Cheteshwar Pujara picks his all-time India Test XI

Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara recently shared his all-time Indian Test XI, offering fans a fascinating glimpse into how one of India's most reliable red-ball players views the greats of the game. Known for his traditional batting style and immense contributions in the longest format, Pujara made some notable and humble choices in his lineup. Interestingly, despite being widely recognized for his performances at No. 3, Pujara chose not to include himself in his ideal team. Instead, he selected legendary batter and former India head coach Rahul Dravid to fill that critical position.

Explaining his decision, Pujara said that Dravid was a far superior batter and someone he deeply admired. This gesture reflects both Pujara’s humility and the immense respect he holds for Dravid’s contributions to Indian cricket. Pujara, who hails from Gujarat, last represented India in the World Test Championship Final against Australia in 2023. For the opening pair, Pujara opted for a classic-modern combination by picking the legendary Sunil Gavaskar alongside the explosive Virender Sehwag. Gavaskar, known for his technique and resilience, complements Sehwag’s aggressive, boundary-laden style. Together, they set the stage for a balanced and formidable batting order, as Pujara continued to build a team filled with icons of Indian Test cricket.

"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 different way. Number 3. Rahul Dravid," stated Cheteshwar Pujara in a recent interview. 

Continuing with his all-time Indian Test XI, Cheteshwar Pujara selected none other than the iconic Sachin Tendulkar to occupy the No. 4 position. Acknowledging Tendulkar’s stature and legendary career, Pujara emphasized that the batting maestro was an obvious choice, given his consistency, longevity, and influence on Indian cricket. At No. 5, Pujara chose modern-day great Virat Kohli. While both Tendulkar and Kohli are among India’s most celebrated batters, Pujara clarified that he ordered them based on their debut timelines, with Tendulkar being the senior statesman of the two.

For the wicketkeeping role, Pujara leaned towards experience and leadership, opting for former Indian captain MS Dhoni. While he also mentioned the talented Rishabh Pant as a worthy candidate, he ultimately preferred Dhoni, praising his composure, tactical acumen, and contributions both behind the stumps and with the bat. Dhoni’s ability to influence matches under pressure made him Pujara’s top pick for this crucial role. The middle order of the XI featured another legendary figure—VVS Laxman. Known for his elegant strokeplay and memorable match-saving innings, especially against Australia, Laxman brought stability and flair to the lineup. Pujara’s selection displayed a perfect blend of aggression, technique, and match-winning temperament across generations.

When discussing India’s most dependable No. 3 batters in Test history, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rahul Dravid stand out as two of the finest to have ever held that position. Both players brought immense value to the Indian Test side through their patience, technique, and ability to anchor innings in challenging conditions. Rahul Dravid, famously known as "The Wall," enjoyed a legendary career spanning 164 Test matches in which he amassed an incredible 13,288 runs. His tally includes 36 centuries, reflecting his consistency and dominance at the top level.

Cheteshwar Pujara, often seen as Dravid’s natural successor, has also made significant contributions in the red-ball format. So far, he has scored 7,195 runs in Tests and has notched up 19 centuries, proving to be a reliable mainstay for India in crucial situations. Both batters share the unique ability to occupy the crease for extended periods, wearing down bowling attacks with their resolute approach. Their powers of concentration were highlighted in their highest individual Test scores. Dravid’s monumental 270 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi remains one of his finest innings. Pujara, too, showed similar resilience with an unbeaten 206* against England in Ahmedabad. Their careers epitomize the art of traditional Test match batting at its finest.

Cheteshwar Pujara's all-time India Test XI

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