Pat Cummins, Kane Williamson Ignored As Aakash Chopra Picks Test Team Of The Year 2023

At the top of the order, Chopra chose Australia‘s left-hander Usman Khawaja as the opening batsman. Khawaja’s stellar record in 2023, amassing 1078 runs in 12 Tests with an impressive average of 53.9, including three centuries and five half-centuries, justified his inclusion. Partnering him is India’s dynamic captain, Rohit Sharma, who scored 540 runs in 7 matches at an average of 49.1, with two centuries and fifties each.

At the critical number 3 position, Aakash Chopra opted for England‘s Joe Root, who amassed 787 runs in 8 matches, boasting an average of 65.7, accompanied by two centuries and five half-centuries. The batting order continued with the prolific Virat Kohli at number 4, contributing 557 runs in 7 matches with two centuries and a fifty at an average of 55.7.

Chopra’s middle order featured the promising Englishman Harry Brook at number 5, who notched up an impressive 701 runs in 8 Tests with a century and six half-centuries at an average of 53.9. Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim secured the number 6 spot, amassing 355 runs in 4 matches, including one century and two half-centuries, at an average of 50.7.

The all-round prowess of India’s Ravindra Jadeja earned him a spot at number 7 for Aakash Chopra, with 281 runs and a remarkable 33 wickets in 7 matches, featuring two five-wicket hauls. Following him is his compatriot Ravichandran Ashwin at number 8, who proved to be a potent force with the ball, taking 41 wickets in 7 Tests, including four five-wicket hauls, at an exceptional bowling average of 17.

In the pace bowling department, Chopra named Mitchell Starc as the lead pacer, who claimed 29 wickets in 8 Tests, including a crucial five-wicket haul. Joining him is New Zealand’s Tim Southee, who took 24 wickets in 7 matches at a bowling average of 27. The final piece of the bowling puzzle is England’s evergreen Stuart Broad, who scalped an impressive 38 wickets in 8 matches, including one five-wicket haul.

Aakash Chopra’s Test XI of 2023: Usman Khawaja, Rohit Sharma, Joe Root, Virat Kohli, Harry Brook, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, Tim Southee, and Stuart Broad.

Aakash Chopra Puts Kusal Mendis, Taijul Islam, Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head In the Bench

The exclusion of Pat Cummins from his 2023 Test team might have definitely shocked many but his decision to put Australia’s WTC final-winning players Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head made plenty of news as well. The duo along with their captain Cummins defeated India in the WTC final back in June and also shushed off the Indian crowd by beating Rohit Sharma’s side in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Final on November 19th.

After concluding with his playing XI, Aakash Chopra revealed the players who made it to the bench as backups. First, it was Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis who scored 586 runs in 5 Tests, including 2 hundreds and fifties each with an average of 58.6.

Then he picked Bangladesh’s pace bowler Taijul Islam who took 26 wickets in 4 matches including 2 five-wicket hauls. Josh Hazlewood was included for his 21 wickets in 6 matches and last but not the least was Travis Head who scored 888 runs in 11 matches with 1 hundred and 5 fifties with a decent average of 46.7.