The recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England was a thrilling five-match series that ended in a balanced 2-2 draw, marked by stellar individual performances and nail-biting contests. Reflecting on this gripping series, former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra curated a combined XI featuring the best performers from both sides. His selection sheds light not only on the top talents who excelled but also on surprising exclusions like Washington Sundar, who contributed notably but missed out in the final lineup.
Stellar performers commanding the spotlight
At the forefront of Chopra’s combined XI is the Indian batting sensation Shubman Gill, who was the highest run-scorer of the series with an astonishing 754 runs from ten innings, including four centuries. His innings were a masterclass in consistency and resilience, making him an indispensable pick in the middle order. Alongside him, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal earned a spot for his impressive consistency, boasting two centuries and two half-centuries. KL Rahul complements the top order, rewarded for amassing over 500 runs with two hundreds and two half-centuries himself.
On the English side, the batting backbone is anchored by Joe Root at No. 3, recognized for being England’s best and most reliable run-scorer in the series. Harry Brook was also selected for his knack of rescuing the England innings in tough situations, affirming his growing reputation. The wicketkeeper slot is filled by India’s Rishabh Pant, admired for his fearless approach even when nursing a broken foot, exemplifying his commitment and game-changing ability.
Among the all-rounders, the balance is maintained with England’s Ben Stokes and India’s Ravindra Jadeja. Chopra acknowledged the consistency Jadeja displayed with the bat, despite a relatively quiet series with the ball, choosing him over the promising Sundar. The pace battery includes India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, the latter being the highest wicket-taker of the series with 23 wickets, reflecting his relentless bowling stamina and match-winning spells. England’s Josh Tongue completes the trio of seamers, selected for his wicket-taking capabilities despite occasional waywardness.
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Aakash Chopra’s notable omissions and tactical decisions in the best XI
The absence of Sundar and Prasidh Krishna from Chopra’s combined XI raises eyebrows, given their impactful performances during the series. Sundar, who impressed with both bat and ball, including a century and crucial lower-order runs, was edged out by Jadeja’s batting consistency and perhaps team balance considerations. Similarly, Prasidh Krishna, who showed promise with the ball, missed out likely due to the competition for pace bowling slots, with the likes of Bumrah, Siraj, and Tongue being preferred for their match-winning exploits.
Chopra’s team selection illustrates a strategic prioritization of form, consistency, and match impact over potential. His emphasis on players who not only scored runs but did so when it mattered most, and bowlers who consistently took wickets, reflects a calculated approach to building a formidable XI from two competitive teams.
Aakash Chopra’s best XI of the ENG vs IND 2025 series
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Joe Root, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Tongue
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