The greatest Asian Test team of all time

[Joseph Gomes]

Waqar debuted in 89 so I won't count him in 80s at all.

Wasim averaged 28-29 in 80s, hardly an ATG performer.

IK was the only one.

I mentioned 80s and 90s, not just 80s

 

[Unleashed]

It's quite clearly the greatest Asian test team of all time. Anyone denying it is quite simply deluded.
Dominant in the Home matches whilst have defeated the mighty Aussies in their own home in two consecutive series whilst some team countries are still looking for a win there in four decades or something. Truth can be painful but should be accepted IMO.

 

[Robert]

It's quite clearly the greatest Asian test team of all time. Anyone denying it is quite simply deluded.
Dominant in the Home matches whilst have defeated the mighty Aussies in their own home in two consecutive series whilst some team countries are still looking for a win there in four decades or something. Truth can be painful but should be accepted IMO.

Well, that’s the point, the Aussies were not “mighty”. They had the weakest batting in their history.

India hasn’t beaten anyone good.

 

[Unleashed]

Well, that’s the point, the Aussies were not “mighty”. They had the weakest batting in their history.

India hasn’t beaten anyone good.

Alright mate, whatever helps in you sleeping properly at night.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Well, that’s the point, the Aussies were not “mighty”. They had the weakest batting in their history.

India hasn’t beaten anyone good.

Current England batting isn't the strongest either. England team relies heavily on Root.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

I don't know about greatest Asian team or not.. But definitely it is the greatest Indian Test team for me.
Only 2 Test ATG material players with Kohli and Ashwin and Bumrah in future, but this team is sum of its parts.

 

[Ab Fan]

The Australian team of 2020 is better than all the Australian team except between 1995-2007, a phase when they didn't lost to any team in Australia.

The Australian team of 80s and 2010 were inferior to Australian team of 2020.

Smith
Warner
Labuschagne
Cummins
Hazelwood
Lyon
Starc

7 world class players, one captain( Tim Paine), one youngster( Green) and two middling players( Wade( a poor man's Rishabh) and Joe Burns).

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

The Australian team of 2020 is better than all the Australian team except between 1995-2007, a phase when they didn't lost to any team in Australia.

The Australian team of 80s and 2010 were inferior to Australian team of 2020.

Smith
Warner
Labuschagne
Cummins
Hazelwood
Lyon
Starc

7 world class players, one captain( Tim Paine), one youngster( Green) and two middling players( Wade( a poor man's Rishabh) and Joe Burns).

Agree. Lot of people trying to downplay them since they lost to India. This same team has blown away Pakistan and Sri Lanka.. and England will be blown away come the Ashes.

 

[Robert]

Current England batting isn't the strongest either. England team relies heavily on Root.

Agreed, this England side is awful and yet still managed to beat the alleged GOAT Asian Team by an innings at Leeds.

Compare Miandad’s 1992 side who beat a much stronger England away. (England did win one match, but there was something dodgy about it with Gooch being run out by two yards and nobody appealing.)

 

[shaz619]

Australia lost against India in 2001 and then drew at home in 2004. Not a GOAT team i guess.

AUS hadn’t peaked by 2001 and were still incredibly competitive in India, you drew in 2004 because of no Mcgrath or Warne, delusional as usual.

 

[shaz619]

Only the Indians consider this team the best ever from asia, England fans find that beyond laughable

 

[mastimasti]

What many of the fake Indian fans who don't follow cricket but just have the jai hind mentality seem to be ignoring is, this same "GOAT Asian Test Team" just lost by an innings to one of the worst England teams of all time.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Well, that’s the point, the Aussies were not “mighty”. They had the weakest batting in their history.

India hasn’t beaten anyone good.

The defeated rarely looks good.

The same arguement can be made for many dominant teams of the past whose glory years coincided with the weak era of many of their opponents.

Not fair to discredit what India has achieved over the last few years as a test team. Apart from NZ, they have competed fiercely everywhere.

 

[Mesozoic]

Well, that’s the point, the Aussies were not “mighty”. They had the weakest batting in their history.

India hasn’t beaten anyone good.

And the same Australian team thrashed England 4-0, New Zealand 3-0 and Pakistan 2-0.

Just love how every team becomes "not good" whenever India beats them. Agree the current Aussie team is not as good as Waugh's or Ponting's but still they're incredibly strong, especially at home.

 

[Mesozoic]

I don't know about greatest Asian team or not.. But definitely it is the greatest Indian Test team for me.
Only 2 Test ATG material players with Kohli and Ashwin and Bumrah in future, but this team is sum of its parts.

Agree. Still some work to be done before getting that "GOAT Asian team" tag. South Africa is yet to be conquered. Winning the WTC in 2023 will just cement that..

Until then, the Indian team of late 2000s will sit on the throne..

 

[Mesozoic]

What many of the fake Indian fans who don't follow cricket but just have the jai hind mentality seem to be ignoring is, this same "GOAT Asian Test Team" just lost by an innings to one of the worst England teams of all time.

And we're still leading 2-1...

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Agreed, this England side is awful and yet still managed to beat the alleged GOAT Asian Team by an innings at Leeds.

Compare Miandad’s 1992 side who beat a much stronger England away. (England did win one match, but there was something dodgy about it with Gooch being run out by two yards and nobody appealing.)

