Sports broadcaster Star Sports launched its Test staff of the 12 months on Tuesday throughout the Lunch break of the Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India however their announcement was met with backlash by cricket followers.

The taking part in XI had among the largest names in world cricket who had a stupendous 2023 with the bat and ball in Tests however one main participant was not included within the record.

Former India captain Virat Kohli’s identify was lacking from the middle-order which left his and Indian cricket followers in shock.

The staff that was introduced had three Indians in Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. Rohit the truth is, was named captain of the staff.

But Kohli, regardless of averaging almost 55 this 12 months in Tests, missed out. The 35-year-old has thus far amassed 595 runs in 11 innings at a mean of 54.09 that features 2 a whole bunch and a fifty.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan was additionally shocked at Kohli’s exclusion from the staff regardless of his sensible numbers in Tests this 12 months.

“Kohli has 55 Test average in 2023 & it’s shocking that he is missing in the test team of the year,” Pathan mentioned on Star Sports.

SA combat again after IND clinch 1st session

Kohli was in the midst of a vital knock within the ongoing first Test at Centurion after India misplaced three fast wickets within the first session on Day 1 after being put into bat.

The former India skipper added 68 runs for the fourth wicket with Shreyas Iyer to bail his staff out of troubled waters however could not go on to attain large and bought out for 38 to Kagiso Rabada proper after the lunch break.

Iyer was dismissed earlier than Kohli on 31 by Rabada, who struck twice within the second session after taking the wicket of Rohit Sharma (5) within the first half-hour of play.

India had reached 91 for 3 on the first break however had been decreased to 107 for five after the dual strikes by Rabada within the first half-hour of the second session.

Published on: Tuesday, December 26, 2023, 05:10 PM IST