2021 has been a crazy year for Test cricket with numerous entertaining games across the world. From India’s sensational victory at the Gabba to West Indies’ historic fourth innings chase against Bangladesh, the year was full of memorable moments in red-ball cricket. 

India were one of the best performing teams in the longest format over the year with an away series victory in Australia and is also on the brink of clinching a series win in England (5th test to be played next year). 

With India dominating Test cricket over the year, it comes as no surprise that two Indians feature in Aakash Chopra’s list of top 5 Test batters of the year. However, skipper Virat Kohli failed to make the cut. 

In a video on his official Youtube channel, Chopra picked Pakistan’s Fawad Alam as first pick. The ex-Indian opener lavished praise on him saying, “He has a very interesting story. He had almost left cricket, he was absent for so many years but his persistence has paid off brilliantly. He has grabbed every opportunity with both hands.” 

Next on the former Indian cricketer’s mind was Sri Lankan cricketer Lahiru Thirimanne. “He has scored 659 runs at an average of 50. It is very important to note who you have played if you want to know how important those runs are. He has scored against South Africa in South Africa, England in England and West Indies in West Indies,” he said. 

The first Indian to make Chopra’s list was Risabh Pant, who played an integral role in the series victory on Australian soil. Chopra said, “Pant has played 11 Tests, scored 706 runs with an average of 41. He has been brilliant as a wicketkeeper; it’s almost unbelievable that he is the fastest visiting wicketkeeper to 500 runs in Tests in Australia. So, he has been extraordinary.”

“The value of his runs is absolutely outstanding, both in Sydney and Brisbane. The century against England in Ahmedabad was also great, considering it came on a relatively bad pitch,” he added. 

Next on his list was opener Rohit Sharma, who was India’s best performer with the bat in both the home and away series against England. “Rohit has been absolutely sensational. 11 Matches, 906 runs and an average of 47.6. He played two Tests in Australia, then England at home on considerably bad pitches. His century in Chennai remains one of the best,” said Chopra. 

He added, “He scored against England in England everywhere. He has been exceptional. This year can be considered as a “watershed” moment for Rohit Sharma as a Test batter.”

Lastly, England captain Joe Root was Chopra’s last pick. The former Indian opener called him the ‘best Test batsman of 2021’. “A double-century in Chennai, another double in Sri Lanka, then back-to-back centuries against India in England. He has been a player par excellence, let’s be honest. Root is on a different level altogether. He has to be the best Test batter of 2021,” Chopra concluded. 

Aakash Chopra top 5 Test batters of 2021- Joe Root, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Lahiru Thirimanne, and Fawad Alam.