Aakash Chopra picks Kapil Dev ahead of MS Dhoni as skipper for his All-time Indian ODI XI

Sourav Ganguly and Virat Kohli were the players at No. 3 and No. 4 in Chopra’s team followed by Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni. While many would have had Mohammed Azharuddin in place of Yuvraj, Chopra’s decision might have been triggered by the latter’s ability to strike the ball clean and the utility overs that he provided in the middle-overs as a bowler. On the other hand, the presence of Sourav Ganguly at the No. 3 position means, Kohli will be in at No. 4, a position that he batted very rarely. 

While the batting unit looks settled, there was a controversial decision made by the former Delhi opener. Chopra selected Kapil Dev as the only all-rounder in the team, which is fair enough, but “Kapil’s devils” 1983 World Cup-winning campaign overshadowed MS Dhoni’s success in India colours as he gave Kapil the honours to lead the side.

To assist Kapil, Chopra picked Zaheer Khan and Jasprit Bumrah as the two pacers in the team. While Zaheer Khan has been one of the finest, if not the finest fast bowler in India’s history. Bumrah has been on the international circuit for only three years, which makes his selection a little controversial ahead of Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar.

In the form of Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble, Chopra picked a formidable spin bowling force, who at times, can double up as batsmen as well. 

Team : Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Sourav Ganguly, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Kapil Dev, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan, Jasprit Bumrah