Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has picked his ultimate World Test XI after the two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka. Chopra has picked his side based on the performances in the ongoing World Test Championship.
Chopra picked Travis Head and KL Rahul as the two openers in the team. Rahul and Head have scored 931 and 914 runs, respectively, in the ongoing WTC cycle.
“The first name that comes in my list is Travis Head. He seemed to be an unlikely player, as he used to bat down the order. He has scored 914 runs in 10 matches. He has struck three centuries and two half-centuries, and has an average of 48.10. I am unable to keep Yashasvi Jaiswal’s name because there has been a slight dip in form in the last little while,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“I am unable to keep Aiden Markram’s name as he hasn’t played much cricket. Head’s partner will be an Indian, and he is KL Rahul. In the current WTC cycle, he has scored 931 runs in 11 matches. He has struck four half-centuries and three centuries, and has an average of 49.00,” he added.
Chopra picked Joe Root and Shubman Gill to bat at number three and four respectively.
“Joe Root’s name is there at No. 3. You will have to keep him because he has scored 1,202 runs in 15 matches. He has scored the most runs. He has struck five centuries and has an average of 46.23,” the former India opener observed.
“From the England captain, I will go to the Indian captain. He is also going through a purple patch, the Sri Lanka matches notwithstanding. He has scored 1,024 runs in 10 matches. He has an average of 68.26, and he has also struck five centuries,” he added.
The renowned commentator picked Harry Brook and Rishabh Pant to bat number five and six, respectively.
“At No. 5, the English white-ball captain, Harry Brook. He has scored 1,196 runs in 15 matches. He has struck two centuries and eight half-centuries, and has a strike rate of 82.25,” Chopra stated.
“At No. 6, wicketkeeper-batter, runaway match-winner, welcome another Indian with a drumroll – Rishabh Pant. He has scored 696 runs in eight matches. He has struck five half-centuries and two centuries, and has an average of 49.71. He runs at a strike rate of 77.50,” he added.
Chopra backed former England skipper Ben Stokes at the number seven position. The former Delhi cricketer picked Ravindra Jadeja as the other all-rounder in the team.
“Ben Stokes is the next all-rounder. He has scored 545 runs in 11 matches. Of course, he has retired now. He has also taken 39 wickets. You will keep Ben Stokes because you need batting at No. 7 and bowling as well. He is that kind of a player who brings a little balance,” the analyst said.
“At No. 8, you will find Sir Ravindra Jadeja. He has taken 33 wickets and has scored 790 runs. He has an average of 60.76 and has struck six half-centuries and two centuries,” he added.
The reputed commentator picked Mitchell Starc and Josh Tongue as the two pacers.
“Mitchell Starc comes at No. 9. He has taken 58 wickets in 10 matches. He won the Ashes single-handedly. He has taken a 10-wicket haul just now. Mitchell Starc’s name being here was mandatory,” Chopra observed.
“Then we go to Josh Tongue. Pat Cummins’ name isn’t there. He has not played a lot of cricket. Josh Tongue has taken 58 wickets in 11 matches. He has three five-wicket hauls and has a strike rate of just 36,” he added.
The former KKR batter picked Shamar Joseph as the third specialist seamer in the team.
“Last but not least comes a West Indian. His name is Shamar Joseph. He has taken 35 wickets in seven matches. Then you will have to say his performance has been good. He has one five-wicket haul, a strike rate of 35, and an average of 22.12,” he added.
Aakash Chopra World Test XI: KL Rahul, Travis Head, Joe Root, Shubman Gill, Harry Brook, Rishabh Pant, Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Starc, Josh Tongue, Shamar Joseph.
