Aakash Chopra picks Test Team of the Year 2024; snubs Rishabh Pant, Gus Atkinson

Former Team India cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra has named his Test team of 2024, featuring 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 secured spots in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final, following their strong performances over the past year. However, Aakash Chopra included just one player each from these two teams in his Test team 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 selected Yashasvi Jaiswal as the first opener in his Test team of 2024. Chopra partnered Jaiswal with England's Ben Duckett at the top of the order, citing the lack of other consistent openers.

"I have kept Yashasvi Jaiswal at No. 1. He has been absolutely stellar as an opener. He has played 29 innings, which is a lot of innings, and scored 1478 runs at an average of 54. He has struck three centuries and nine half-centuries," he said (1:30).

"Then I had a problem as no other opener scored runs. So I had to put Ben Duckett's name in the team. He has played 32 innings and scored 1149 runs at an average of 37. He has struck two centuries and six half-centuries," he added.

Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Harry Brook Form the Middle Order

The cricketer-turned-commentator picked Joe Root to bat at No. 3, followed by Kane Williamson and Harry Brook in the batting order. Chopra praised Brook's impressive performances, highlighting his exceptional performances last year.

"After that, another player from his (Duckett's) team - Joe Root. At No. 4, I have kept Kane Williamson. He has played only 18 innings and scored 1013 runs at an average of 59, which is outstanding," Chopra stated.

"At No. 5, it's a dangerous player. His name is Harry Brook. He has played like Harry Potter. He has scored 1100 runs, with four centuries and three half-centuries, in 20 innings and he too has an average of 55," he explained.

Aakash Chopra Snubs Rishabh Pant, Picks Mohammad Rizwan as Wicketkeeper

Aakash Chopra included Kamindu Mendis as the sole Sri Lankan player, citing his strong performances. For the wicketkeeper-batter position, Chopra chose Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan, noting that there weren’t many standout performers.

"After that, you have to keep Kamindu Mendis. We are making a team of purists because Kamindu Mendis has forced his way into the side. At No. 7, you have to keep a keeper. Once again there weren't a lot of performers. We have kept Mohammad Rizwan," he elaborated.

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 Africa's Kagiso Rabada over England's Gus Atkinson. Chopra emphasized the need for four bowlers, with Jadeja offering all-round capabilities.

"If you have kept batters till No. 7, you need four proper bowlers now. However, an all-rounder comes there too. His name is Ravindra Jadeja. After that, I am left with places for three bowlers in which I have kept Pat Cummins. His numbers are not that good but I am keeping him because I am making him the captain of this team."

"After Cummins, you have Jasprit Bumrah, there is 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's difficult to keep Gus Atkinson out. He has picked up 52 wickets in 21 innings but Kagiso Rabada has also taken 34 wickets in 16 innings. For his average of 19, let's keep Kagiso Rabada," he elaborated.

Aakash Chopra's Test team of 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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