Aakash Chopra picks current best XI to have risen from U19 cricket, excludes Indian duo of Jadeja and Pant

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra picked the best World XI of cricketers whom he feels have emerged from the Under 19 setup. Chopra picked Pakistan batting talisman Babar Azam and said that there was a lot of potential in Azam when the world saw him in the Under 19 stage.

After Azam, Chopra picked Indian skipper Virat Kohli and said that he has witnessed Virat Kohli in his younger days in the Ranji Trophy. Chopra also admitted that when he first saw Kohli, he did not expect the current 33-year-old to perform so well in the international arena.

“Babar Azam, you saw him playing drives in the Under-19 World Cup, he was looking good. He comes from a cricketing family and it was the first time we got to see his potential, although you don’t know how much that potential will be realized.

After him, Virat Kohli. That’s a personal story because when he was selected for India under-19, he was already a part of the Ranji Trophy team and I have seen him closely. The qualities were there, it seemed the boy will do well but I will be honest, I didn’t feel he will do this well,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra picks Steve Smith and Kane Williamson in his XI

Aakash Chopra then picked modern-day greats, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson. Chopra stated that Smith has become unstoppable, and Williamson has been extremely consistent as well.

“Steve Smith, if you see his photo as a kid, you will say a leg-spinner had come who could bat a little but he will become Steve unstoppable Smith. Kane consistent Williamson – it was the same World Cup where Virat Kohli was there against him. In fact, Kohli dismissed Williamson,” said Chopra.

Chopra then went on to name Sri Lankan Dinesh Chandimal, England skipper Eoin Morgan and West Indian Shimron Hetmyer in the list.

“After that, Dinesh Chandimal. I will keep him in the team as a wicket-keeper. Eoin Morgan, World Cup-winning captain. He used to play for Ireland at that time, now he is England’s captain. Shimron Hetmyer – we had seen his ability to hit sixes in under-19 cricket,” added Chopra.

Chopra then stated that Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan is one of his favourites, and added that Chris Woakes has also made an impressive journey from the Under19 level to the international level.

“Mehidy Hasan Miraz – one of my favorite players, his performance has been very good. Off-spin, batting – he is brilliant. Then Chris Woakes, he also made the journey from the under-19 World Cup to the England side,” said Chopra.

Chopra then picked the pace duo of Shaheen Afridi and Kagiso Rabada in his side and concluded by labelling both these cricketers as ‘big names’.

“Then Shaheen Afridi and Kagiso Rabada. These are two other big names whom you see and say – Well done yaar, these boys have done very well,” concluded Chopra.

Aakash Chopra’s XI: Babar Azam, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, Dinesh Chandimal, Eoin Morgan, Shimron Hetmyer, Mehidy Hasan, Chris Woakes, Shaheen Afridi, Kagiso Rabada