Tendulkar only Indian in Graeme Swann's all time Test XI

Tendulkar only Indian in Graeme Swann's all time Test XI

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Written by: SportsCafe Desk

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Former England spinner Graeme Swann has picked Sachin Tendulkar as the only Indian in his all-time Test XI, a part of the series by the MCC at Lord's. Swann, who chose himself as the second spinner of the side, did not include other Indian greats like Sunil Gavaskar, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid.

Starting with the openers, Swann picked Jack Hobbs, who was his grandfather's favourite cricketer, and Gordon Greenridge. Greenridge's opening partner, Desmond Haynes missed out because Swann wanted a player who could play strokes and looked mean as well. 

At No. 3, he chose the greatest No. 3 ever, Sir Donald Bradman, and slotted Brian Lara at No. 4. Swann believes Lara is the best player he's ever bowled to. Coming in at a position lower than his usual, Sachin Tendulkar, arguably the best player of his generation, finds himself at No. 5 in Swann's team. The contest for the all-rounder's spot was a toss up between Jacques Kallis and Sir Garfield Sobers. However, the fact that he is a left-arm bowler played in Sir Garfield's favour and he makes the team ahead of the South African great.

Swann picks up Adam Gilchrist as his keeper, because he believes no player in history is a better wicketkeeper-batsman than Gilchrist. Gilchrist also earns this place courtesy of his skills keeping to Shane Warne, who comes in as the first spinner in Swann's team. Swann calls him the 'Best bowler of all time. Period. Full Stop. No arguments at all.'

In a not-so-surprising decision, Swann picks himself as the second spinner in the side. Swann played 60 Tests for England picking up 255 wickets at 29.96.

Two of the best swing bowlers of all-time, Glenn McGrath and Wasim Akram take the final two spots in Swann's team and 12th man James Anderson completes the line-up.

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