Former Indian cricketer S. Badrinath has stirred up significant debate among fans with a unique and controversial ‘blind ranking’ of India’s all-time best Test team on his Instagram account. In this popular online format, Badrinath assigned rankings to eleven legendary players without knowing whose name would appear next, leading to some unexpected and highly contentious placements. His final list, which puts icons like MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev in surprisingly low positions, has generated a passionate conversation among followers and highlighted the difficulty of comparing players across different eras.
S. Badrinath’s surprising top-tier and controversial ranking of MS Dhoni
Badrinath’s blind ranking produced a list that, while honoring some legends at the top, also raised eyebrows with its surprising placements. The list began with the predictable greatness of Sachin Tendulkar at number 1, a position few would argue with for the all-time leading run-scorer. He was followed closely by Rahul Dravid at number 2, another pillar of India’s batting lineup. However, the rankings took a surprising turn from there. Legendary spinner Anil Kumble was ranked at number 3, placing him ahead of the iconic opener Sunil Gavaskar, who came in at number 4.
Badrinath’s blind ranking placed modern-day superstar Virat Kohli at number 5 and the destructive Virender Sehwag at number 6, creating a fascinating mix of eras and styles in the top half of the list. The most controversial and discussed placements were at the very bottom. India’s greatest all-rounder and 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil was ranked at number 10, while the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman and another World Cup-winning captain, Dhoni, was placed last at number 11, a decision that has sparked immense debate and disbelief among fans.
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The dynamics of blind ranking for India’s all-time Test XI
The nature of a ‘blind ranking’ format is to produce unexpected results, as the individual ranks each name as it appears without knowing the full lineup beforehand. This is precisely what makes Badrinath’s list so intriguing and controversial. The rankings of Zaheer Khan at number 7, Ravichandran Ashwin at number 8, and Jasprit Bumrah at number 9, while all highly respected bowlers, are placed in a way that fans might not have otherwise chosen.
Bumrah’s high rank of 9 is particularly notable for a modern player, highlighting his immediate impact on Test cricket. The list, therefore, is not a deliberate statement of Badrinath’s personal opinion of each player’s standing but rather a product of the format itself. This has led to a flood of reactions from fans, with many expressing shock and disagreement, particularly with the placement of Dhoni and Kapil at the bottom. However, the very point of such a post could be to engage the audience, and in that regard, Badrinath has succeeded brilliantly.
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