Former India player turned commentator Aakash Chopra has named his ultimate World Test XI based on the performances in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Team India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and speedster Jasprit Bumrah failed to be in his chosen side. India, who registered a 1-0 win in the recent two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, are placed fifth in the WTC points table while Australia are at the top of the points table, followed by South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “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.”

“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. 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. 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 further added.

“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. 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 again shared.

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However, Aakash Chopra also picked the now-retired Ben Stokes and Ravindra Jadeja as his two all-rounders of the team as well.

“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. 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.

“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. 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 said again.

“Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj aren’t there because we are looking at the numbers in the last two years. The pitches were extremely flat on the England tour. Although the fast bowlers did a good job, the numbers are not adding up. Bumrah has missed a lot of cricket as well. 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,” Aakash Chopra concluded.

Aakash Chopra’s ultimate World Test XI:

Travis Head, KL Rahul, Joe Root, Shubman Gill, Harry Brook, Rishabh Pant, Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Starc, Josh Tongue, Shamar Joseph