Aakash Chopra picks World XI to take on New Zealand in home Tests, Virat Kohli excluded

The New Zealand cricket team has been receiving praises from all over the world after their emphatic show in the ICC World Test Championship Final. The Kane Williamson-led side defeated a formidable Indian side by eight wickets in the summit clash and lifted the prestigious title at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. With this triumph, the Kiwis also became the first-ever world champions of Test cricket.

The Blackcaps have indeed been a force to reckon with in red-ball cricket lately and their position in the ICC Test ranking narrates the entire spot. New Zealand are holding the numero uno position and aren’t likely to go down in the table anytime soon. While the Kiwis have done well overseas lately, they have been nothing but invincible at home.

Highlighting New Zealand’s dominance at home in recent times, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra came up with a World Test XI which can take on the Kiwis in their own backyard. India’s Rohit Sharma and Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne were picked as openers in Chopra’s hypothetical team. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne was slotted at number three.

Aakash Chopra picks Joe Root ahead of Virat Kohli

Interestingly, Chopra went with England skipper Joe Root at number four instead of Indian captain Virat Kohli. “At No.4, I have kept Joe Root. Yes, Kohli and Babar Azam, you are not there. He has scored 1660 runs, of course, they play more matches, which includes double centuries in India, Sri Lanka,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Australian star Steve Smith is next in the line-up owing to his spectacular record in the longest format. The all-rounder’s spot was occupied by Ben Stokes. “At No.6, I have got Ben Stokes. No Jason Holder or Ravindra Jadeja. You will need Ben Stokes’ bowling for sure. He has scored 1334 runs, almost the same as Steve Smith, at an average of 46 and he has taken wickets as well,” asserted Chopra.

Rishabh Pant also made into this team ahead of veteran wicket-keepers like Jos Buttler and Quinton de Kock. The highest wicket-taker of the inaugural WTC cycle, Ravichandran Ashwin is the third Indian and lone spinner on the list. With New Zealand tracks assisting the fast bowlers, the remaining three slots were occupied by pacers Pat Cummins, Stuart Broad, and Josh Hazlewood. South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada is another notable absentee in this team.

Aakash Chopra’s World Test XI to take on New Zealand at home: Rohit Sharma, Dimuth Karunaratne, Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Root (c), Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Pat Cummins, Stuart Broad, Josh Hazlewood