Ajinkya Rahane Test XI: Virat Kohli Snub [Confirmed 2026]

Former India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane released his definitive all-time Indian Test XI on October 24, 2026, sparking massive online debate across the global cricket community by unexpectedly excluding modern batting legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. According to verified reports from Sportskeeda Esports & BGMI, the 38-year-old cricketer constructed his historical lineup strictly from teammates he has personally shared the international or domestic pitch with during his illustrious career. Rather than selecting players based purely on all-time career statistics, Rahane initiated his XI by naming legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni as both captain and keeper, citing Dhoni's pivotal role as his very first international skipper. While discussing historical selections, analysts often draw parallels to rising talents, much like [IND vs NZ 2026: Naman Dhir Praised By Irfan Pathan [Confirmed]](/news/naman-dhir-nz-vs-ind-t20i), where mentorship shapes future lineups. The omission of Kohli and Sharma—two of India's most prolific run-scorers in Test history—immediately captivated sports media outlets worldwide. Fans and pundits continue analyzing the criteria behind Rahane's selections, questioning how domestic camaraderie outweighed sheer statistical dominance in setting up this unique historical playing eleven.