Lol . England from 1985-1999 were a terrible test side.

 

[Mamoon]

What some people fail to grasp is that to be the GOAT Asian Test team, you do not need to have a flawless record; you simply need to be better than other Asian sides, past and present. It is all relative.

This Indian team is not flawless and does not have a flawless record over the past 6 years. However, let’s take a look at their achievements.

- They have spent more time at the top of ICC Test rankings compared to another Asian team in the past.

The ranking system was not there in the past, but if use historic data points and adjust the formula, this Indian has still spent the most time at the top of the rankings compared to other Asian sides.

- They have two Test series wins in Australia. All other Asian sides collectively have 0.

- In the 2010-2020 decade, no team spent more time at the top of the ICC rankings than any other team in that decade. No other Asian side in the past has dominated a decade in such fashion.

- They have, by far, the most dominant and brutal home record in history as far as Asian teams are concerned.

- They are also on the brink of winning a series in England. People will obviously dismiss this series win because the England team is weak at the moment, however, had India lost, they would have called India overrated for not beating a weak England team.

Based on these achievements, no Asian side of the past has a stronger claim at the GOAT Asian Test team tag.

You have to be complete bonkers - a permanent resident of cloud cuckoo land - to argue otherwise.

Unfortunately, some people just cannot accept the reality because of how bitter it is. No amount of mental gymnastics and straw-clutching will change the fact that 2015-present Indian team boasts more achievements than any Asian team of the past.

 

[MP2011]

India hasn’t beaten anyone good.

Easy to guess why you are trolling.

Lol, not beaten anyone good. Same Aussies were thrashing everyone who came to their shores. Since India beat them they became no good.

 

[MP2011]

Lol . England from 1985-1999 were a terrible test side.

England have been terrible for decades except for an year here or there.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

What some people fail to grasp is that to be the GOAT Asian Test team, you do not need to have a flawless record; you simply need to be better than other Asian sides, past and present. It is all relative.

This Indian team is not flawless and does not have a flawless record over the past 6 years. However, let’s take a look at their achievements.

- They have spent more time at the top of ICC Test rankings compared to another Asian team in the past.

The ranking system was not there in the past, but if use historic data points and adjust the formula, this Indian has still spent the most time at the top of the rankings compared to other Asian sides.

- They have two Test series wins in Australia. All other Asian sides collectively have 0.

- In the 2010-2020 decade, no team spent more time at the top of the ICC rankings than any other team in that decade. No other Asian side in the past has dominated a decade in such fashion.

- They have, by far, the most dominant and brutal home record in history as far as Asian teams are concerned.

- They are also on the brink of winning a series in England. People will obviously dismiss this series win because the England team is weak at the moment, however, had India lost, they would have called India overrated for not beating a weak England team.

Based on these achievements, no Asian side of the past has a stronger claim at the GOAT Asian Test team tag.

You have to be complete bonkers - a permanent resident of cloud cuckoo land - to argue otherwise.

Unfortunately, some people just cannot accept the reality because of how bitter it is. No amount of mental gymnastics and straw-clutching will change the fact that 2015-present Indian team boasts more achievements than any Asian team of the past.

The ironic thing is English posters are downgrading the current English team just to put down India and hype their late 80's team to show why Pakistan were better. Such puerile logic. England had the lowest W/L ratio between 1985 and 1990 at 0.3 (6 wins and 20 losses) From 1986 , it was even worse as they only won 2 test matches till the end of the decade. Second lowest W/L ratio was that of India's and it was more than twice that of England's in that period.

Some of the series that England played at home. 0-1 loss to NZ, 0-2 loss to India, 0-4 thrashing by the Windies, 0-4 thrashing to a weak AB-led Australia )
Compared to that 0-1 loss to Pakistan in a 5 test match series does not even stand out. In fact, it's a damning indictment of Pakistan at the time.
Pakistan could not even more than 1 test match when England toured Pakistan later.
Only SL was weaker than England at the time.

Pakistan lost to SL and didn't do anything against a weak AUS in AUS either. Current Australian batting is twice what Australia's batting in the late 80's was.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

England have been terrible for decades except for an year here or there.

Nah nah. They were minnow esque in the late 80's. I think they lost all their home series in 86/87/88/89 . even West indies of today don't lose that consistently at home. Current English team is much better than that. They hadn't lost at home for the last 7 years until NZ earlier this year.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Best Indian fast bowling unit in history. Has been the case for a while. While that is happening this is also turning into the worst batting unit of India ever. Given the woeful batting standard for this era, India is able to successfully mask it. Best Asian team ever? That is debatable. Relatively better in this era. Would this team beat an Indian team of 2000s? Australian side of 2000s? I doubt so.

 

[Robert]

Lol . England from 1985-1999 were a terrible test side.

1985-89 yes.

The 1990s sides beat India and NZ at home, beat NZ away, held WI at home twice, and beat SA at home.

Gooch, Atherton, Stewart, Thorpe, Gower, Smith, Tufnell, Cork, Gough and Caddick would all walk into the current test side.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

1985-89 yes.

The 1990s sides beat India and NZ at home, beat NZ away, held WI at home twice, and beat SA at home.

Gooch, Atherton, Stewart, Thorpe, Gower, Smith, Tufnell, Cork, Gough and Caddick would all walk into the current test side.

