Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has picked the top six knocks by Indian batsman in the World Test Championship.
There were some brilliant performances from Indian batsmen during the tournament and the renowned commentator has ranked them accordingly.
Chopra picked Mayank Agarwal’s knock of 215 runs against South Africa at the number six position. The Indian opener had scored his maiden double century against the Proteas at Vizag.
“At No.6, I have Mayank Agarwal. It was a 215-run knock against South Africa in Vizag. This was his first match at home. He played in a dominating fashion and having got the good conditions, he wanted to make it count,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The former Indian cricketer selected Virat Kohli’s best Test score of 254, which he played against South Africa in the home conditions as his number five knock.
“At No.5, I have got Virat Kohli. He struck 254* vs South Africa at Pune. It was actually a green pitch and was a useful one for the South African bowlers. Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, I think Nortje also played that game and Kohli had to play carefully at the start as if the match was in Durban,” the former India opener said.
Subsequently, Chopra picked Shubman Gill’s knock of 91 runs in the Gabba Test match against Australia as the number four knock. Gill had played a key role in India’s historic win.
“At No.4, I have picked Shubman Gill’s 91-run knock in his third Test against Australia at Gabba. It is difficult to play against Australia at Gabba. He played very well and was unfortunate to miss out on a century. It set up the game and allowed India to win,” Chopra further added.
Rishabh Pant’s blistering knock of 89 runs in the memorable Gabba Test is Chopra’s number three pick. Pant had led India to four wickets victory after scoring a fine knock.
“At No.3, I am picking Rishabh Pant. It was an unbeaten 89-run knock vs Australia, once again at Gabba. Last innings of the Test match and you are chasing 328 runs and he doesn’t think about a draw. You not only won the match but created history,” he said.
Chopra selected Ajinkya Rahane’s knock of 112 at the MCG as his number two pick. India was skittled out for 36 runs in the Adelaide Test match and then Rahane led from the front in the second Test against Australia.
“At No.2, I have got Ajinkya Rahane. His 112-run captain’s knock is close to my heart. You reached Melbourne after being all out for 36 and lost Kohli and Shami as well. The captain has to lead from the front, do as you say. It is one of the best knocks Rahane has played in his career.”
The commentator picked Rohit Sharma’s magnum opus knock of 161 against England as his best knock of the tournament for the Indian batsman.
“At No.1, Rohit Sharma. The innings I have picked is 161 vs England at Chennai. You had lost the first Test match and the surface was crumbling on the first day itself. That was a pure master class on how to neutralize and dominate spin bowling,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
