Axar Patel, Virat Kohli ignored as Aakash Chopra announces his 'Best XI of the T20 World Cup 2024'

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has revealed his ideal XI for the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). Aakash Chopra omitted Virat Kohli and Axar Patel despite their impressive performances in India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 final.

India secured their second T20 World Cup title by beating South Africa by seven runs in the summit clash in Barbados on Saturday, June 29. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the tournament's leading run-scorer with 281 runs, while Fazalhaq Farooqi and Arshdeep Singh (17 wickets each) were the joint-highest wicket-takers.

Rohit Sharma'a Captaincy Was Top Class - Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra picked Rohit Sharma as his opener and captain, praising his exceptional batting and leadership skills throughout the tournament. Chopra stated that Rohit is the best in the entire world at the moment.

"I am starting with Rohit Sharma as an opener and captain. If you leave aside the final, his batting was incredible, and his captaincy was top-class. There is no better captain than him in the entire world at the moment," Chopra said.

The former Indian opener selected Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz as Rohit Sharma's opening partner instead of Virat Kohli. Chopra justified Kohli's exclusion by noting that Kohli's runs came from only one match.

"I have got Rahmanullah Gurbaz to open with him. Virat Kohli couldn't get a place because he scored runs in only one match. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is also my wicketkeeper. This team reached the semi-finals because of his partnerships with Ibrahim Zadran," Chopra added.

Rohit Sharma was the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, with 257 runs at an impressive strike rate of 156.70. Sharma smashed three fifties in the World Cup. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, scored 75 runs before the final match. Kohli scored 76 runs off 59 balls against South Africa in the final.

He Is My Personal Favorite - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra selected the West Indies' Nicholas Pooran over India's Rishabh Pant for the No. 3 batting position. Chopra cited Pooran's ability to score aggressively despite the West Indies not reaching the semi-finals. He opted for Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4, highlighting his crucial runs in the semi-final.

The cricketer-turned-commentator picked South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen over David Miller for the No. 5 spot. Chopra praised Klaasen's fifty in the final and suggested his impact could have led South Africa to victory if he had played 10 deliveries more.

"I was slightly split at No. 5. Should we keep Miller or Klaasen? I am going with Klaasen. He is my personal favorite. He scored a fifty in the final as well and if he had played 10 deliveries more, South Africa would have 100% won their first World Cup," Chopra explained.

Heinrich Klaasen scored a quickfire 52 runs off 27 deliveries in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. He was dismissed when South Africa required 26 runs from 24 balls. His dismissal proved crucial as the remaining batsmen couldn't guide their team to victory.

The 46-year-old further picked Hardik Pandya as the all-rounder in his team. Chopra made a surprising pick by naming Bangladesh's Rishad Hossain in the XI. Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Fazalhaq Farooqi will form the bowling attack in Aakash Chopra's best XI of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Aakash Chopra's best XI of the 2024 T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Nicholas Pooran, Suryakumar Yadav, Heinrich Klaasen, Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, Rishad Hossain, Jasprit Bumrah, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Arshdeep Singh

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