Virat Kohli snubbed as Ajinkya Rahane picks himself in all-time India Test XI

Ajinkya Rahane’s All-Time India Test XI: Dhoni Leads a Lineup Without Kohli and Rohit

Ajinkya Rahane has named his all-time Indian Test XI, selecting a team packed with celebrated players from different generations. The former India batter included icons such as Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, alongside several teammates from his own international career. But two notable absences have sparked conversation: modern-era stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma did not make the cut.

Rahane’s choices reflect more than a simple ranking of careers. He was asked to pick players he had shared a dressing room with in international or domestic cricket, giving the selection a personal dimension. The result is a team shaped by his own experiences, relationships and memories of playing alongside some of India’s leading cricketers.

MS Dhoni Named Captain and Wicketkeeper

Rahane selected MS Dhoni as both captain and wicketkeeper, placing the former India skipper at No. 6 in the batting order. Explaining the choice, Rahane pointed to a personal connection: Dhoni was his first captain in international cricket. That early influence appears to have made the selection especially meaningful.

Dhoni’s inclusion also gives the XI a proven leader and a capable middle-order batter. In Test cricket, he played 90 matches for India, scoring 4,876 runs and making six centuries. His experience behind the stumps and reputation for calm decision-making make him a natural choice to lead a hypothetical team featuring players from several eras.

Dravid and Tendulkar Anchor the Batting Order

Rahane chose Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan as his opening pair. Both had shared the India dressing room with him, and each brought a different style to the top of the order. Vijay was known for his patience and ability to build long innings, while Dhawan offered a more attacking approach when he found his rhythm.

Rahul Dravid was selected at No. 3, a position closely associated with his role as one of India’s most dependable Test batters. His technique, concentration and ability to bat through difficult sessions would provide stability after the opening partnership. At No. 4, Rahane picked Sachin Tendulkar, whose extraordinary record and influence across generations make him a familiar choice in any discussion of India’s greatest Test players.

Rahane placed himself at No. 5, ahead of Dhoni in the middle order. His selection of himself is likely to attract attention, particularly because Kohli—one of India’s most prolific Test batters—was left out. Kohli finished his Test career with 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries, and also captained India through a period in which the team became a formidable force, particularly in overseas conditions.

Why Were Kohli and Rohit Left Out?

The omission of Kohli and Rohit Sharma is the headline surprise, but the criteria behind Rahane’s team matter. This was not necessarily presented as a definitive statistical ranking of every Indian Test player. Instead, Rahane was asked to select a side from cricketers he had played with, making the exercise personal as well as sporting.

That context does not remove the debate. Kohli’s batting achievements and leadership record would place him in contention for many all-time India XIs. Rohit, meanwhile, became a major presence in the Test side and later led India as captain. Their absence is therefore likely to prompt fans to compare eras, roles and individual records—and to offer their own prediction of which players would make the strongest possible team.

All-time selections are inevitably subjective. Some fans may prioritise career totals, while others may value peak performance, team balance, personal influence or the conditions in which a player excelled. Rahane’s XI is best viewed as his own cricketing snapshot: a combination of personal connections and players he believes can form a balanced side.

Spin Strength and a Three-Man Pace Attack

Rahane’s bowling choices give the team a strong all-round balance. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin form a formidable spin pairing, with both offering significant value with the bat as well as the ball. Ashwin’s control, variations and record of taking wickets in home conditions would complement Jadeja’s accuracy, left-arm angle and ability to contribute lower down the order.

The pace attack features Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma. Bhuvneshwar brings swing and control, particularly when the ball is new. Shami offers pace, seam movement and an attacking approach, while Ishant’s height and experience give the group a different dimension. Together, the trio provide a mix of skills suited to a range of Test conditions.

That variety is important in a hypothetical XI. A team playing in India might lean heavily on its spinners, while overseas conditions could place greater responsibility on the fast bowlers. Rahane’s selection offers options for both scenarios, with Jadeja and Ashwin strengthening the lower order and the three quicks providing contrasting methods of attack.

Ajinkya Rahane’s All-Time Indian Test XI

Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (captain and wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma.

Rahane’s Career and Retirement

Rahane announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in July, sharing an emotional message on social media. He reflected on the importance of recognising when it is time to move forward and said he felt ready to bring his playing career to a close.

His final Test appearance for India came during the two-match series against the West Indies in 2023. After returning to the side for the World Test Championship final that year, he was left out of the subsequent Test plans. Rahane ended his India Test career with 5,077 runs in 85 matches at an average of 38.46.

He also represented India in 90 one-day internationals, scoring 2,962 runs, and played 20 T20 internationals, making 375 runs. Across formats, Rahane was valued for his composure, adaptability and ability to contribute in challenging conditions. His selection of an all-time XI now offers another glimpse into the players and experiences that shaped his career.

With Kohli and Rohit absent, Rahane’s team is certain to fuel discussion among Indian cricket fans. Whether supporters agree with his choices or would make a different prediction, the lineup invites a broader question: what matters most when building an all-time Test side—individual records, balance, leadership or the personal connections formed over a career?