kohli In, Rohit Sharma Out; Dhoni Chosen Over Pant In Pujara's All-Time Test XI

Soumyajit Dutta

Rahul Dravid, Cheteshwar Pujara and MS Dhoni [Source: @Itzshreyas07/X]Rahul Dravid, Cheteshwar Pujara and MS Dhoni [Source: @Itzshreyas07/X]

Veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara has unveiled his all-time Indian Test XI, notably excluding himself from the No. 3 spot in favour of Rahul Dravid. Despite his own stellar 103-Test career, Pujara conceded that Dravid’s legacy as the "Wall of Indian Cricket" made him the undisputed choice. 

Interestingly, Pujara's lineup blends eras, featuring legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Sehwag, Tendulkar, and Kohli, with Pujara prioritising debut timelines and impact over personal bias.

Pujara's Humble Homage to Greats Of Test

While conversing with SportsTak in an exclusive interview, Pujara named India's all-time Test XI naming greats like Gavaskar and Sehwag as openers.

"The openers are a weird combination, both are very strong batters, but calm and composed Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag, very aggressive. So, this can [work in] different ways. Number 3. Rahul Dravid," Pujara said.

When asked about why he said Rahul Dravid instead of saying his name the legendary batter humbly responded that, "He has been a better player. Without any doubt."

Pujara’s XI highlights generational icons, with Sachin Tendulkar at No. 4 and Virat Kohli at No. 5, sequenced by their debut years. Behind the stumps, MS Dhoni edged out Rishabh Pant, for now, as Pujara tipped Pant to potentially claim the spot by career’s end. 

"MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant are close. Right now it's MS Dhoni because Rishabh Pant is progressing as a cricketer, and I hope that at the end of his career, I have to say that it can be Rishabh Pant," Pujara said.

The team balances aggression (Sehwag, Kapil) with grit (Dravid, Gavaskar) and spin wizardry (Kumble, Ashwin), anchored by Jasprit Bumrah’s pace.

Pujara's India's All-time Test XI

Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni