IND vs SA: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Snubbed As Harsha Bhogle Picks Test Team Of The Year 2023

Indian renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle selected his Test team of the year after witnessing plenty of action in 2023. Harsha Bhogle included four cricketers from England, three from Australia, two from India, and two from New Zealand in his Test playing XI.

Australia entered the Boxing Day Test with five wins and four losses in the year, while England had secured four victories and suffered three defeats. India claimed victory in three Tests but faced defeat in two matches. New Zealand finished with four wins and two losses.

Where Did Rohit Sharma Get His Runs? – Harsha Bhogle

In a discussion with Cricbuzz, Harsha Bhogle picked Usman Khawaja and Zak Crawley as his preferred openers, highlighting their standout performances. Bhogle emphasized Khawaja’s exceptional form, having scored over 1000 runs at an average of 55.61. Bhogle acknowledged Rohit Sharma’s performances but leaned towards Zak Crawley.

“The first was the easiest to pick. There really was one standout opener in Test Cricket across 22 and 23. The only one to score more than 1000 runs, Usman Khawaja, who made 1,168 runs at the time of recording this at an average of 55.61, is just in awesome form on the ground,” Bhogle said.

“Where did Rohit Sharma get his runs? He got them in the West Indies. Not his fault that he was playing against easier opposition. He got his runs in the West Indies; he got his runs in India. I went with the fact that Zak Crawley was playing against very good bowling sides in those conditions almost throughout. And so Zak Crawley is my second opener,” he continued.

Harsha Bhogle picks his “Test Team of the Year 2023”. (Cricbuzz) pic.twitter.com/a7yksv4n14

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Usman Khawaja scored 1210 runs in 24 innings at an average of 52.60, including three centuries and six half-centuries. His notable performances included a stellar 195* against South Africa, 180 against India, and 141 against England. Zak Crawley made impactful contributions with 606 runs in 15 innings at an average of 43.28, featuring a crucial 189 in the Ashes Test in Manchester and ending the year with an aggressive 73 at The Oval.

Harsha Bhogles Picks Kane Williamson And Joe Root

Bhogle named New Zealand batter Kane Williamson and England batter Joe Root at No. 3 and No. 4 positions, respectively. He acknowledged the impressive batting performances of Kane Williamson and Joe Root for their respective nations in red-ball cricket this year.

Root scored 787 runs in 14 innings at an average of 65.58, including two centuries and five fifties. He scored 153 and 95 runs against New Zealand in a losing cause. Kane scored 695 runs at an average of 57.91, featuring centuries against England, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

Virat Kohli Fails To Make It Into Harsha Bhogle’s Playing XI

The Indian commentator mentioned Virat Kohli’s impressive performances in red-ball cricket. However, Bhogle picked Harry Brook over him for the No. 5 position in the team. He also excluded Travis Head, stating that Brook created a lot of impact for England.

India’s spin duo Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin secure the all-rounder spots in Bhogle’s 2023 Test team, with Jadeja notching up 33 wickets and Ashwin claiming 40. In a surprising choice for the wicketkeeper role, Bhogle selected Tom Blundell.

Bhogle included England pacer Stuart Broad, along with Australian bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the team. He omitted players such as Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon. Broad announced his retirement from cricket following the Ashes 2023 series.

Also read: “Long Time Since I Saw Pakistan Play…” – Harsha Bhogle Takes A Dig At Pakistan’s Bowling Performances In 1st Test