Aakash Chopra picks his top five Test bowlers of 2021
Ravichandran Ashwin has been phenomenal for India in Test Cricket in 2021. He picked 52 wickets in eight matches at an average of 16.23. Ashwin picked a five-wicket haul thrice this year. Ashwin’s performance is one of the reasons behind India’s domination in home conditions.
Due to this performance, Ashwin has made it to former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra‘s list of top 5 test bowlers of 2021, along with Mohammed Siraj. They both are the only Indian bowlers on his list. Also, the list doesn’t contain the names of key performers like Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah.
“Ravichandran Ashwin – he is there. He has picked up 52 wickets in eight matches, he didn’t get to play a single Test against England in England. He was good in the Sydney Test against Australia and the WTC final was also not that bad. He was absolutely sensational in India.” Chopra mentioned this in a video he released on his YouTube channel.
England’s James Anderson, who is currently the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, also features in Chopra’s list. Anderson, who is currently playing the second Ashes Test, has picked 32 wickets at an average of 24.65.
“Jimmy Anderson’s name is there in this list. 32 wickets in 19 matches, he has played in Sri Lanka, India, and at home. He was exceptional in the first Test against India at Chennai, took a five-wicket haul in Sri Lanka as well.” Chopra said while mentioning Anderson’s name.
Who are the top three on Akash Chopra’s list?
Ollie Robinson features at number three position in Chopra’s list. Robinson has picked 33 wickets in seven Test matches at an average of 20.03. He made his Test debut on 2nd June against New Zealand and finished the match with seven wickets across his name.
However, after this match ended, his old racist tweets resurfaced, and he received a lot of criticism. ECB had no choice other than to drop him from the team. Robinson made a solid comeback against India and picked 21 wickets in four matches.
“Ollie Robinson – he has taken 28 wickets in five matches. His stature is growing. Some of the old issues came to the fore, but he just fought through it, and he has done very well.” Chopra explained the reason behind Robinson’s inclusion.
Mohammed Siraj, who has picked 28 wickets for India in 2021 at an average of 29.89, is second on this list. Siraj made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test against Australia last year. Since then, he has been a terrific bowler for India in the game’s longest format.
“I have put Mohammed Siraj’s name in this list. 28 wickets in nine matches, he gave a fantastic performance at Lord’s, good performances in Sydney and Brisbane. He has been continuously doing well. I like his attitude, he makes the ball talk off the surface.” Chopra made these points while discussing Siraj’s place in his list.
According to Chopra, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been the standout performer in Test cricket in 2021. He picked 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 17.06.
“I am picking Shaheen Shah Afridi as the No.1 Test bowler for 2021. 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 17. He has been sensational, there was a time where he was taking a five-wicket haul in every match.” Chopra mentioned.
