MELBOURNE: Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been chosen as the captain of Sydney Morning Herald newspaper's Test team of the year which also features India opener Gautam Gambhir.
Apart from Dhoni and Gambhir, no other Indian features in the team which is picked entirely on the basis of performances in the year gone by and has specialists in all positions.
Talismanic wicket-keeper batsman, Dhoni, who led India to series victories over Australia and England, will also guard the stumps. Gambhir, who scored 1134 runs at an average of 70.88 from eight Tests this year, will have South African captain Graeme
Smith as his opening partner.
The squad also features England skipper Kevin Pietersen, and new found Sri Lankan spin sensation Ajantha Mendis among others. Interestingly, Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds have been named 12th man of the side.
Test team of the year: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain and wicket-keeper, India), Graeme Smith (South Africa), Gautam ambhir (India), Hashim Amla (South Africa), Kevin Pietersen (England), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies).
