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Wicket-keeper:
Farokh Engineer | Bombay (Now Mumbai)
Tests 9 | Runs 563 | HS 87 | Ave 37.53 | 50s 4 | Dismissals 18
It was a tight call but eventually Farokh Engineer beat MS Dhoni to the spot. Engineer’s 'keeping skills were also better suited to English conditions, as were his batting exploits due to his experience in county cricket.
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Although there’s not much to differentiate between the two as batters in these conditions, Engineer’s better strike rate helps his cause. He was also more versatile in his approach as a batter, someone who could open if required and also bat in the middle.
Engineer’s 59 and 28* were critical to India’s win at The Oval in 1971. It was India’s first victory in England.
All-rounders:
Vinoo Mankad | Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Nawanagar/Western India (now Saurashtra)
Tests 6 | Runs 395 | HS 194 | Ave 39.5 | 100s 1 | 50s 2
Wickets 20 | BB 5/101 | Ave 33.9 | SR 93.8 | 5w 2
Indian spinners have produced spectacular individual feats in England, but not many have found consistent success when we look at their overall careers. Back in 1940s and 1950s, India’s chances of competing depended on Vinoo Mankad. He makes the side as a frontline spinner and an all-rounder, keeping Kapil Dev out.
It’s a tough call not to pick Kapil. Not only did he lead India to a 2-0 victory in England, but he also produced fantastic individual shows with the bat and ball in his four tours of the country. However, his bowling average in England touches almost 40.
Mankad was another cricketer who lost some good international years due to World War II. India’s first great all-rounder, Mankad's presence, adds depth to the batting of this side.
His most extraordinary moment came in the Lord’s Test of 1952, where he scored 72 and 184 as an opener. He then went on to pick up a five-for. Even a spectacular effort like that couldn’t save India from defeat. Mankad’s other five-for came during the 1946 Manchester Test.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2014) | Uttar Pradesh
Tests 6 | Wickets 19 | BB 6/82 | Ave 26.63 | SR 54.5 | 5w 2
Runs 247 | HS 63* | Ave 27.44 | 50s 3
It’s unfortunate that Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn’t make it to the England tours of 2018 and 2021. An ill-timed injury kept him out in 2018, whereas the lack of first-class matches hampered his selection chances in 2021. One of the finest swing bowlers to emerge from India, Bhuvi was India’s saving grace in their otherwise disappointing outing in the 2014 tour of England.
His five-for in the Nottingham Test gave India denied England the upper hand in the game. His six-for at Lord’s contributed to a famous win. He picked up two more three-fors in the series. Kumar was also very effective with the bat, scoring twin fifties at Nottingham, followed by a match-winning half-century at Lord’s.
Pacers:
Zaheer Khan (2002-11) | Baroda, Mumbai
Tests 8 | Wickets 31 | BB 5/75 | Ave 27.96 | SR 57.4 | 5w 1
Had Zaheer Khan not broken down on the first day of India’s 2011 tour of England, a 0-4 drubbing was unlikely. One of the most skilful bowlers during his time, Zaheer had the rare art of mastering all the three balls – SG, Kookaburra and the Duke.
Zaheer had a decent 2002. Five years later, he was the force that guided India to a rare series win in England. His nine-wicket haul in the Nottingham Test is regarded as one of India’s best overseas performances. James Anderson even took notes from his bowling and added the art of hiding the ball to his armory.
Nabbing England openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook early in the 2011 Lord’s Test, Zaheer was injured and was ruled out of the series in which India were whitewashed.
Mohammad Nissar (1932-36) | Uttar Pradesh, Southern Punjab, Railways
Tests 4 | Wickets 18 | BB 5/93 | Ave 26.55 | SR 42.6 | 5w 2
Mohammad Nissar was the first man to claim a Test wicket for India. He was also the first Indian to bag a five-for in Tests. One of the fastest bowlers in the world during his time, India’s first skipper CK Nayudu claimed that Nissar, in the first spell for his country, was even quicker than Harold Larwood, a man who terrorized Australia in the Bodyline series.
In the four Tests he played across two tours, Nissar bagged two five-wicket hauls, dismissing the likes of Herbert Sutcliffe and Wally Hammond.
12th Man:
Kapil Dev (1979-90) | Haryana
Kapil Dev would usually be an important fixture for most all-time teams. Had his bowling numbers in England been better, he would have gone on to lead this side as well. He makes the cut as the 12th man. Kapil gives the unit a lot of flexibility. He can come in for any batter, replace any pacer and not to forget, India haven’t seen many athletes and fielders as good as him.
India's Greatest Test XI in England: Vijay Merchant, Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly (c), Dilip Vengsarkar, Farokh Engineer (wk), Vinoo Mankad, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Mohammad Nissar
12th man: Kapil Dev
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