Sourav Ganguly is regarded as the India’s finest captain. He is one of the most popular cricketers around the world. Recently, he revealed five current cricketers he would have loved to have in his test team and picked a dream India XI while Speaking to India opener Mayank Agarwal on BCCI’s Twitter handle.

He picked Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma without any surprises. The prince of Calcutta who had Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, Irfan Pathan among other fast bowlers at his command, then picked pace aces Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.

“Every generation the players are different. Players face challenges differently in different generations — pitches, quality of opposition.I would have loved to have Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in the side. I will go for Bumrah because I had Zaheer (Khan) at the other end. I would also go for Mohammed Shami after Javagal Srinath retired because I think Shami is a fantastic bowler,’ Dada disclosed.” Ganguly said.

Ganguly’s choice for the spinner from the current lot of Indian cricketers is a suprise as Ravichandran Ashwin was picked over two great spinners in his team, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.

‘I had Harbhajan and Anil Kumble in my side, so Ashwin would be my third spinner. I would be very tempted to have Ravindra Jadeja also,’ Ganguly, now the BCCI president, said.

For the destructing opening start, duo of Sehwag and Rohit opening the batting, the match could turn in the matter of just one session. Moreover, the likes of Rahul Dravid, Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly and V V S Laxman coming in next is a fearful nightmare for the opposition. Therefore, If any bowling attack managed to get past those batting greats, then there is MS Dhoni who knows how to get pass the block and make a empty space.

Therefore, if it comes for bowling, against the spin trio of Kumble, Harbhajan and Ashwin on the turning tracks in India they must get vulnerable one stage. On the other hand, pace attack comprising Zaheer, Bumrah and Shami would be another nightmare for any team.

Captain Ganguly’s dream India XI

Sourav Ganguly (captain)

Sachin Tendulkar

Virat Kohli

Rohit Sharma

Rahul Dravid

V V S Laxman

Mahendra Singh DhonI

Anil Kumble

Harbhajan Singh

Ravichandran Ashwin

Zaheer Khan

Jasprit Bumrah

Mohammed Shami