That was an error on my part. I meant until the end of 89.

 

[Robert]

England have been terrible for decades except for an year here or there.

2000-2010:

Beat WI 3-1, 0-3 and 4-0
Beat Pakistan away 0-1
Beat SL away 1-2, coming from behind
Beat SA away 1-2
Beat Australia at home to win back the Ashes at last
Beat Pakistan 2-0
Beat Australia at home again
Beat Australia away to reach test #1 ranking

The current team is useless compared to those guys. Who of the current team would get in to Vaughan’s 2005 team? Root for Bell and that’s it.

 

[Robert]

That was an error on my part. I meant until the end of 89.

I agree about the late eighties mob, they were awful. No bowling other than Dilley when he was fit, terrible reactive selections, and chaos regarding who was skipper.

 

[mastimasti]

And we're still leading 2-1...

The point? I think it's terrific we're leading but it's different to stating we're the best ever.

 

[subshakerz]

What some people fail to grasp is that to be the GOAT Asian Test team, you do not need to have a flawless record; you simply need to be better than other Asian sides, past and present. It is all relative.

This Indian team is not flawless and does not have a flawless record over the past 6 years. However, let’s take a look at their achievements.

- They have spent more time at the top of ICC Test rankings compared to another Asian team in the past.

The ranking system was not there in the past, but if use historic data points and adjust the formula, this Indian has still spent the most time at the top of the rankings compared to other Asian sides.

- They have two Test series wins in Australia. All other Asian sides collectively have 0.

- In the 2010-2020 decade, no team spent more time at the top of the ICC rankings than any other team in that decade. No other Asian side in the past has dominated a decade in such fashion.

- They have, by far, the most dominant and brutal home record in history as far as Asian teams are concerned.

- They are also on the brink of winning a series in England. People will obviously dismiss this series win because the England team is weak at the moment, however, had India lost, they would have called India overrated for not beating a weak England team.

Based on these achievements, no Asian side of the past has a stronger claim at the GOAT Asian Test team tag.

You have to be complete bonkers - a permanent resident of cloud cuckoo land - to argue otherwise.

Unfortunately, some people just cannot accept the reality because of how bitter it is. No amount of mental gymnastics and straw-clutching will change the fact that 2015-present Indian team boasts more achievements than any Asian team of the past.

Team India between 2007-2011:

- Won in England and New Zealand, drew in South Africa against a very strong side, unbeaten at home , won the T20 Trophy and World Cup and rose to no.1 in test, T20 and ODIs

 

[Mesozoic]

The point?

The point being that it's absolutely ridiculous to take potshots like "this GOAT team lost by an innings" or "got all out for 36" even after leading/winning the series' 2-1. Comes across as as being salty and a classy sour grapes scenario.

I think it's terrific we're leading but it's different to stating we're the best ever.

And here comes the strawman when everything fails. Who's saying we're the "best ever"?

Saying this team will go down as the greatest Asian test team of all time is completely different from saying we are the best ever. I'd like to assume you're literate enough to grasp the difference.

 

[MP2011]

The current team is useless compared to those guys. Who of the current team would get in to Vaughan’s 2005 team? Root for Bell and that’s it.

I know for sure, 10 years hence you'll be singing a different tune that how your 2020 team was so much better than your 2030 team.

It's natural to see your past with rose-tinted glasses.

 

[MP2011]

Current English team is much better than that. They hadn't lost at home for the last 7 years until NZ earlier this year.

Who got lucky with a 2-test series against an English side which was missing so many of its first-choice players.

 

[Robert]

I know for sure, 10 years hence you'll be singing a different tune that how your 2020 team was so much better than your 2030 team.

It's natural to see your past with rose-tinted glasses.

Possibly, it depends if the next generation is even worse than the current. Given that the ECB wants to make money from the 100 instead of produce test batters it could well be that Root and Stokes are the last significant England batsmen.

If you look at my previous posts you’ll see me highly critical of the England late-eighties side. I remember the good but don’t filter out the bad. The 1989 Ashes hurt me more than India ever could.

What you call rose-tinted I call objective fact-based historical understanding. That’s how I know that, while the current Indian fast bowling array is their best ever, their batting is the weakest in forty years.

 

[Robert]

Who got lucky with a 2-test series against an English side which was missing so many of its first-choice players.

A stronger England line could only draw with them in their visit before. This Kiwi side is their best ever.

 

[mastimasti]

The point being that it's absolutely ridiculous to take potshots like "this GOAT team lost by an innings" or "got all out for 36" even after leading/winning the series' 2-1. Comes across as as being salty and a classy sour grapes scenario.





And here comes the strawman when everything fails. Who's saying we're the "best ever"?

Saying this team will go down as the greatest Asian test team of all time is completely different from saying we are the best ever. I'd like to assume you're literate enough to grasp the difference.

Erm...so saying you're the best Asian test team means you are not the best ever? Ok I'll simply make my sentence more detailed...the best ever ASIAN team. LOL bus kar bai!

 

[jnaveen1980]

2000 Indian batting unit/ 2021 Indian bowling unit. Combo of this will be deadly. I very much doubt Kohli/Rahane/Pujara/Rohit/KL Rahul will find a spot in that line up.

