Aakash Chopra picks his Test XI of 2021, Kane Williamson to lead

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has picked his Test team of 2021, including four players from India, two each from England, New Zealand and Pakistan, and one from Sri Lanka. Chopra said the only parameters for those who made it into his XI was their performance in the year 2021.

He chose Sri Lankan Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne to open alongside Indian opener Rohit Sharma, with England and New Zealand skippers Joe Root and Kane Williamson slotted in at No. 3 and 4, respectively.

“The first name coming to my mind is Rohit Sharma. It was a huge year for him, it was the year in which he fell in love with the longest format. He played amazing knocks, whether it was the century in Chennai and the consistent performances in England,” Chopra stated of Rohit.

“My second opener is Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne. He has also made runs which also includes a double century. He was playing well against West Indies also. He might not be too pleasing on the eye but scores runs,” he said while picking his other opener.

“There was no contest at No.3. Joe Root is part of this team. He is the best Test batter of 2021, miles above the rest. He is just in a different league altogether. He gave amazing performances, whether it was the double century in India or Sri Lanka,” the former cricketer hailed Root, the top-scorer in the format in the year by a fair margin.

Picking New Zealand’s Williamson next, Chopra said: “At No.4, I have got Williamson. He scored a double century against Pakistan and he won his team the final. He played a very important knock in the final as well. Kane Williamson is also the captain of this team.”

Rishabh Pant to keep, James Anderson to lead the pace attack

Chopra lauded Pakistan middle-order batter, Fawad Alam, for his girt and resilience, while naming him at No. 5 in his team. “My team has Fawad Alam. It is a story of persistence, that he will keep on playing whether you select him or not. He has made runs, the noticeable performances being 109 against South Africa, 140 against Zimbabwe and 124 against West Indies.”

He picked Indian wicketkeeper, Rishabh Pant, as the gloveman in his XI. “The keeper is Rishabh Pant. I was thinking about Jos Buttler as well but no one was close to him. The sort of performances Rishabh Pant has given – 101 against England, 89 at Gabba and a ninety in Sydney as well. He has been very very good.”

He picked a seam-bowling all-rounder in Kyle Jamieson, while a spin all-rounder in Ravichandran Ashwin, who is also the leading wicket-taker in Tests in 2021. “After that, I have picked Jamieson. It seems like he was born to play Test cricket. He rolls his arm over and takes five wickets. He has taken wickets everywhere, this guy is absolutely outstanding and he bats as well.”

“After that, I am picking two Indians. Ravichandran Ashwin – he has taken a lot of wickets. He was brilliant in India against England. He made a century against England as well. He is the no.1 spinner in Test cricket, there is no doubt about it,” he added.

Chopra stated that he had South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj in contention, but India’s Axar Patel made the cut above him. “I thought about Keshav Maharaj but I picked Axar Patel. He was unplayable and unbelievable in his debut series against England. Of course, he gets less chances but he picks up wickets whenever he is given an opportunity. If you have to choose a debutant of the year, he will be that guy.”

Picking his frontline pacer as veteran James Anderson and youngster Shaheen Shah Afridi, he said: “I have picked two fast bowlers apart from Jamieson. Jimmy Anderson – he took 32 wickets this year. He did well in India, took a five-wicket haul in Sri Lanka and did well against India again at home.”

“Last but not least, I have got Shaheen Afridi. His performances this year have been very good. He was also taking five-wicket hauls like Axar. It will also give a left-armer, he is tall, pitches the ball up and makes it swing.”

Aakash Chopra’s 2021 Test XI: Rohit Sharma, Dimuth Karunaratne, Joe Root, Kane Williamson (c), Fawad Alam, Rishabh Pant, Kyle Jamieson, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, James Anderson, Shaheen Afridi