Aakash Chopra picks his Test XI of 2021; 4 Indian players included
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Aakash Chopra
The year 2021 is about to end in which the cricket fans witnessed some great encounters in the red-ball format. Meanwhile, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has named the best Test XI of 2021 in his recent YouTube video.
Starting with the two openers, Chopra named India’s Rohit Sharma and Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne. The duo has amassed a lot of runs at the top for their respective nations in the ongoing year.
“The first name coming to my mind is Rohit Sharma. It was a huge year for him, it was the year in which he fell in love with the longest format. My second opener is Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne. He has also made runs which also includes a double century,” Chopra stated.
The cricketer-turned-commentator opted for English skipper Joe Root, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and Pakistan’s Fawad Alam at number three, four, and five respectively.
“There was no contest at No.3. Joe Root is part of this team. He is the best Test batter of 2021, miles above the rest. At No.4, I have got Williamson. He scored a double century against Pakistan and he won his team the final. Kane Williamson is also the captain of this team. My team has Fawad Alam. It is a story of persistence, that he will keep on playing whether you select him or not,” he said while naming the middle-order batters.
Aakash Chopra picks Rishabh Pant for wicket-keeping role
India’s Rishabh Pant has done exceptionally well across conditions for his country. The youngster’s improved wicket-keeping skills, as well as match-winning performances with the bat, reflect enough upon Pant’s rise in the longer format.
“The keeper is Rishabh Pant. I was thinking about Jos Buttler as well but no one was close to him. The sort of performances Rishabh Pant has given – 101 against England, 89 at Gabba and a ninety in Sydney as well. He has been very very good,” Chopra praised the southpaw.
The 44-year-old went with Kyle Jamieson as the sole fast-bowling all-rounder, who played a vital role in Kiwi’s triumph at the ICC WTC Final. On the other hand, India’s new spin-twin in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel also made it to Chopra’s Test XI.
“After that, I have picked Jamieson. It seems like he was born to play Test cricket. This guy is absolutely outstanding and he bats as well. Following this, I am picking two Indians. Ravichandran Ashwin – he has taken a lot of wickets. He is the no.1 spinner in Test cricket, there is no doubt about it.
“I thought about Keshav Maharaj but I picked Axar Patel. He was unplayable and unbelievable in his debut series against England. If you have to choose a debutant of the year, he will be that guy,” he added.
Aakash Chopra concluded the video after picking two speedsters – James Anderson and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Both of them add a variety to the bowling line-up owing to their tremendous bowling techniques.
“I have picked two fast bowlers apart from Jamieson. Jimmy Anderson – he took 32 wickets this year. Last but not least, I have got Shaheen Afridi. His performances this year have been very good. It will also give a left-armer, he is tall, pitches the ball up and makes it swing,” the Agra-born signed off.
Aakash Chopra’s Test XI of 2021: Rohit Sharma, Dimuth Karunaratne, Joe Root, Kane Williamson (C), Fawad Alam, Rishabh Pant (WK), Kyle Jamieson, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, James Anderson, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Also Read | Rohit Sharma sheds light on Ravichandran Ashwin’s future in white-ball cricket
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