All Time India Test XI Draft (Shravi)

[Cricketman]

My next pick - Kapil Dev

The greatest Indian fast bowler of all time, a world class allrounder, a fine athlete and a fantastic cricketing mind, there is no need to explain the inclusion of Kapil Dev Nikanj into my XI. With the ball, he had the stamina of a marathon runner and bowled with unrelenting pace, swing, and accuracy to ensure a tough time for the batsman. With the bat, he was an aggressor, taking the attack to the bowlers and piling on the runs. Being the only player in history to take over 400 wickets and score 5,000 runs, Kapil is one of the finest allrounders the world has ever seen. His achievements has earned him the title as the Indian Cricketer of the Century, awarded to him by Wisden in the year 2002.

Welcome, Paaji!

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4. Sachin Tendulkar
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7. Kapil Dev
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Drafted Players

Drafted Players
Sachin Tendulkar (Cricketman)
Rahul Dravid (Shravi)
Sunil Gavaskar (ZD)
Anil Kumble (Leggie)
Kapil Dev (Cricketman)

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Boooo! You get the first two picks and got 2 of the 3 most obvious ones! (Can't believe Leggie didn't take Kapil. FOR SHAME SANJAY BHAI!!!)


BTW Rohit, why did you say there was no need to explain your selection only to follow it up with 5 lines justifying it?

 

[Cricketman]

It adds effect!

I thought Sanjay would've gone with Kapil. I was surprised to see him go with Kumble to be honest, he was going to be my pick in case Kapil wasn't there.

Btw Zorax, there are still plenty of fantastic Indian cricketers out there...

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Yea. I'd list them out, but that isn't allowed...


Still, the 3 best to have played for India are Dev, Sachin and Gavaskar. I do have 2 more names to add if I expand the list to the 5 best...neither have been picked. Hope I get 'em.

 

[Cricketman]

Kumble and Dravid do come close. I think the first 5 picks, despite the order, have been pretty regulation choices.

 

[Brook]

there aren't plenty of fantastic Indian fast bowlers out there...

Corrected for you...

 

[ZoraxDoom]

I've got 4 particular quicks in mind. 2 are obvious, 2...not so much.

 

[Cricketman]

I've got quite a few quicks up my sleeve tbh. We'll see how the draft goes from here on out... Should deffo be interesting.

 

[Brook]

I do too, have to see what you guys come up with.

 

[Leggie]

Alright, my next pick.

Mohammad Azharuddin

I chose Mohammed Azharuddin because he was an outstanding cricketer who held an excellent record in both Tests and limited overs game. He was a graceful right-handed batsman who captained India successfully. He proved hostile towards spin and medium-pace attack, peppering the leg and off-sides with his classic wristy-flicks and timed stroke play. That's why I chose him.

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Mohammed Azharuddin
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Anil Kumble
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Drafted Players
Sachin Tendulkar (Cricketman)
Rahul Dravid (Shravi)
Sunil Gavaskar (ZD)
Anil Kumble (Leggie)
Kapil Dev (Cricketman)
Mohammed Azharuddin (Leggie)

 

[ZoraxDoom]

I thought this pick would be difficult, but it isn't, and I know precisely who I want.

Vinoo Mankad

The first and arguably the finest allrounder ever produced by India, Mulvantrai Mankad was India's first cricketing hero. A good enough batsman to put on a record 413 runs for the first wicket with Pankaj Roy, and a good enough bowler to win India their first test match against England, taking 8/55 and 4/53 on a lifeless track. In an un-official test series against a Lord Tennyson's team in 1937/1938 (2 years after Mankad had made his Test debut), Tennyson was reported to have said that he would already get a place in a World XI.

Test match batting average of 31 and a bowling average of 34 might not look that great on the surface, but he was on of the very few World-class Indian cricketers of his time, and was the heart of any Indian victory during his era.


Gavaskar
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Vinoo Mankad
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Drafted Players
Sachin Tendulkar (Cricketman)
Rahul Dravid (Shravi)
Sunil Gavaskar (ZD)
Anil Kumble (Leggie)
Kapil Dev (Cricketman)
Mohammed Azharuddin (Leggie)
Vinoo Mankad (ZD)


And yes, I do feel Mankad was a better allrounder than Kapil!

 

[nightprowler10]

Was raging nobody had picked him yet. Zorax is a champ. I can see already he'll have the best team.

nightprowler10 added 2 Minutes and 56 Seconds later...

I have been thinking of starting a WI one too.

Consider me as a participant if you do!

 

[ZoraxDoom]

It's either Kapil/Sachin or Gavaskar/Mankad for the best side now. Very interesting, because Gavaskar was the original Sachin, and Mankad was the original Kapil...

4 out of the 5 best Indian cricketers ever in my view have been picked. Gavaskar, Sachin, Mankad and Kapil. The 5th is still out there, and I'm aiming to get him...

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

lol at this. cricketman blatantly rigging the picks so he gets the best players

1st pick always picks last in the second round.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

BOOOOOO! Cricketman rigging the picks! I demand a do-over.


Well, not really. Quite happy with my picks. But still!