Former Indian team cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra has named his 2024 Test squad, which includes three players each from India and England. Notably, Aakash Chopra did not include prominent Indian players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant in his Test team of the year.
South Africa and Australia have secured places in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final, following their strong performances over the past year. However, Aakash Chopra included only one player each from these two teams in his Test squad of 2024. Pat Cummins was selected as the captain of Chopra’s team.
Aakash Chopra names Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ben Duckett as openers in his XI
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra picked Yashasvi Jaiswal as the first opener in his Test team in 2024. Chopra partnered Jaiswal and England’s Ben Duckett at the top of the order, citing a lack of other consistent openers.
“I kept Yashasvi Jaiswal at No. 1. He was absolutely brilliant as an opener. He played 29 innings, which is a lot of innings, and scored 1,478 runs at an average of 54. He hit three centuries and nine half-centuries,” he said (1 :30).
“Then I had a problem because no other opener had scored runs. So I had to put Ben Duckett’s name in the team. He played 32 innings and scored 1149 runs at an average of 37. He hit two centuries and six half-centuries,” he added.
Joe Root, Kane Williamson and Harry Brook make up the Middle Order
The cricketer-turned-commentator picked Joe Root to bat at number three, followed by Kane Williamson and Harry Brook in the batting order. Chopra praised Brook’s impressive performances, noting his exceptional performances last year.
“After that, another player from his (Duckett’s) team – Joe Root. I kept Kane Williamson at number 4. He played just 18 innings and scored 1013 runs at an average of 59, which is outstanding,” Chopra said.
“At number 5, that’s a dangerous player. His name is Harry Brook. He played like Harry Potter. He scored 1,100 runs, with four centuries and three half-centuries, in 20 innings and he also averages 55,” he explained. .
Aakash Chopra dismisses Rishabh Pant, picks Mohammad Rizwan as wicket keeper
Aakash Chopra included Kamindu Mendis as the only player from Sri Lanka, citing his good performances. For the goalkeeper position, Chopra chose Pakistani Mohammad Rizwan, noting that there were not many outstanding performers.
“After that, you have to keep Kamindu Mendis. We are making a team of purists because Kamindu Mendis has made his way into the side. At No. 7, you have to keep the wicketkeeper. Again, not much performers kept Mohammad Rizwan,” he clarified.
I am keeping him because I am making him the captain of this team – Aakash Chopra
In the same video, Aakash Chopra named Ravindra Jadeja as the first all-rounder. Jasprit Bumrah is the third Indian player in the lineup. Chopra chose South African Kagiso Rabada over England’s Gus Atkinson. Chopra emphasized the need for four bowlers and Jadeja offers all-round ability.
“If you’ve kept the batsmen up to number 7, now you need four proper bowlers. However, that’s where the all-rounder comes in. His name is Ravindra Jadeja. After that I’ve got places left for the three bowlers I’ve kept Pat Cummins is not that good but I I’m keeping him because I’m making him the captain of this team.”
“After Cummins, you have Jasprit Bumrah, no doubt about that. You will have to keep him in the team. So he is there with 71 wickets at an average of 14. It is difficult to keep Gus Atkinson out of him. He has picked up 52 wickets in 21 innings , but Kagiso Rabada also took 34 wickets in 16 innings for his average of 19, let’s keep Kagiso Rabada,” he clarified.
Aakash Chopra Test Team 2024: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Harry Brook, Kamindu Mendis, Mohammad Rizwan, Ravindra Jadeja, Pat Cummins (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Kagiso Rabada
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