Rishabh Pant Included in ICC Test Team of the Year 2018, Virat Kohli Named Captain
Jan 22, 2019 at 11:44 AM
The India National Cricket Team captain, Virat Kohli will lead the ICC Test Team of the Year 2018. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant is included in the XI as the designated wicketkeeper-batsman. Alongside them, the fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah is named on the teamsheet as well. Among the other players, the ICC has named three players from New Zealand; and one each from Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Windies.
ICC Test Team of the Year 2018 announced
Off the three New Zealand players, their captain Kane Williamson, middle-order batsman, Henry Nicholls and opener Tom Latham have been included. The only Sri Lankan on the list is their opening batsman, Dimuth Karunaratne. The XI, however, has five batsmen, one wicketkeeper, one all-rounder and four bowlers. As both India and New Zealand dominate the batting department; there is a lot of variety in the bowling department.
Windies Test captain, Jason Holder, is there as the all-rounder in the team. Meanwhile, number one Test bowler, Kagiso Rabada will lead the bowling attack. His partners in crime are India’s pace bowling sensation, Jasprit Bumrah; and Pakistan’s newest fast-bowling love, Mohammad Abbas. Nathan of Australia happens to be the only off-spinner in the team.
The Indians dominate Test Team of the Year 2018
The India captain, Virat Kohli, had a terrific 2018 with the bat. Apart from churning tons of runs at home, Virat had defied odds and scored centuries in South Africa, England and Australia. In Centurion, he slammed a brilliant 153. On the England tour, where he had fared poorly in 2014, Virat scored 593 runs across five Tests; scoring two centuries. Moreover, on his third tour to Australia, the right-hander smashed 123 in Perth.
Rishabh Pant, who made his Test debut in the last year itself, made it to the list. In ten Tests played since his debut, Pant has two centuries and two 90 plus totals. In only his second Test at the Kia Oval, the left-handed batsman scored his maiden century; hitting 114 off 146 balls. In the following series against the Windies at home, he hit 92 runs in both the innings in two Tests.
Now, coming to Jasprit Bumrah, he has had a dream run. After making his debut in South Africa, Bumrah went onto play nine Tests picking 48 wickets.
Here is the ICC Test Team of the Year 2018 –
Tom Latham, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli (c), Henry Nicholls, Rishabh Pant, Jason Holder, Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Lyon, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Abbas.
Congratulations to the ICC Test Team of the Year 2018!
🇳🇿 @Tomlatham2
🇱🇰 @IamDimuth
🇳🇿 Kane Williamson
🇮🇳 @imVkohli (c)
🇳🇿 @HenryNicholls27
🇮🇳 @RishabPant777
🏝 @Jaseholder98
🇿🇦 @KagisoRabada25
🇦🇺 @NathLyon421
🇮🇳 @Jaspritbumrah93
🇵🇰 @Mohmmadabbas111➡️ https://t.co/ju3tzAxwc8 pic.twitter.com/0H28spZUmm
— ICC (@ICC) January 22, 2019