 

[Swashbuckler]

So suddenly Australia is a weak side because India beat them. A squad having Warner, Labuschagne, Smith, Cummins, Lyon, Starc, Hazlewood, Pattinson is suddenly weak?

If they are so weak why couldn't NZ and Pakistan hammer them the previous summer before India's tour. Surely they could have fought them close, did they? Did NZ or Pak dominate a single session in those 5 tests?

England has 5 tests in Australia this summer, let us see how things unfold.

 

[MP2011]

England has 5 tests in Australia this summer, let us see how things unfold.

Then suddenly Australian team will get strong.

The same Australian team thrashed the England team when they last time visited Australian shores.

 

[anikrc1]

This all time talks are nothing buthypothtical. We can all argue whether mcgrath would have destroyed kohli or not, but in the end there is no way to prove it. The best a team or a player can do is be he best of their era.

 

[jnaveen1980]

This all time talks are nothing buthypothtical. We can all argue whether mcgrath would have destroyed kohli or not, but in the end there is no way to prove it. The best a team or a player can do is be he best of their era.

But you have to admit that Australian side was one of the best in history. They had 2 separate streaks test wins. They won like 3 world cups in a row. They always had someone to step up to the plate for them. Also bloody mentally very strong under Steve waugh.

 

[Mamoon]

Team India between 2007-2011:

- Won in England and New Zealand, drew in South Africa against a very strong side, unbeaten at home , won the T20 Trophy and World Cup and rose to no.1 in test, T20 and ODIs

2007-11 Indian team was an excellent side but not as good as the current one. They did not have the fast bowling resources to win in places like Australia.

They lost in Australia in 2007-08 against a pretty average Australian pace attack. That Indian team would not have been able to win two series in Australia against a bowling attack of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon.

They certainly achieved more in LOIs though, but that has no relevance when we are talking about performances in Test cricket.

 

[subshakerz]

2007-11 Indian team was an excellent side but not as good as the current one. They did not have the fast bowling resources to win in places like Australia.

They lost in Australia in 2007-08 against a pretty average Australian pace attack. That Indian team would not have been able to win two series in Australia against a bowling attack of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon.

They certainly achieved more in LOIs though, but that has no relevance when we are talking about performances in Test cricket.

That 2007 Aussie attack had Brett Lee during his brief world class phase, Mitch Johnson who was Starc level, and Stuart Clarke, who was a Hazelwood type bowler. It was still a good attack, and they were far ahead batting wise as a team to Australia today. It was a much better test side than Australia 2020.

If you are suggesting that 2007 - 2011 Indian batting lineup couldnt do a better performance that India 2018 and 2020 then you must be joking.

 

[Ab Fan]

Only those who think that Mike Atherton is better or as good as Alastair Cook, David Gower is as good as Joe Root and Caddick and Fraser are comparable to Anderson are the ones that will suggest this Indian team is the weakest no.1 team. The weakest no.1 team that has maintained no.1 rankings for five consecutive years and won multiple test series in Australia and West Indies and will at worse retain the series vs England.

 

[Mamoon]

That 2007 Aussie attack had Brett Lee during his brief world class phase, Mitch Johnson who was Starc level, and Stuart Clarke, who was a Hazelwood type bowler. It was still a good attack, and they were far ahead batting wise as a team to Australia today. It was a much better test side than Australia 2020.

If you are suggesting that 2007 - 2011 Indian batting lineup couldnt do a better performance that India 2018 and 2020 then you must be joking.

Brett Lee was always an average Test bowler and even during his so-called world class phase, he was not as good as Cummins who is almost as good as McGrath.

Johnson outside his 2013-14 purple patch was a poor man’s Starc.

Stuart Clark was nowhere near Hazlewood.

Batting wise, they were not far ahead of the 2020 Australian team. Most of the big guns were on their last legs. A lot of them retired after that series.

2020 version of Smith, Warner and Labuschagne would walk into that Australian lineup.

My point is that an Indian team that could not win in Australia against Johnson, Lee, Clark and Hogg can certainly not win against an Australian attack of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon.

2007-2011 India had stronger batting, but the quality of fast bowling and the fitness culture of Kohli’s India is way superior.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Brett Lee was always an average Test bowler and even during his so-called world class phase, he was not as good as Cummins who is almost as good as McGrath.

Johnson outside his 2013-14 purple patch was a poor man’s Starc.

Stuart Clark was nowhere near Hazlewood.

Batting wise, they were not far ahead of the 2020 Australian team. Most of the big guns were on their last legs. A lot of them retired after that series.

2020 version of Smith, Warner and Labuschagne would walk into that Australian lineup.

My point is that an Indian team that could not win in Australia against Johnson, Lee, Clark and Hogg can certainly not win against an Australian attack of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon.

2007-2011 India had stronger batting, but the quality of fast bowling and the fitness culture of Kohli’s India is way superior.

If we had DRS India would have won the SCG test. That series was India's for the taking.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Well, that’s the point, the Aussies were not “mighty”. They had the weakest batting in their history.

India hasn’t beaten anyone good.

Who was Missing during the last tour?

 

[cricketjoshila]

So suddenly Australia is a weak side because India beat them. A squad having Warner, Labuschagne, Smith, Cummins, Lyon, Starc, Hazlewood, Pattinson is suddenly weak?

