Sourav Ganguly selects all time best Indian Test team, names himself as captain

Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly has selected an all time best Indian Test team and has named himself as the captain, on an interview to a news channel on Independence day.

The team has some notable exclusions such as legendary spinners Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Bishen Singh Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna and also many of the pre-eighties greats.

Ganguly has gone for Kumble and Harbhajan as his two spinners and has VVS Laxman as the 12th man. Sourav has opted for Sehwag as opening partner to the legendary Sunil Gavasker, indicating the openers contribution as a proven match winner especially outside India.

Gundappa Viswanath has been named as the only player that could rival Ganguly’s place in the side. Ganguly has played more Test matches than Vishy and has a slighty better batting average of 42.17 when compared to Viswanath’s 41.93.

Sourav Ganguly’s Best Text XI:

Gavaskar, Sehwag, Dravid, Sachin, Sourav (C)/Viswanath, Dhoni (w/k), Kapil, Harbhajan, Kumble, Srinath, Zaheer. 12th man: VVS Laxman.

Ganguly had also named his best ODI team on the program, as reported by NDTV Sport.

The team expectedly had Ganguly opening with Tendulkar, as the pair have been the most successful opening combination in history, averaging  49.32. They have produced an amazing 21 century opening partnerships.

In a major vote of confidence, Sourav picked both Virat Kohli and Jadeja as part of the side. The side also included Zaheer, Sehwag and Yuvaraj – players who were mentored by him in their younger days.

MS Dhoni has been selected in both teams, showing the enormous respect that Ganguly has for the Indian stumper. He has also named Dhoni as the captain of the ODI team. Kapil Dev has been an automatic selection in both the teams, as the fast bowling all-rounder.

Sourav Ganguly’s Best ODI XI:

Sachin, Sourav, Sehwag, Kohli, Yuvraj, Dhoni (C), Kapil, Jadeja, Kumble, Srinath, Zaheer. 12th man: Dravid