Former India cricketer turned famous commentator Aakash Chopra has named his top five Test bowlers of 2021. India speedster Jasprit Bumrah and spinner Axar Patel, who did well with the ball but failed to make it to the list. Meanwhile, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who claimed 52 scalps this year, is the highest wicket-taker in Tests so far as well. Aakash Chopra named Ashwin as one of the five best Test bowlers of 2021.

He said in a video shared on his YouTube channel: “Ravichandran Ashwin – he is there. He has picked up 52 wickets in eight matches, he didn’t get to play a single Test against England in England. He was good in the Sydney Test against Australia and the WTC final was also not that bad. He was absolutely sensational in India.”

ALSO READ: Fans react as the first Test between INDvNZ ended in a draw

He continued: “Jimmy Anderson’s name is there in this list. 32 wickets in 19 matches, he has played in Sri Lanka, India and at home. He was exceptional in the first Test against India at Chennai, took a five-wicket haul in Sri Lanka as well. Ollie Robinson – he has taken 28 wickets in five matches. His stature is growing. Some of the old issues came to the fore but he just fought through it and he has done very well.”

Robinson has picked up seven wickets in his debut Test against New Zealand at Lord’s as well. Along with him, Aakash Chopra picked Mohammed Siraj as the second Indian on his list as well.

READ HERE: Wasim Jaffer names batting-order for 2nd Test vs New Zealand

“I have put Mohammed Siraj’s name in this list. 28 wickets in nine matches, he gave a fantastic performance at Lord’s, good performances in Sydney and Brisbane. He has been continuously doing well. I like his attitude, he makes the ball talk off the surface. I am picking Shaheen Shah Afridi as the No.1 Test bowler for 2021. 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 17. He has been sensational, there was a time where he was taking a five-wicket haul in every match,” Aakash Chopra concluded.