If they are so weak why couldn't NZ and Pakistan hammer them the previous summer before India's tour. Surely they could have fought them close, did they? Did NZ or Pak dominate a single session in those 5 tests?

England has 5 tests in Australia this summer, let us see how things unfold.

Mr.Robert from England will be nowhere to be found or will be cursing the English team when they tour Australia this summer.

NZ was white washed by Australia during their last visit.

Pakistan was beaten black and blue in Australia.

And India beat them and beat them in Gabba.

At worst India will draw the England series.

I hope we do well in SA.

But but then hear them say how NZ is the best team.

 

[Robert]

Who was Missing during the last tour?

My error, thought the Sandpaper Syndicate was still banned, but it was back by then. Getting my series mixed up. Australia were not weak.

 

[Faiz1978]

Lol . England from 1985-1999 were a terrible test side.

they won Ashes in 1987 in Australia beaten India in India by 2-1 , Ian Botham , David Gower , Alan Lamb, Gooch all of them were world class players .

 

[Robert]

Only those who think that Mike Atherton is better or as good as Alastair Cook, David Gower is as good as Joe Root and Caddick and Fraser are comparable to Anderson are the ones that will suggest this Indian team is the weakest no.1 team. The weakest no.1 team that has maintained no.1 rankings for five consecutive years and won multiple test series in Australia and West Indies and will at worse retain the series vs England.

It would be interesting to see how Cook would go against the top quicks Atherton faced, given that Cook had been sorted out a few times by good fast bowlers.

Gower was as talented an England batter as I ever saw and averaged 50 away. He was as good against spin as Root. Again, it would be interesting to see Root face the same quicks that Gower did.

Gough and Caddick had some fine performances with the Kookaburra overseas, while as we know Anderson does little with that ball, or even with the Duke on flat decks in sunshine.

 

[Faiz1978]

Mr.Robert from England will be nowhere to be found or will be cursing the English team when they tour Australia this summer.

NZ was white washed by Australia during their last visit.

Pakistan was beaten black and blue in Australia.

And India beat them and beat them in Gabba.

At worst India will draw the England series.

I hope we do well in SA.

But but then hear them say how NZ is the best team.

NZ thrashed India in both tests thereafter in WTC final too, NZ won series in England also , yes no doubt wining series in Australia by India is big achievement no two thoughts , though India is not paying like great side in England both side have poor batting side so match result depends on who performs worst.

 

[TheSultan]

Agreed, this England side is awful and yet still managed to beat the alleged GOAT Asian Team by an innings at Leeds.

Compare Miandad’s 1992 side who beat a much stronger England away. (England did win one match, but there was something dodgy about it with Gooch being run out by two yards and nobody appealing.)

Exactly and the current series isn’t even finished yet.

The 1992 pak side would beat any Asian team in history. The 1987 Pakistan team also beat an all conquering England side who won the ashes and everything else down under the previous winter.

Let’s also mention that in 1992, England had the no1 and no2 rates batsmen in the world - Gooch and Robin Smith. The same england side drew 2-2 with Viv’s West Indies the year before.

I do have to point out one thing though. The gooch runout in 92 was as clear as day - Pakistan did appeal, but david constant who was a thorn in pakistan’s side for years turned the appeal down. There were also countless LBWs that were turned down in that match too. However credit where it’s due, England played a good horses for courses strategy in the bowling in that match and Gooch played one of the great test innings in the first innings.

 

[TheSultan]

What some people fail to grasp is that to be the GOAT Asian Test team, you do not need to have a flawless record; you simply need to be better than other Asian sides, past and present. It is all relative.

This Indian team is not flawless and does not have a flawless record over the past 6 years. However, let’s take a look at their achievements.

- They have spent more time at the top of ICC Test rankings compared to another Asian team in the past.

The ranking system was not there in the past, but if use historic data points and adjust the formula, this Indian has still spent the most time at the top of the rankings compared to other Asian sides.

- They have two Test series wins in Australia. All other Asian sides collectively have 0.

- In the 2010-2020 decade, no team spent more time at the top of the ICC rankings than any other team in that decade. No other Asian side in the past has dominated a decade in such fashion.

- They have, by far, the most dominant and brutal home record in history as far as Asian teams are concerned.

- They are also on the brink of winning a series in England. People will obviously dismiss this series win because the England team is weak at the moment, however, had India lost, they would have called India overrated for not beating a weak England team.

Based on these achievements, no Asian side of the past has a stronger claim at the GOAT Asian Test team tag.

You have to be complete bonkers - a permanent resident of cloud cuckoo land - to argue otherwise.

Unfortunately, some people just cannot accept the reality because of how bitter it is. No amount of mental gymnastics and straw-clutching will change the fact that 2015-present Indian team boasts more achievements than any Asian team of the past.

Ok Great criteria. They need to be better than past or present asian sides. The Imran-led team was UNBEATEN in test series from 1982/83-1989. And of course playing against a GOAT side as opponents during that time - something kohli’s team cannot claim.

When Kohli’s team goes unbeaten for that long and includes ATG / GOAT opponents, then you can talk. Until then, you can stop beating your chest.

 

[Buffet]

The Imran-led team was UNBEATEN in test series from 1982/83-1989.

Not correct.

