Ajinkya Rahane insults Virat Kohli, Bumrah from his all-time India Test XI, picks himself

Former India batsman Ajinkya Rahane has left out Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah from his all-time India Test XI. Rahane, who retired from all forms of cricket in July 2026, picked Sachin Tendulkar over Kohli at No.4 and opted for a fast attack with Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, leaving out Bumrah.

Rahane made the choice during an interaction with Sony Sports Network where he was asked to name his India Test XI so far from the players he has played with in international or domestic cricket. His choice also ruled out Rohit Sharma, with Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan named as his preferred opening pair.

The former Indian vice-captain picked Rahul Dravid at No. 3 and then Tendulkar at No. 4. Rahane was placed at No. 5, followed by former India captain MS Dhoni at No. 6, with Dhoni also named as the side’s captain and wicketkeeper.

Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin completed the spin-bowling and all-round options, while Bhuvneshwar, Shami and Ishant set the pace for the attack.

RAHANE GOES OUT, DHONI AS CAPTAIN

Rahane’s decision to include in the playing eleven came along with the selection of several former teammates from successful Indian Test teams. He lined up in the middle order, ahead of Dhoni, who led the team as captain and wicketkeeper.

Dhoni’s inclusion was notable for Rahane’s personal connection with the former Indian captain. Dhoni was Rahane’s first captain in international cricket and was chosen by the former batsman to lead his all-time team.

At the top of the order, Rahane went with Vijay and Dhawan, two players he shared the dressing room with during his India career. Meanwhile, Dravid and Tendulkar occupied the other two batting positions.

The omission of Kohli and Rohit stood out given their importance to the Indian Test team over the last decade. Kohli was not picked at No. 4, Rahane preferred for Tendulkar’s position, while Rohit did not make the cut as an opener.

BUMRAH IS MISSING FROM THE PATIENT ATTACK

Rahane’s pace selection also raised eyebrows, with Bumrah omitted in favor of Bhuvneshwar, Shami and Ishant.

The three selected fast bowlers were part of the Indian team that helped create a formidable pace attack in late 2010. Their performances played a significant role in India’s success in overseas Test cricket, especially during the period when the team began to win more consistently away from home.

Bumrah, meanwhile, has emerged as one of India’s leading fast bowlers across formats and has been a key figure in the Test side in recent years. However, Rahane’s selection was limited to players he had played with in international or domestic cricket, providing important context for his XI selections.

Ashwin and Jadeja were selected to provide spin and all-round options to round out the squad, which included several of Rahane’s former teammates from different stages of his career.

RAHANE’S INTERNATIONAL CAREER

Rahane announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in July, ending a career that included appearances in all three international formats. He last represented India in 2023 in the two-Test series against the West Indies, after which he was dropped from the Test side.

The right-handed batsman ended his Test career with 5077 runs in 85 matches at an average of 38.46. He also played 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is, scoring 2,962 and 375 runs respectively.

Rahane has been a key member of the Indian Test setup for several years and captained the team during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Under his leadership, India won the final Test in Brisbane to clinch the series 2-1 after losing the opening match and being bowled out for 36 runs in Adelaide.

His India Test XI so far brings together players from across his international and domestic careers, with Dhoni leading a team that includes Tendulkar, Dravid, Ashwin, Jadeja and three members of India’s late 2010 pace attack.

Ajinkya Rahane’s Historic India Test XI:

Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (c, wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma

– The end