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Four Indians, Sachin Tendulkar, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ishant Sharma and Gautam Gambhir were included in the world team of the year 2008 chosen by Australian newspaper 'Herald Sun'. Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag narrowly missed out of the list.
 
Dhoni, was compared with retired Australian great Adam Gilchrist and was made deputy to skipper of the team South African Graeme Smith, while "impossible to drop" Tendulkar bats at number four in the world team picked according to their batting positions.
 
Opener Gautam Gambhir and young fast bowler Ishant Sharma also made it to the team following their stellar successes in 2008.
 
"Dhoni is the wicketkeeper, not necessarily because he is the best at that job, but because he scores plenty of important runs and has demonstrated great leadership qualities."
 
Tendulkar, who became Test cricket's most prolific run-getter and notched up his 41st century in 2008, was impossible to drop from any world team. "Tendulkar is simply non-negotiable in any team. His 41st century to lead India's remarkable chase after 387 against England last month was said by some to have been his finest moment -- enough said," it wrote.
 
Gambhir, who was named along with South African Smith at the top of order, had to compete for his place with his senior opening partner Virender Sehwag who had scored 1462 in 2008.
 
"Sehwag is the more eye-catching option, especially as he has a triple-century and has taken 15 wickets with his off-spin. But Gambhir has averaged 70.87 for his 1134 runs and there is something about him that suggests he is a fierce competitor. He's in."