Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli feature in ESPN's 2017 Test XI

01/04/2018

With the culmination of an exciting 2017, ESPN have come out with their Test XI which includes Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara at the helm of affairs. After a string of consistent performances, the duo find themselves in a list alongside the likes of David Warner and Steve Smith.

After a strong domestic showing in 2017 which has seen India take on England, Australia and Sri Lanka at home, Indian batsmen Kohli and Pujara are rewarded with a spot in the ESPN Test team XI after impressing with consistent performances throughout 2017.

Kohli, second in the ICC Test Batsmen rankings has emerged as a driving force in world cricket, with an average of 75.64, he is a terror for bowlers when he’s on song. Kohli made history when he scored back to back double centuries versus the Sri Lankans in December as he surpassed the great Brian Lara for most double centuries scored in the Test format. With five centuries, 1 half-century and seven-man of the match awards, Kohli certainly deserves to be a part of the star-studded Test XI.

Cheteshwar Pujara has cemented his position in the Indian team, batting at number three. He managed to score two centuries and one half century in the recently concluded series versus Sri Lanka in which India triumphed 1-0. With an average of 67.05 over the period of 2017, Pujara raked up 1140 runs throughout the year. He has been preparing for the upcoming series versus the South Africans which will be the first major test this newly shaped India side will face with the first Test taking place in Cape Town on Friday.

The list also features the likes of South African opener Dean Elgar, Australian David Warner who have been consistent at the top of the batting order. Steven Smith AKA captain fantastic, the top-ranked Test batsman in ICC rankings, has been amazing in 2017 amassing 1305 runs with an average of 76.76. His 239 versus England in the third Test during the Ashes was his highest score for the year which also saw him lead his side to victory in the historic tournament.

To round-up the lower middle order, ESPN went ahead with two Bangladesh players in the form of Shakib Al Hassan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Amongst the bowlers, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon, England pacer James Anderson, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, and swing-specialist Neil Wagner from New Zealand are included to round up the eleven players.

Notable mentions :

Joe Root(England), Kane Wiliamson (New Zealand), Hashim Amla(South Africa), Ravindra Jadeja(India), Mitchell Starc(Australia), Josh Hazlewood (Australia).

Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli feature in ESPN's 2017 Test XI

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