Brad Hogg picks Babar Azam over Virat Kohli in his current best Test XI, explains why

Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg on Saturday picked his best playing XI in the Test format based on current performances. And the Aussie snubbed Indian cricketer Virat Kohli from his lineup before explaining the reason behind his choice.

Hogg picked India's Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma as his openers, who recently scored a double century each during the team's home campaign as part of the World Test Championship. And then picked the Australian pair of Marbus Labuschagne and Steve Smith as his No.3 and No.4. Labuschagne finished 2019 as the leading run-getter in Tests while Smith made a phenomenal return to Test cricket with a record performance in Ashes in England last summer.

Hogg completed the batting lineup with Babar Azam, Ajinkya Rahane and Quinton De Kock with the South African as his captain.

His bowling lineup comprised three pacers - Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami, Neil Wagner - and spinner Nathan Lyon.

A notable miss from Hogg's lineup was Kohli and explained the snub by mentioning the Indian captain's unimpressive run tally in his last 15 Tests.

“Everyone will ask why is Virat Kohli not in this team?” he said. “But if you look at his last 15 Test innings, only four times he has gone over 31 [runs]. That’s why Virat Kohli is not my Test team this year”, the 49-year-old explained.

'We improved in playing fast bowlers because..': Kohli credits this person for change in approach

Can proudly say cricket now has its own fitness idol: Tamim Iqbal to Virat Kohli

Earn it, don't demand it: Virat Kohli shares workout video amid lockdown

Watch: Virat Kohli drops another insane workout video, shows extreme weightlifting skills

Tendulkar vs Kohli: Gautam Gambhir makes his choice between the two, provides reason

'May God protect everyone': Virat Kohli puts out message for people affected with Cyclone Amphan

Virat Kohli shares unseen image with 'Good Man' Kane Williamson

Hogg, meanwhile, also explained the reason behind his Babar Azam's inclusion in his lineup.

“The reason why I have included Babar Azam in the lineup is that he scored a hundred against Australia in Brisbane when Pakistan toured Australia last year,” said Hogg. “It’s very hard for overseas teams to perform on that particular wicket but he showed that he could and that is why he is one of the best players going around,” he added in a video on his official YouTube channel.

Brad Hogg’s current Test XI: Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Babar Azam, Ajinkya Rahane, Quinton De Kock (C/WK), Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami, Neil Wagner, Nathon Lyon.