Graeme Smith and VVS Laxman pick the dream team to challenge India at home in Tests

Team India has been near-invincible at home in Tests. They have lost only a single Test in last 32 matches and are literally thumping South Africa at the moment in the ongoing three-match series. After winning the first two games, the home side is once again piling on the runs batting first in Ranchi. The utter dominance has led to the cricket experts Graeme Smith and VVS Laxman picking the World XI which will at least challenge India at home.

This XI comprises of the players from all over the world which also includes two of current fab four batsmen. Kane Williamson and Steve Smith walk into this team without any doubt. The duo can score in any conditions and they have done the same in Asia as well. Rather Smith played one of the greatest knocks on a square turner in Pune in the second innings in 2017. One of these two players might lead the team as well.

Babar Azam also picked in the team to challenge India

Williamson and Smith will mostly bat at number three and four respectively. But opening the innings is a huge responsibility in India. And Smith and Laxman feel Dean Elgar and Tamim Iqbal are the best to do the job. Actually, the latter’s pick is the surprising one as Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne piles up runs at will especially in Asia while opening the innings.

Pakistan newly appointed T20I captain Babar Azam has been picked in this team to bat at number five. Though he hasn’t played in India at all, the talented batsman will surely be the one to watch out for. Shakib Al Hasan and Ben Stokes are the two perfect all-rounders picked by the former India and South Africa greats while speaking to the Star Sports.

While Shakib’s left-arm spin will keep the Indian batsmen on the tenterhooks, Stokes will relentlessly bowl and bat whenever the team needs. Quinton de Kock will be the wicket-keeper in this XI and rightly so. The left-hander slammed an authoritative ton in the first of the ongoing Test series. His work behind the stumps against the turning ball is also brilliant.

The bowling attack finally, comprises of Pat Cummins, Jofra Archer and Nathan Lyon. Cummins and Lyon were in India in 2017 and did extremely well. Archer’s career has just begun but he can make the ball talk when at his best.

Here’s the dream team: Dean Elgar, Tamim Iqbal, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, Babar Azam, Shakib Al Hasan, Ben Stokes, Quinton de Kock (wk), Pat Cummins, Jofra Archer, Nathan Lyon.

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