Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra named his top five Test bowlers of the year 2021. He picked two Indian bowlers in his list, veteran spinner R Ashwin, who recently crossed the 400-wicket landmark in Test cricket, and pacer Mohammed Siraj.
Chopra lauded Ashwin for his splendid bowling performances at home, as he was awarded Player of the Series against England and New Zealand. Unfortunately, the off-spinner couldn't get an opportunity to play on England tour earlier this year.
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"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 said on his YouTube channel.
The 44-year-old was impressed with Siraj for his performances overseas at Lord's, Sydney, and Brisbane. "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," he said.
Apart from Ashwin and Siraj, Chopra picked up English pacers, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson, along with Pakistan's fast bowler Shaheen Afridi.
"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.
"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," he said.
Shaheen, who bagged 47 wickets in 9 matches, was picked at the number 1 spot in Chopra's list of five best bowlers in 2021. "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," he added.
(With Aakash Chopra's YouTube Channel Inputs)
