India’s Test team has been dominating the format for the last few years. When MS Dhoni quit the Test cricket, the Indian team was reeling at the seventh position in the Test rankings but Virat Kohli changed the face of India’s cricket from thereon. Currently, India is sitting at the top of the Test rankings for the last five years in a row.
However, not many will argue about Team India’s strength back in the 2000s when a new brand of cricket was played by some of the iconic names. A lineup comprising of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble took Indian cricket to new highs and fans still remember how well these players served the nation.
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Not only in India, but these players are also well praised across the cricketing fraternity. These players performed in almost every condition and won hearts wherever they go. It looks Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali is also one of them.
During a recent chat session on Twitter, Azhar was asked about the Indian batsmen he would like to play along in the Test cricket. A question reads, “One Indian batsman you would like to play alongside in Tests?”
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Replying to this answer, he picked VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid as the two players from India to play along in Test cricket. He replied, “Very very special Laxman and Rahul Dravid.”
Very very special Laxman and Rahul Dravid 👌👌👌 @VVSLaxman281 https://t.co/7YsMmMfa4k
— Azhar Ali (@AzharAli_) May 30, 2021
The year 2021 has proved fruitful for Ali, who has scored 407 runs from 8 Test innings at an impressive 58.14, including a century and two half-centuries. The 36-year-old played a crucial knock against Zimbabwe in the second Test at Harare, scoring a patient 240-ball 126 during a record 236-run partnership alongside Abid Ali.
Consuming 450 balls in their second-wicket stand, he ensured that his opponents endured nearly a wicketless day. Pakistan eventually clinched the match by an innings and 147 runs and the series 2-0, after having won the opening Test by an innings margin as well.
