All Time Greatest Test XI of India

All Rounders

Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev is the most successful Indian seamer in Tests

Kapil Dev is one of the most iconic cricketers to have dawned the Indian jersey. While he is largely celebrated for leading India to the 1983 World Cup triumph, his contribution in Test cricket was no less.

Kapil Dev was one of the four genuine all-rounders of his era, exercising equal expertise on both the skills of the game. Aggressive and athleticism were the key aspects of his game. He remained as India's strike bowler for most of his career and was an attacking lower-middle order batsman. Dev impersonated the expression "Attack is the Best Defence" and steered the side out of difficult situations with this attitude.

He was particularly known for his savage outswinger, fetching him most of scalps. Kapil Dev is the most successful Indian pacer, with more than 400 wickets. He has the best bowling figures by a captain in Tests, with his 9/83. He became Test's highest wicket-taker in 1994, with 434 wickets to his name.

The Haryana Hurricane remains the only man in the history of cricket to have scored more than 5000 runs and taken more than 400 wickets, making him one of the best all-rounders.

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Kapil Dev's Test Record:

Matches: 131 Runs: 4258 Average: 31.05 100s: 8 Best: 163

Wickets: 434 5W: 23 10W: 2 BBI: 9/83 BBM: 11/146

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Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin is the fastest in the world to 250 and 300 Test wickets

Ashwin entered into the international arena as a limited overs specialist and broke into the Test squad on the back of his consistent performances. Since then, there has been no looking back and he has become a pivotal element in the squad.

Ashwin is extremely handy in the subcontinental conditions with his stock of deliveries, and has the ability to overpower the best in the world. He also surprised one and all with his success with the willow and has become a complete all-rounder, also topping the ICC Rankings for a long duration.

Ashwin is the fastest Indian to complete a double of 500 runs and 50 wickets, doing so in 11 test matches. He is also the highest Indian wicket-taker in a four-match test series, with 28 scalps. The 31-year old is also the fastest to 250 and 300 wickets as well as 25 fifers. He has the most scalps in a home season, with 79 wickets in 2016-17.

Ashwin can also play a good hand with the bat, and usually bats at the No.6 slot, ahead of wicket-keeper Wridhhiman Saha and all-rounder Hardik Pandya. The off-spinner won the prestigious ICC Test Cricketer of the year in 2016, for his break-through performances.

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Ravichandran Ashwin's Test Record:

Matches : 58 Runs: 2145 Average: 30.64 100s: 4 Best: 124

Wickets: 316 5W: 26 10W: 7 BBI: 7/59 BBM: 13/140

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Kapil Dev and R. Ashwin give great balance to the sides on the ground of their roles as fast bowling and spin all rounders. They are proven match winners and the duo can give headaches to any side with their versatility.