Cricket Australia Announce Best Test XI Of 2021; Includes 4 Indians But Not Virat Kohli!

As 2021 ends, various people, organizations & cricketers have named best test XI, that is, the best eleven players in test cricket of 2021. Amidst this, Cricket Australia - Australia's Cricket Board, has also announced its best test XI of 2021. They have included 4 Indians in their XI, but surprisingly not Virat Kohli!

Cricket Australia has named leading run-scorer of 2021 among Indians - Rohit Sharma as the opener in the team. Along with Indian test vice-captain, Dimuth Karunaratne has been named the other opener. Karunaratne scored 902 runs in 7 matches, averaging 69.38, with 4 hundred & 3 fifties.

At #3, they have named super-sub Marnus Labuschagne. The Australian #3 has scored 526 runs in 5 matches with an average of 65.75, including 2 centuries & 4 fifties. Cricket Australia named English captain Joe Root at the number 4 position. Joe Root has amassed 1,708 runs this year in 15 matches, averaging 61!

At #5, Pakistan's Fawad Alam made his place with 571 runs in 9 matches with 3 fifties, averaging 57.10. The number 6 batter in Cricket Australia's test XI is Indian wicketkeeper, Rishabh Pant. Pant has played many important knocks this year including impeccable performances in Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. 

Amongst all-rounders, Australia have named Indian ace all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin at the #7 position. Apart from the 355 runs he scored in 15 innings, he picked up 54 wickets in test cricket and was a crucial part of India's test success in 2021. Following him is New Zealand WTC finals' fame New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson on #8.

Axar Patel who wreaked havoc on England in the home test series earlier this year In February-March is named at the #9 position in the best test XI of 2021. Then, two Pakistani pacers - Hasan Ali & Shaheen Afridi were named as the fast bowling options by Cricket Australia in their team. Hasan Ali registered 41 wickets in 8 matches this year while Shaheen Afridi took 47 wickets in 9 matches. 

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

It is surprising to see that one of the most successful test captains, Virat Kohli, wasn't given a place in the XI. Virat Kohli has many admirers outside India, and Australians are the primary supporters of 'King Kohli' and yet he wasn't given a chance in the team.