Pakistan lost to Aus 0-2 in 1984.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-in-australia-test-series-1983-84-60514/match-results

 

[ravisurya]

Not correct.

Pakistan lost to Aus 0-2 in 1984.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-in-australia-test-series-1983-84-60514/match-results

They lost to the Kiwis too in 1985

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-in-new-zealand-test-series-1984-85-60525/match-results

 

[ravisurya]

They lost to the Kiwis too in 1985

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-in-new-zealand-test-series-1984-85-60525/match-results

Then to Australia again in 89-90

 

[Buffet]

they won Ashes in 1987 in Australia beaten India in India by 2-1 , Ian Botham , David Gower , Alan Lamb, Gooch all of them were world class players .

Nah poster is right on target. You can always pick one series here and there, but here is over all W/L ratio of all teams from 1985-1999 Eng was literally the worst performing team in those 15 years.

 

[Robert]

Exactly and the current series isn’t even finished yet.

The 1992 pak side would beat any Asian team in history. The 1987 Pakistan team also beat an all conquering England side who won the ashes and everything else down under the previous winter.

Let’s also mention that in 1992, England had the no1 and no2 rates batsmen in the world - Gooch and Robin Smith. The same england side drew 2-2 with Viv’s West Indies the year before.

I do have to point out one thing though. The gooch runout in 92 was as clear as day - Pakistan did appeal, but david constant who was a thorn in pakistan’s side for years turned the appeal down. There were also countless LBWs that were turned down in that match too. However credit where it’s due, England played a good horses for courses strategy in the bowling in that match and Gooch played one of the great test innings in the first innings.

Good grief. Thirty years ago, but as I recall, Gooch had basically given up on that run. He was miles out. Not a few inches but several feet. I remember thinking “that’s not right”.

 

[TheSultan]

Not correct.

Pakistan lost to Aus 0-2 in 1984.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-in-australia-test-series-1983-84-60514/match-results

I said “Imran-led”. Imran was recovering from his shin stress fracture and was not captain and also in the Aus series played as a batsman only. He didn’t play in thr 1985 series vs NZ at all.

Apology accepted in advance

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Agree. Still some work to be done before getting that "GOAT Asian team" tag. South Africa is yet to be conquered. Winning the WTC in 2023 will just cement that..

Until then, the Indian team of late 2000s will sit on the throne..

Yeah A and E in SENA, then target S and N
WC 2023 team will be under lot of pressure. Need some more young batters apart from Rohit and Kohli.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I said “Imran-led”. Imran was recovering from his shin stress fracture and was not captain and also in the Aus series played as a batsman only. He didn’t play in thr 1985 series vs NZ at all.

Apology accepted in advance

5 of the series led by him were drawn. Pakistan did not beat WIndies either at home or away in a series under Imran. During that period in any given series where he won a test he did not win more than one test. That period was from 1986 to 1989. Hardly world beating stuff.

 

[Buffet]

I said “Imran-led”. Imran was recovering from his shin stress fracture and was not captain and also in the Aus series played as a batsman only. He didn’t play in thr 1985 series vs NZ at all.

Apology accepted in advance

IK is listed as captain in the series decider which Pakistan lost,

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...lia-vs-pakistan-5th-test-63360/full-scorecard

IK is also listed as captain in the previous match,

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...lia-vs-pakistan-4th-test-63359/full-scorecard

 

[Cryptic]

india

 

[sweep_shot]

It used to be Pakistan but it is India now.

 

[Unleashed]

Given the rest of Asian teams record in Australia(When did Pakistan even drew a match in Australia?) and India's recent record in Australia, it's an easy hypothesis to make that this Indian team is the greatest Asian team of all time.

As I said above, anyone denying it is purely deluding itself.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

Well, that’s the point, the Aussies were not “mighty”. They had the weakest batting in their history.

India hasn’t beaten anyone good.

What does ‘anyone good’ mean? How many ‘good’ teams did the 80s WI team beat? How many of the same did the ATG Aussie teams of the following decades beat? Anywhere but especially on home ground?

Compare other teams to those two ATG teams and you’d be hard pressed to find ‘good’ teams. I can argue that they all appeared average to mediocre in comparison.

‘Good’ is a nebulous term in this regard.

On topic this is clearly the ATG Asian cricket team. It has the players and the results to show for it.

 

[Mamoon]

Ok Great criteria. They need to be better than past or present asian sides. The Imran-led team was UNBEATEN in test series from 1982/83-1989. And of course playing against a GOAT side as opponents during that time - something kohli’s team cannot claim.

When Kohli’s team goes unbeaten for that long and includes ATG / GOAT opponents, then you can talk. Until then, you can stop beating your chest.

Firstly, Imran was captain when Pakistan lost in Australia in 1984.

Secondly, it is about winning matches and not avoiding defeats. Imran’s Pakistan did not win enough matches to be considered the GOAT Asian Test team.

He only led Pakistan to 14 Test wins. He is not worthy of being compared to Kohli who has already doubled that tally.

In fact, Miandad won the same number of Tests as Imran in spite of captaining for lesser games.

More importantly, Imran’s Pakistan lost a Test to Sri Lanka in Colombo 1986. Sri Lanka was by far the weakest Test team of the 80s. They were proper minnows and won only 2 Test matches in the entire decade.

