Former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra has decided not to include the Indian skipper, Virat Kohli in his World Test XI, which can take on New Zealand in their backyard. Only three Indian cricketers, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Rishabh Pant have been included in Aakash Chopra’s World Test XI. New Zealand has recently registered an 8-wicket win over India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
Aakash Chopra has picked England skipper Joe Root ahead of Virat Kohli to bat at no. 4 and as the leader of his World Test playing XI.
In the latest video on his Youtube channel, Aakash Chopra said, “At No 4, I have kept Joe Root. Yes, Kohli and Babar Azam, you are not there. He has scored 1660 runs, of course, they play more matches, which includes double centuries in India, Sri Lanka.”
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Aakash Chopra picked India’s Rohit Sharma and Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne as openers in his hypothetical team. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne was slotted at number three. Steve Smith will bat at No 5 owing to his spectacular record in Test cricket. For the all-rounder’s position, Chopra picked Ben Stokes instead of World No 1 all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
Talking about his XI, Aakash Chopra said, “At No.6, I have got Ben Stokes. No Jason Holder or Ravindra Jadeja. You will need Ben Stokes’ bowling for sure. He has scored 1334 runs, almost the same as Steve Smith, at an average of 46 and he has taken wickets as well.”
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Aakash Chopra also included Rishabh Pant into the XI ahead of Quinton de Kock and WTC winner BJ Watling. Ravichandran Ashwin is the third Indian and lone spinner in the team. With New Zealand tracks assisting the fast bowlers, pacers Pat Cummins, Stuart Broad, and Josh Hazlewood occupied the remaining three slots. Interestingly, James Anderson and Kagiso Rabada also failed to make the cut.
Aakash Chopra’s World Test XI: Rohit Sharma, Dimuth Karunaratne, Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Root (c), Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Pat Cummins, Stuart Broad, Josh Hazlewood
