Can the version 2.0 of Fab Five emerge from our current test squad? 

#4 Ajinkya Rahane for Sourav Ganguly

Ajinkya Rahane

When it comes to timing the ball, there is nobody in the current lot who can match up to the caliber of Ajinkya Rahane. This is precisely the reason why he has remained the most successful overseas batsman of India in Test cricket.

Ajinkya Rahane may have failed to cement his side in the limited overs format, but he rose up to the capacity of the vice-captain in the Test side. This showcases the selector’s belief in seeing Rahane for the longer scheme of things. His compact technique makes him one of the finest players to counter the short ball with relative ease. Having scored overseas centuries against all the major Test playing nations, Rahane is one of those technically gifted players who can be compared to Sourav Ganguly.

Batting in the lower middle order, Ajinkya Rahane can provide all balance in the event of an early collapse. In the final Test when the team needed someone to stand with KL Rahul, it was Ajinkya Rahane who stitched a partnership. At Trent Bridge, he contributed 81 runs batting with Virat Kohli to win the Test match for India.