Imagine what Kohli’s India would do to Imran’s Pakistan in Asian conditions if even Sri Lanka managed to beat them.

Kohli’s India is a far better side than any side put up by Pakistan. They are more professional, fitter and proper athletes, and their fast bowlers do not rely on tampering balls with bottle-caps.

 

[Ab Fan]

The third best team of 1980s was New Zealand and it is inferior to the current New Zealand team.

In a similar manner, the second best team of 1980s was Pakistan and it is inferior to the current Indian team. The current Indian team is inferior to the Windies of 80s though.

With multiple test series wins in Australia, West Indies, Sri Lanka and on verge of winning/drawing a test series in England vs a side that has ATG cricketers like Root and Anderson( no England batsman or bowler in last 50 years is ATG) and good players like Woakes, Pope, Buttler and Robinson, it is indeed an excellent achievement.

 

[Ab Fan]

Point to remember here :-

Root is at his peak and is a better batsman than anyone England has produced in last 50 years.

Anderson is also at his peak and is a better bowler than anyone England has produced in last 50 years.

This team reminds me of New Zealand team of 1980s which had Martin Crowe and Richard Hadlee but rest were just pedestrians in that team.

So, this England side is an excellent one and suggestions that it is worse is laughable because it is actually as good as the third best team of 1980s while England were roughly 4th or 5th best.

 

[Mamoon]

Overall, this Indian side can be considered inferior to the West Indies of the 80’s, but there is no doubt that they would have thrashed West Indies in India.

Something that Imran’s Pakistan could not achieve at home.

 

[cricketjoshila]

NZ thrashed India in both tests thereafter in WTC final too, NZ won series in England also , yes no doubt wining series in Australia by India is big achievement no two thoughts , though India is not paying like great side in England both side have poor batting side so match result depends on who performs worst.

Do you know how many tests NZ has won in India? Ever? They will be thrashed in India again in a couple of months.

How many tests or series wins for NZ outside SENA during the last test cycle?

Nz were in England for weeks before WTC, played 2 tests before the WTC. So they were more acclamatized. Ofcourse this was not planned, but the luck finally favoured the kiwis.

If WTC was played in Asia, India would have thrashed NZ, without having to spend 30 days in that country.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Mr.Robert from England will be nowhere to be found or will be cursing the English team when they tour Australia this summer.

Robert and James are very knowledgeable English fans, I respect their opinions..

But but then hear them say how NZ is the best team.

NZ winning that WTC was such a fluke it wasn't even funny, they were full accustomed to English conditions while Indians were Covid Isolating instead of getting any real match practice.. If it was played on an level playing field, India wins this 9 out of 10 times, it wouldn't even be close...Now watch NZ get whitewashed when they go to OZ next LOL

...

 

[TheSultan]

IK is listed as captain in the series decider which Pakistan lost,

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...lia-vs-pakistan-5th-test-63360/full-scorecard

IK is also listed as captain in the previous match,

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...lia-vs-pakistan-4th-test-63359/full-scorecard

If you don’t know the details and the context why do you bring up a particular series. He’s “listed” as captain.

Let me try and enlighten you. In 1983, imran suffered a serious shin injury. He was unable to bowl in the 1983 World Cup at all and then beyond. He didn’t start bowling again competitively until 1985. He wasn’t even supposed to be playing that series in 84 vs Aus. He was called as an SOS for the last 2 matches as a captain and specialist batsman. Zaheer Abbas captained the team in the first 3 matches. Officially Zaheer Abbas was captain. After that series imran again had to be sidelined and returned to the international team several months later.

So overall that was not an Imran-Led team

 

[TheSultan]

Overall, this Indian side can be considered inferior to the West Indies of the 80’s, but there is no doubt that they would have thrashed West Indies in India.

Something that Imran’s Pakistan could not achieve at home.

How can you have “no doubt about that”? I mean these are ridiculous ifs and buts. You can’t put your hopes on ifs and buts.

 

[TheSultan]

Firstly, Imran was captain when Pakistan lost in Australia in 1984.

Secondly, it is about winning matches and not avoiding defeats. Imran’s Pakistan did not win enough matches to be considered the GOAT Asian Test team.

He only led Pakistan to 14 Test wins. He is not worthy of being compared to Kohli who has already doubled that tally.

In fact, Miandad won the same number of Tests as Imran in spite of captaining for lesser games.

More importantly, Imran’s Pakistan lost a Test to Sri Lanka in Colombo 1986. Sri Lanka was by far the weakest Test team of the 80s. They were proper minnows and won only 2 Test matches in the entire decade.

Imagine what Kohli’s India would do to Imran’s Pakistan in Asian conditions if even Sri Lanka managed to beat them.

Kohli’s India is a far better side than any side put up by Pakistan. They are more professional, fitter and proper athletes, and their fast bowlers do not rely on tampering balls with bottle-caps.

I’ve already explained the 84 series - read it and then comment.

You guys seriously know so little about cricketing history. You’re not qualified to debate it. Why do you even attempt it?

In those days, results were not as forthcoming as they are now. Batsmen do not have the concentration span that they did in the 80s. Batsmen in the 80s did not capitulate in the 4th innings at the first sign of a crack in the pitch or a little bit of pressure. This is exactly why in the current era you have all these records being broken. Most wins for a Pakistani captain, most wins for an England captain, most wins for an Indian captain etc etc. Is somebody seriously going to tell me that schoolboy root is a better captain than Mike Gatting?

