Former India player turned commentator Aakash Chopra has picked his Test team of 2024. India and England, with three players each, have also found their places. Based on their performances over the last two seasons, South Africa and Australia have qualified for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final as well. However, only one player from both sides made it to Chopra’s team of the year as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “I have kept Yashasvi Jaiswal at No. 1. He has been absolutely stellar as an opener. He has played 29 innings, which is a lot of innings, and scored 1478 runs at an average of 54. He has struck three centuries and nine half-centuries. Then I had a problem as no other opener scored runs. So I had to put Ben Duckett’s name in the team. He has played 32 innings and scored 1149 runs at an average of 37. He has struck two centuries and six half-centuries.”

However, England’s Joe Root was his choice to bat at No. 3. Chopra also picked Kane Williamson as the only New Zealand player in this
team. Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra also picked Kamindu Mendis as the only Sri Lankan player in his team of the year.

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“After that, another player from his (Duckett’s) team – Joe Root. He played 31 innings and scored 1556 runs at an average of 55. He also struck six centuries. He is an incredible player. At No. 4, I have kept Kane Williamson. He has played only 18 innings and scored 1013 runs at an average of 59, which is outstanding. He has struck four centuries and four half-centuries. At No. 5, it’s a dangerous player. His name is Harry Brook. He has played like Harry Potter. He has scored 1100 runs, with four centuries and three half-centuries, in 20 innings and he too has an average of 55,” he shared.

“After that, you have to keep Kamindu Mendis. We are making a team of purists because Kamindu Mendis has forced his way into the side. He has scored 1049 runs in 16 innings at an average of 74, with five centuries. That’s absolutely phenomenal,” he said. “At No. 7, you have to keep a keeper. Once again there weren’t a lot of performers. We have kept Mohammad Rizwan. He scored 539 runs in 13 innings at an average of 44, with one century and two half-centuries. They aren’t great numbers but aren’t bad either,” he again added.

In the same video, Aakash Chopra also picked India’s Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah as his first frontline bowlers as well.

“If you have kept batters till No. 7, you need four proper bowlers now. However, an all-rounder comes there too. His name is Ravindra Jadeja. He has picked up 48 wickets in 21 innings at an average of 24 with three five-wicket hauls,” he said. “After that, I am left with places for three bowlers in which I have kept Pat Cummins. His numbers are not that good but I am keeping him because I am making him the captain of this team. He has picked up 37 wickets in 18 innings at an average of 24.”

“After Cummins, you have Jasprit Bumrah, there is no doubt about that. You will have to keep him in the team. So he is there with 71 wickets at an average of 14. It’s difficult to keep Gus Atkinson out. He has picked up 52 wickets in 21 innings but Kagiso Rabada has also taken 34 wickets in 16 innings. For his average of 19, let’s keep Kagiso Rabada,” he concluded.

Aakash Chopra’s Test Team of 2024:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Harry Brook, Kamindu Mendis, Mohammad Rizwan, Ravindra Jadeja, Pat Cummins (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Kagiso Rabada