As 2021 comes to an end, cricket as a sport saw some iconic moments across all formats this year. But, for Indian fans, Test cricket proved to be a format that they will cherish the most for years to come.
It is no exaggeration to define a resounding victory at the Gabba, which marked the start of a triumphant year of Test cricket for India. To follow this up, India registered another memorable victory, this time at the Holy Lords. Ending the year right, India also broke Fort Centurion with a 113-run win over South Africa.
The loss in the final of the ICC World Test Championship against New Zealand was the only aberration for India in a year of Test victory. If the Virat Kohli-led side has achieved stupendous success, then it is clear that some of the key players have also done well this year.
All-rounder Ashwin’s secret in 2021!
Ravichandran Ashwin was arguably one of the leading performers whose exploits have undoubtedly enabled India to scale new heights in Test cricket this year. The off-spinner was at his best during the home series against England and New Zealand, where he won two ‘Man of the Series’ awards.
But, Ashwin’s valor was not limited to the ball, his grit and determination were on full display at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where he saved the match for India despite batting with an injured back. His batting exploits were on display again in Chennai as he scored a scintillating century against England.
To sum up his impressive year, Ashwin, who missed four Tests against England, ends 2021 as the highest wicket-taker in the longest format. The Indian spinner has taken 54 wickets in 9 Test matches this year. His closest in the coveted list is rising Pakistan seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has taken 47 wickets in 9 Tests. The next three places are occupied by Hasan Ali, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson.
Rohit Sharma 2.0 took charge of India with the bat
If Ashwin carried the baton for India with the ball, it was Rohit Sharma who led the way for his team with the bat this year. In what proved to be a year of his revival in Tests, Rohit was responsible for providing India a solid start in Down Under. He was also the team’s highest run-scorer in both the home and overseas series against England.
The right-handed batsman played a match-winning knock of 161 runs during India’s 317-run win against England in Chennai. His 127 in the second innings at The Oval was also instrumental in India’s 157-run victory over England. Apart from the two tons, Rohit also scored four Test fifties in 2021. Overall, the Indian batting sensation has scored 906 runs in 11 Tests this year.
His Test exploits in 2021 are second only to England’s Joe Root, who leads the list of top run-scorers with 1,708 runs in 15 matches including six tons and four fifties. The next three batsmen in the list include Dimuth Karunaratne, Rishabh Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara.
After securing a historic win at Centurion by the end of 2021, Indian fans will be hoping that the Kohli brigade will start the new year with a win against South Africa in the second Test in Johannesburg, which is set to start from the third. January.