Yes West Indies got results everywhere because they absolutely pulverised every team home and away. They were the greatest side in history. But guess what? They couldn’t do it to Pakistan.

 

[Robert]

Overall, this Indian side can be considered inferior to the West Indies of the 80’s, but there is no doubt that they would have thrashed West Indies in India.

I very much doubt it. Gavaskar’s boys, who could bat superbly, were beaten 0-3. The Indian current batting would have completely ablated. Whereas Greenidge, Haynes, Richards, Lloyd etc, used to playing excellent pace in the Shell Shield would have stood up to Bumrah etc. ok.

I think Lloyd’s WI would win every match by an innings.

 

[Robert]

I’ve already explained the 84 series - read it and then comment.

You guys seriously know so little about cricketing history. You’re not qualified to debate it. Why do you even attempt it?

In those days, results were not as forthcoming as they are now. Batsmen do not have the concentration span that they did in the 80s. Batsmen in the 80s did not capitulate in the 4th innings at the first sign of a crack in the pitch or a little bit of pressure. This is exactly why in the current era you have all these records being broken. Most wins for a Pakistani captain, most wins for an England captain, most wins for an Indian captain etc etc. Is somebody seriously going to tell me that schoolboy root is a better captain than Mike Gatting?

Yes West Indies got results everywhere because they absolutely pulverised every team home and away. They were the greatest side in history. But guess what? They couldn’t do it to Pakistan.

It’s true. Lots of tests were drawn in those days because batters would dig in and bat all day, It was hard to get a win. In 1987 Pakistan had Imran, Wasim and Qadir yet could only beat Goochless England in one match. On the last day of the series, chasing an innings victory with 700 runs at their back, they took just one wicket as Gatting and Botham dropped anchor.

 

[Mamoon]

I’ve already explained the 84 series - read it and then comment.

You guys seriously know so little about cricketing history. You’re not qualified to debate it. Why do you even attempt it?

In those days, results were not as forthcoming as they are now. Batsmen do not have the concentration span that they did in the 80s. Batsmen in the 80s did not capitulate in the 4th innings at the first sign of a crack in the pitch or a little bit of pressure. This is exactly why in the current era you have all these records being broken. Most wins for a Pakistani captain, most wins for an England captain, most wins for an Indian captain etc etc. Is somebody seriously going to tell me that schoolboy root is a better captain than Mike Gatting?

Yes West Indies got results everywhere because they absolutely pulverised every team home and away. They were the greatest side in history. But guess what? They couldn’t do it to Pakistan.

Excuses, excuses. It is not about understanding cricketing history; it is about the fact that some people suffer from chronic nostalgia and cannot let go of the past.

Everything was better in the past time - batting, bowling, fielding, umpiring, coaching, match referring etc. etc., and the standards magically dropped for some reason.

We are told that modern batsmen are inferior because of flat pitches, short boundaries, big bats and favorable rules. However, when you apply the same logic to the bowlers, they get uncomfortable.

If the modern batsmen is inferior because of these XYZ rules, then the modern bowlers are superior because they are handicapped by the same rules.

If Miandad is a better batsman than Kohli because Kohli is benefiting from flat pitches, short boundaries, big bats and favorable rules, then Cummins is a better bowler than Imran Khan because Imran Khan benefited from bowling-friendly pitches, big boundaries, small bats and unfavorable rules.

These nostalgia merchants fail to see the irony and logical fallacy in their argument - when you point it out to them, they start making excuses and strawman arguments.

Furthermore, the reality is that a Test captain with 14 Test wins cannot be compared to a captain who would probably end up with 50+ Test wins as captain, no matter how many cross-era adjustments and arbitrary ho ha you do.

In addition, Imran lost a Test to the weakest team of the 80’s in Asian conditions, thus surrendering their claim as the GOAT Asian Test team tag.

You cannot lose a Test match in Asia to Sri Lanka in 1985 and then call yourself the GOAT Asian Test team.

As far as Gatting is concerned, well “schoolboy” Root is thrice the batsmen he ever was. He is way more talented and skillful, and has a much better, organized batting brain. So perhaps he is a better captain as well.

 

[Mirpur express]

An era of week test teams especially Australia & SA , OP will always highlight, oh its b & c teams if Pakistan beats them but if his Indian team wins ,regardless of opponents , it’s an ATG performance, no doubt about your cricket knowledge & English grammar but your bias & trolling is next level , I still can’t figure out you nationality…

 

[Buffet]

If you don’t know the details and the context why do you bring up a particular series. He’s “listed” as captain.

Let me try and enlighten you. In 1983, imran suffered a serious shin injury. He was unable to bowl in the 1983 World Cup at all and then beyond. He didn’t start bowling again competitively until 1985. He wasn’t even supposed to be playing that series in 84 vs Aus. He was called as an SOS for the last 2 matches as a captain and specialist batsman. Zaheer Abbas captained the team in the first 3 matches. Officially Zaheer Abbas was captain. After that series imran again had to be sidelined and returned to the international team several months later.

So overall that was not an Imran-Led team

Injury is part of the game. IK played the last 2 tests as captain and Pakistan lost the series.