India's All-time Test XI in Australia

#6 Spinners

Australian conditions are not spin friendly and spinners need to work really hard to pick wickets in Australia. Even the legendary spinner Muralitharan struggled in the Australian conditions and he could pick just 12 wickets in 7 games at an average of over 75. Warne was exceptional in the Australian conditions by picking 319 wickets in 69 games at an average of 26.39.

Let us look at the spinners options.

Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble, in 10 games in Australia, scored 296 runs at an average of 22.76 and scored 1 fifty. In bowling, he picked 49 wickets at an average of 37.73 which is higher than his career average of 29.65. He also picked 4 five-wicket hauls.

---

Harbhajan Singh

Bhajji, like Laxman, was a different player when playing against Australia. He picked 95 wickets in just 18 games against Australia including 7 five-wicket hauls. But in Australia, he couldn't replicate the same as he just picked 9 wickets from 4 games at an average of over 73. But he did score 161 runs at an average of 26.83 including 2 fifties.

---

Bishan Singh Bedi

Bishan Singh Bedi, in 7 matches picked 35 wickets at an average of 27.51. He also picked 3 five-wicket hauls. His performance in Australia is unlike the other spinners who struggled to pick wickets. He will be the other spinner in the side alongside Ravi Shastri.

---

It is shocking to see so many big names missing this list. Names like Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly are missing from the list. Laxman and Harbhajan who have a phenomenal record against the Aussies are also missing from the list. Legendary bowlers like Kumble and Srinath are also not a part of this eleven.

The contenders for the captain in the side are Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, and Virat Kohli. Virat Kohli has captained in only one game so the actual fight is between Gavaskar and Kapil. Gavaskar takes the captain's role because it was under his captaincy that the Indian side managed to draw the series of 1981 1-1. Kapil Dev will be the vice-captain of this side.

Final Eleven:

Sunil Gavaskar(C), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Mohinder Amarnath, Syed Kirmani, Kapil Dev(VC), Ravi Shastri, Bishan Singh Bedi, Ajit Agarkar, and Zaheer Khan.