2022 Exclusive: Analyzing the Best All-format Playing 11 for Team India

Rohit Sharma to lead as we look at the current best all-format playing 11 for Team India in 2022. 

When Cricket as a game was invented, the world was introduced to only one format – Test cricket. The longest format of the game played with a red ball required players to be mentally and physically fit. Given that the game usually runs for 5 days, it makes the toughest format for players to play.

But Fast forward to 2022, the game of Cricket has 3 recognizable formats; Test Cricket, ODI Cricket, and T20 Cricket. All these formats have their own uniqueness and bring their own challenges. With a unique set of challenges seen in different formats, not all players are suited to play all 3 formats. But there are a good number of players that play all 3 formats.

These players are usually the fittest and have adapted the game in a way that makes them an undeniable force across the game. But who are these top players for Team India who are currently representing India in all 3 formats? Well, let’s find out this article where we cover the current best all-format playing 11 for Team India in 2022. 

From the player selection point of view, they would either be representing India in all three formats, have been a part of the overall squad, or have at least been in contention to play in all three formats. As the Test format is the one that is the most unique of all, it is important for the player to have their representation in this format as the primary requirement.   

Openers: Rohit Sharma (C) & KL Rahul

The opening department is an area where there is no debate when it comes to openers representing the Indian team in all three formats. The duo of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul actually represent Team India as the first-choice openers in two of the three formats – Tests and T2OIs. For ODIs, Team India still have Shikhar Dhawan paired alongside Rohit Sharma, but KL Rahul acts as a backup opener and a first-choice middle-order player.

Overall, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are the current best openers for Team India, and will always be the first-choice when it comes to our all-format playing 11. In addition, Rohit Sharma is also the captain for Team India in all 3 formats. He will also be leading Team India in the upcoming T20 and ODI World Cup. 

Middle-order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer & Rishabh Pant

Coming to the middle-order, look no beyond Virat Kohli at the number 3 position. While Virat plays at 4 in Tests, he is a key batter for India at 3 in ODIs and T20Is. Overall, Virat is also the leading run-scorer for Team India in two of the three formats with Rohit being the leading run-scorer in T20Is. 

The number 4 shall have Shreyas Iyer in this playing 11. Having been representing Team India in ODIs and T20Is for a few years now, his recent impressive debut in the Test matches has made him a sure-shot contender for Team India in the Test squad as well. Hopefully, Shreyas continues to impress, and keeps growing as a player. 

Talking about the wicket-keeper finisher of the squad, there’s no alternative to Rishabh Pant. He represents Team India as the first-choice keeper in all 3 formats. Ever since MS Dhoni hung up his boots in International cricket, Rishabh Pant has made this position of his own. Since, 2021, Rishabh Pant has scored 1720 runs from 49 innings in all three formats; the highest by any Indian player. 

Spinners: Ravindra Jadeja & Ravichandran Ashwin

Coming to the spinners, there are only two names who represent or are in contention to represent Team India in all 3 formats – Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. While Jaddu is undoubtedly the best all-rounder for Team India currently, Ashwin’s comeback in the ODI and T20I squad makes him the second-choice spinner of the squad.

However, post the 2021 T20 World Cup, Ashwin hasn’t been included in the squad, which seems interesting as he did well in that tournament. But the fact remains that Ravichandran Ashwin is Team India’s best all-format spinner at the moment. Hopefully, he makes a comeback in the T20I side too after having represented the ODI team recently.  

Pacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami & Mohammed Siraj

Coming to the pacers, three names make the cut without any doubt – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Shardul Thakur. They have been representing Team India in all three formats for a few years now, and doing it successfully. They also happen to be the first-choice pacers when it comes to playing Tests in SENA conditions. 

The fourth pacer, Mohammed Siraj may not have represented India in the ODIs or T20Is, but has always been in contention off late, and had also been included in the squads. While there is no alternative to him in the currently at the moment, he is still Team India’s third-best pacer in Tests. It is only a matter of time, he is included in the playing 11 of T20Is and ODIs too. 

Current Best All-format Playing 11 for Team India in 2022:

Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami & Jasprit Bumrah

So, that completes the current best all-format playing 11 for Team India in 2022. Of these 11 players, 10 of them have represented India in all 3 formats in the last few years. Whereas Siraj has been in contention to represent. Apart from these, the guys that can see themselves representing the Indian team in all 3 formats include Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Axar Patel, Umran Malik & Shubman Gill. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your all-format playing 11 for Team India in 2022? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.