A historic year to look back for Team India in Test Cricket.
Team India, under the leadership of Virat Kohli, had a stupendous run in 2021. They steamrolled every opponent coming in their way of becoming the best Test team. Indian side achieved unparalleled success in the four Test series, even if Covid pandemic and injuries to key players put the team in trouble.
There is no need to mention that the Indian pace attack proved the prime force behind this unprecedented success, as they created many headlines in the media due to their blockbuster performances. Let's have a look at some staggering achievements of the Indian Team in 2021.
Valiant effort in Sydney
India were on the brink of a loss in Sydney in front of a huge target of 407 runs in the third Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21. However, a steady start from openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, extravagant strokeplay by Rishabh Pant and unwavering defence of Hanuma Vihari, Ravichandran Ashwin and Cheteshwar Pujara drew the Test match for India and kept India in the hunt for successive second series win down under.
Conquered The Gabba Fortress and the trophy
India achieved a draw in Sydney with daunting efforts, they were high on confidence. They played the last Test at The Gabba without their experienced pacers due to injury but dynamic performances of youngsters like Thangarasu Natarajan, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar put India in a commanding position. Also, opener Shubman Gill and wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant played the most important innings of their lives to chase a huge total of 329 runs in the fourth innings which resulted in a historic Test series win for India in Australia.
India knocked down England at home
India suffered an embarrassing defeat in the first Test of the home series against England due to a humongous double century by opponent skipper Joe Root, however, India hit back with three back-to-back wins due to phenomenal performances by Rohit Sharma, Ravi Ashwin and Axar Patel.
India suffered a huge defeat in World Test Championship Final against New Zealand in Southampton, even if two days were washed out due to rain. However, India geared up to play a five-match Test series in England.
India trounce England at the home of cricket
After the defeat in India, England players wanted to give it back to India at home, however, the champion side under the leadership of Virat Kohli put up one of their best performance of the year in the second Test match of the Pataudi Trophy at Lord’s to win it by 151 runs. The revival of two openers of India - Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul - put India in a dominating position in the Test, though fearsome bowling by Indian pacers crushed England batting in just 52 overs in the fourth innings on a meagre total of 120.
India overpowered hosts at Kennington Oval to take an unassailable lead in the series
After the loss in the Headingley Test, twin fifties by Shardul Thakur and a marvellous century by Rohit Sharma with terrific performances by Indian pacers bolstered the Indian team to take a lead of 2-1. India returned with empty hands from the Test series, as the last Test was postponed due to Covid outbreak in the Indian camp, however, India will play their remaining Test next year against England to conclude the series.
India thrashed New Zealand at home
After an agonizing loss at World Test Championship Final against New Zealand, India were waiting for their next encounter against the former to prove that they can beat the world champions. India bested Kiwis in a two-match Test series comfortably by 1-0 in which New Zealand managed to clinch a draw with only one wicket in hand.
Newcomer Shreyas Iyer and experienced players like Mayank Agarwal, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel played a vital role in the series win.
Read More: Ind vs NZ, 2nd Test, Day 4, Mumbai: India now top-ranked Test team after defeating NZ by 372 runs
India hammered Proteas at Centurion for the first time
In a recent Test match at Centurion, India beat Proteas in just four days after one day was washed out due to rain with the help of an astonishing century by vice-captain KL Rahul and frightening pace bowling performance by pacers, especially, Mohammed Shami, who bagged eight wickets in the Test.
India will look forward to defeating Proteas in the next two Tests to achieve their first-ever Test series win in South Africa.
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