Cricket News

Aakash Chopra gets trolled for including Rohit Sharma in his Test team of 2023

As the curtains close on another cricketing year, the annual tradition of analysts and experts selecting their ‘Teams of the Year’ heats up. Among them, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has unveiled his Test XI for 2023, a team that sparks conversation both due to its inclusions and certain notable omissions. Let’s dissect Chopra’s choices and analyze the factors that shaped his vision for the ultimate Test XI of the year.

Chopra’s batting unit begins with the seasoned and elegant Usman Khawaja. The Australian southpaw enjoyed a stellar year and his resilience and adaptability across diverse conditions, from the Ashes to subcontinental pitches, stood out. Partnering him is the Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma who didn’t play too many Tests this year but did a reasonable job.

At No.3, the ever-reliable Joe Root stands tall. Despite England’s inconsistent year, Root remained a pillar of consistency. At No.4, the resurgent Virat Kohli makes a much-awaited return to the XI. His 861 runs in 2023, sprinkled with two hundreds, mark a welcome rediscovery of form and confidence. Completing the middle order is the young Englishman, Harry Brook. The 23-year-old burst onto the scene with his flamboyant stroke-making, playing several impact knocks along the way. Behind the stumps, Chopra opted for the Bangladeshi veteran, Mushfiqur Rahim. His solidity alongside his impeccable glovework, makes him a valuable all-rounder in this XI. Mushfiqur’s experience and calm presence in the lower order adds further balance to the lineup.

The Indian spin twins, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, occupy the crucial all-rounder slots. Jadeja’s all-round contributions showcase his ever-growing batting prowess and impeccable bowling variations. Ashwin, with trademark guile, remained a potent weapon on turning tracks. Their presence strengthens the team’s spin attack and provides batting depth. The pace attack features a lethal combination of experience and youth. Mitchell Starc, Tim Southee and Stuart Broad claim the remaining three positions. Starc’s pace, Southee’s control and Broad’s decorated year make the trio a fitting choice for this XI.

“When others struggle on tough, bad pitches…”

While Aakash Chopra’s Test XI for 2023 garnered praise for its strong selections and recognition of individual performances, Rohit Sharma’s inclusion became a focal point of criticism. Some fans questioned whether Rohit’s recent struggles in challenging conditions, particularly in the WTC final and Centurion Test, justified his place in the esteemed XI.

Chopra’s reasoning for Rohit‘s inclusion, highlighting his ability to score runs when others falter on difficult pitches, further fueled the debate. “When others struggle on tough, bad pitches, Rohit Sharma scores runs. He scored runs against Australia on bad pitches; yes, spin conditions. He is one of my openers in Tests in 2023,” he said.

Critics pointed to Rohit’s underwhelming performances in high-pressure situations, suggesting inconsistency rather than the desired resilience on demanding tracks.