India’s All-time XI to have played Test cricket in England

#5 Bowlers: Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, Ishant Sharma, BS Chandrashekar

Zaheer Khan led India’s pace attack after the departure of Srinath and Prasad in all formats of the game. His experience of playing in tough conditions across the world helped him grow as a bowler.

Zak was a completely different bowler in India’s triumph in 2007. He went through the English line up on numerous occasions to help his side secure victory at Trent Bridge. India’s best left-arm pacer till date, Zaheer got injured in the first Test in 2011, and thus couldn’t weave his magic for his side to see India go down by 4-0.

M: 8, Wickets: 31, Average: 27.96

Anil Kumble was a match-winner in all sorts with the ball. The tall leg-spinner enjoyed a good time in England in India’s triumphs in 2002 and 2007. He even mustered his maiden Test century in 2007 at Oval, remaining unbeaten on 110.

Although the conditions in England didn’t have much for the spinners, his consistency and the ability to fox the batsmen made him effective in even unfriendly conditions.

M: 10, Wickets: 36, Average: 41.41

Ishant Sharma is currently India’s most impressive pace bowler. The lanky pacer has the ability to bowl long spells and has shown signs of troubling the batsmen in various stages of his career.

With over 200 wickets to his name, Sharma has impressed most in England. His spell of 7-74 against England in 2014 helped India secure their solitary win in the Test series and a win after 28 years at Lord’s. It might just be the breakthrough year for him after his maiden county stint with Sussex earlier this year.

M: 7, Wickets: 25, Average: 40.84

BS Chandrashekar, the orthodox-leg spinner, was part of India’s spin quartet in the 70s. A true match winner in overseas conditions, Chandra always produced the unexpected side of him on the cricket field.

He was the architect in India’s maiden series win in England. With his 6-fer in the third innings of the third Test match in the 1971 series, he helped India register a 4-wicket win to claim the series.

M: 9, Wickets: 33, Average: 33.96