Aakash Chopra Picks His Test XI Of 2021, 2 Players From Pakistan

Commentator-broadcaster and former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked his best test XI of this year (2021) in which he has left out Indian captain Virat Kohli.

Aakash has selected New Zealand's WTC-winning captain Kane Williamson as the captain of the team. He has named 4 players from India, 2 players each from New Zealand & England, 2 players from Pakistan and surprisingly one player from Sri Lanka. 

Aakash Chopra has named Rohit Sharma & Dimuth Karunaratne as openers - both of them have scored the most runs this year while opening for their team. The Indian test vice-captain has registered 906 runs to his name in 11 matches while the Sri Lankan skipper has scored 902 runs in 7 matches. It is noteworthy that Dimuth's average (69.38) has been better than Rohit's (47.68) in 2021. 

In the middle order, Chopra has named English captain Joe Root & Kiwi captain Kane Williamson at #3 & #4. Joe Root has been in an emphatic form in 2021 and has scored 1,544 runs in tests averaging 64.33. Kane Williamson on the other hand has only 395 runs to his name but he has secured a spot in this XI as he captained his team into a WTC final victory. 

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22 - England vs Australia Schedule and Squads

Up next, Pakistan's Fawad Alam is at #5. Alam has scored 571 runs in 9 matches this year, with 3 centuries to his name. Aakash has picked India's Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper in his side. Pant has scored 706 runs in 11 matches this year, along with 32 dismissals (26 catches & 6 stumpings). 
Coming to the bowlers and all-rounders, Aakash Chopra has named Kyle Jamieson, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, James Anderson & Shaheen Afridi. It is also notable that Aakash hasn't given a spot to Pakistan's Hasan Ali, who has more wickets than Axar Patel & James Anderson this year.

Aakash Chopra's Test XI Of 2021:

• Rohit Sharma
• Dimuth Karunaratne
• Joe Root 
• Kane Williamson (c)
• Fawad Alam
• Rishabh Pant (wk)
• Kyle Jamieson
• Ravichandran Ashwin
• Axar Patel
• James Anderson
• Shaheen Afridi