All-time West India Test XI

#2 Bowlers

Zaheer Khan is the second highest wicket-taker among Indian fast bowlers

The fast bowling department is probably the only area where there are not too many illustrious contenders within this group. Irfan Pathan's relatively longer and more productive career sees him eclipse Munaf Patel for a place in the playing eleven.

When he burst on to the scene, he showed massive promise and even evoked comparisons with the legendary Kapil Dev. Although he did not quite fulfill his potential, the left-armer still ended with exactly 100 Test wickets. His handy prowess with the bat also bolsters the lower-order by a considerable margin.

With his proven track record, Zaheer Khan puts himself into this team. Among Indian fast bowlers, only Kapil Dev has picked more wickets than the left-armer's commendable tally of 311 Test scalps. After making the new ball talk in helpful conditions, Zaheer can return subsequently and make a difference to the side's fortunes by providing crucial breakthroughs with his profound knowledge of reverse-swing. The versatile pacer was instrumental in India's ascent to the top of the Test rankings in 2009.

As with any team representing India, it is probably better to rely on spinners instead of swelling the seam department just for the sake of doing so. In such regard, there cannot be a better choice than Subhash Gupte. The fact that a certain Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers called him a 'better leg-spinner' than Shane Warne is proof enough of the Indian great's stature in the world game.

Bowlers: Irfan Pathan (Baroda), Zaheer Khan (Baroda/Mumbai) and Subhash Gupte (Mumbai)