Continuing with the ongoing trend on social media, popular cricketer-turned-broadcaster, Aakash Chopra, named the best current best Test lineup.
The only variation of his lineup this time around was that he included four extra players to complete the squad involving the XI.
Chopra named his squad on his YouTube channel, based on their performances in red-ball cricket in the last couple of years.
At the opening slot, Chopra had a tossup between Australia’s David Warner, Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne, and India’s Rohit Sharma, but went ahead with New Zealand opener Tom Latham.
Chopra paired Latham up with Mayank Agarwal who has had a dream start to his Test career with a couple of double-tons and some vital knocks abroad.
At number three, yet again, Chopra pondered about slotting in Kane Williamson but gave the nod to Australia’s premier batsman Steve Smith, who announced his comeback to international cricket in style.
Following Smith, is India’s marquee batsman Virat Kohli, who is also appointed as the captain of Chopra’s side. Chopra cited India’s reign at the summit of Test rankings, forcing his decision to appoint Kohli as the skipper.
The middle-order of Chopra’s current best Test XI comprises Englishmen Joe Root and Ben Stokes who have had successful seasons of-late.
For the wicket-keeping role, Chopra picked Quinton de Kock, who bats at number seven. The three-pronged pace-attack consisted of Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, and Neil Wagner.
Aussie off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the lone tweaker in the side. While, Babar Azam, Marnus Labuschagne, BJ Watling and Stuart Broad were included as reserves.
Here is Aakash Chopra best current Test squad:
Tom Latham, Mayank Agarwal, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli (c), Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Quinton de Kock (wk), Pat Cummins, Neil Wagner, Jasprit Bumrah, Nathan Lyon
Reserves: Babar Azam, Marnus Labuschagne, BJ Watling and Stuart Broad
