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‘Rohit Sharma One Of My Openers Of 2023 Because…,’ Aakash Chopra Justifies Test XI Of 2023

image-lqth1iapRohit Sharma at Centurion in December 2023 (AP)

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked Indian captain Rohit Sharma as one of the opening batsmen of his Test XI of the year 2023.

Sharma recently endured twin failures at Centurion against South Africa, returning with scores of just 5 and 0 to end his year on a disappointing note. Regardless, the legendary opener tallied 545 runs throughout the past 12-month period from just 13 innings at an average of 41.92.

Aakash Chopra justifies Rohit Sharma’s selection

On December 31, Aakash Chopra shared his best Test XI of the year 2023 on his social media accounts. The former cricketer picked four Indian players in his XI, including batting legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as well as all-round mavericks Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Upon appointing Sharma as one of his openers alongside Australian veteran Usman Khawaja, Chopra justified his decision by saying that the current Indian captain scored his runs even against Australian on tough turning Test surfaces throughout the year. He said:

“When everyone struggles 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.”

Aakash Chopra further named seasoned Bangladeshi campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim as his wicketkeeper, and Mitchell Starc, Tim Southee and retired Stuart Broad as his three pacemen in the XI. England’s ‘BazBall’ radicals Joe Root and Harry Brook constitute his middle-order, alongside Virat Kohli, Rahim and all-rounder Jadeja.

Aakash Chopra 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.

Rohit Sharma will now turn up for his side at Cape Town for the series-deciding second Test match against hosts South Africa. The much-awaited contest will be played between January 3 and January 7.