As 2022 came to an end recently, popular commentator Harsha Bhogle has come up with the best Test XI. Surprisingly, only one Indian player made the cut in Test XI. Harsha Bhogle’s Test XI is dominated by England players.
The commentator picked four England players, two players from Australia and South Africa and one player from India, West Indies and Pakistan respectively. Usman Khawaja and Kraigg Brathwaite have been chosen as the opening pair.
Joe Root who has been the most consistent Test batsman for England over the years earned his place in Harsha Bhogle’s Test XI. On the other hand, Pakistan’s best batsman Babar Azam has been listed in Test XI.
Joe Root and Babar Azam finish 2022 as the top two run-scorers in the Tests
Apart from Joe Root (1098 runs) and Babar Azam (1184 runs), England players namely Jonny Bairstow (1061) and Ben Stokes (870 runs) led the batting attack by example. These four players finished the calendar year on the top 10 leading run-scorers list.
Rishabh Pant who has been producing the much-needed spark with his Bazball approach earned his place as a wicketkeeper-batsman in Harsha Bhogle’s Test XI. Pant, who was the leading run-scorer for India in Test cricket, garnered 680 runs at an average of 61.81 including two centuries and four fifties.
On the other hand, Kagiso Rabada was the leading wicket-taker of 2022 with 47 wickets. Harsha Bhogle picked Kagiso Rabada in Test XI along with another paceman Marco Jansen.
The commentator picked only one spinner in his XI and he is none other than Nathan Lyon. Last but not least, he picked England’s bowling great, James Anderson in the Test team of 2022.
Harsha Bhogle names his Test XI of 2022
Usman Khawaja (Australia), Kraigg Brathwaite (West Indies), Joe Root (England), Babar Azam (Pakistan), Jonny Bairstow (England), Ben Stokes (England), Rishabh Pant (India) (wk), Marco Jansen (South Africa), Kagiso Rabada (South Africa), Nathan Lyon (Australia), James Anderson (England).
