All-time West India Test XI

#3 Wicketkeeper and All-rounders

Vinoo Mankad's exploits with both bat and ball were instrumental to India's early Test victories

The wicket-keeper's spot is a shoot out between Farokh Engineer and Nayan Mongia. Despite the latter being a better bet with the gloves, Engineer's markedly better capability with the bat earns him a slot in this all-time XI.

The right-hander was the most charismatic Indian cricketer of his era. While his laudable skills behind the stumps proved to be an ideal foil for the fabled spin quartet, his dashing looks also saw him gain prominence as a 'Brylcreem Boy'.

Extra Cover: Farokh Engineer - Life and times of India's most dashing cricketer

With their supreme all-round prowess, a pair of unswerving spinners add pronounced stability to the lineup. Vinoo Mankad, whose domestic career spanned across three major teams, was India's first genuine match-winner. The left-armer's durable spells as well as flexible approach to batting helped him stamp his authority on India's rare Test victories during the 1950s.

Ravindra Jadeja's gradual metamorphosis from being a public caricature to becoming an extremely valuable all-rounder has to be one of the most stunning reversal stories in recent times. Aside from tying opposition batsmen into knots with his astonishing accuracy, the Saurashtra cricketer can also play game-changing knocks lower down the order. His relentless style of bowling should complement the other two spinners in this lineup.

Wicket-keeper: Farokh Engineer (Mumbai)

All-rounders: Vinoo Mankad (Gujarat/Maharashtra/Nawanagar) and Ravindra Jadeja (Saurashtra)