“Aakash Chopra’s Best XI of Asia Cup 2023: Kohli and Pandya Omitted”
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has unveiled his ideal XI from the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023, and it notably excludes Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill at the Top
Chopra opted for Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as his opening pair in this hypothetical XI. He praised Rohit’s form and captaincy and lauded Gill’s exceptional talent, naming him as the standout choice among various contenders for the role.
Kusal Mendis Preferred Over Kohli
At the crucial No. 3 spot, Chopra opted for Kusal Mendis over Virat Kohli, emphasizing Mendis’s impressive run-scoring performance during the tournament. He acknowledged the tough choice but couldn’t ignore Mendis’s 275 runs in the competition.
KL Rahul, Mohammad Rizwan, and Iftikhar Ahmed Follow
Chopra slotted KL Rahul at No. 4, commending his century and consistent run-scoring. At No. 5, Mohammad Rizwan earned a place for his consistent batting display in the Asia Cup, and he was also assigned wicketkeeping duties. The No. 6 position went to Iftikhar Ahmed, edging out Hardik Pandya based on his overall performance.
Dunith Wellalage as the Spin-Bowling All-Rounder
Dunith Wellalage secured the No. 7 position as the spin-bowling all-rounder. Chopra explained that he couldn’t find a better candidate and excluded players like Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shadab Khan, and Shakib Al Hasan for lower batting positions.
Specialist Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Kuldeep Yadav, Matheesha Pathirana, and Mohammed Siraj
The specialist bowlers in Chopra’s XI included Shaheen Shah Afridi and Kuldeep Yadav at No. 8 and 9, respectively. He praised Afridi’s impactful performance against India and Kuldeep Yadav’s Player of the Tournament award.
Matheesha Pathirana occupied the No. 10 spot due to his leading wicket-taker status in the tournament, except for the India game. Mohammed Siraj made it to the team at No. 11 following his remarkable performance in the final.
Aakash Chopra’s Best XI of Asia Cup 2023:
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Shubman Gill
- Kusal Mendis
- KL Rahul
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Dunith Wellalage
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Mohammed Siraj
This selection offers a unique perspective on the standout performers of the Asia Cup, with notable exclusions making it an intriguing lineup.
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By- Sahiba Suri