During the WTC 2019-2021 cycle, cricketers from the nine best teams in Test Cricket across the world enthralled the fans with top-notch performances. It began with the Ashes series between England and Australia. Eventually, India and New Zealand emerged as the two finalists, securing 520 and 420 points respectively.
India started their campaign with a 2-0 win against West Indies. They ensured seven consecutive wins before New Zealand put a break on their winning run early in 2020. Even after retaining the number one spot for most of the time, the Men in Blue couldn’t book their place in the final until they won their final Test against England and thereby winning the series 3-1.
In this article, we look at the top three run-scorers from both India and New Zealand during the World Test Championship.
Ajinkya Rahane
Over the last few years, Ajinkya Rahane has often been criticised for his lack of consistency. However, it doesn’t take away the fact that he has been at the core of India’s batting unit for all this while. With 1095 runs in 17 matches at an average of 43.80, Ajinkya Rahane is the highest run-scorer for India during the World Test Championship. During this period, the Indian cricketer notched three centuries and all of them resulted in wins.
His 112 against Australia in the Boxing-day Test is regarded as one of his best knocks in Test Cricket as it saw a turnaround in the series after India had lost the first Test at Adelaide. He might have lost his place in white-ball cricket, but Rahane truly is a match-winner for India in the longest format.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma’s second innings in Test cricket is as pleasant as it could get. He began his World Test Championship campaign against South Africa in 2019. What followed was a barrage of runs against the Springboks and Bangladesh during the home season of 2019-20. He amassed 556 runs in five Tests during that season at an astonishing average of 92.66.
Rohit scored consistently throughout the World Test Championship cycle and is currently the second leading run-getter for India in the tournament. In all, he played 11 Tests, scoring 1030 runs at an average of 64.30, including 4 centuries and 2 half-centuries.
Virat Kohli
The Indian skipper, over the last couple of years, has been enduring a lean patch with the bat. He hasn’t managed to hit a single century for over a year now. However, despite that, Virat Kohli still manages to be India’s third-highest run-scorer during World Test Championship Cycle.
In 14 games, he has scored 877 runs at an average of 43.85, including 2 centuries and 5 half-centuries. Virat’s most important contribution came when he scored his highest Test score 254* in Pune against South Africa in 2019-20 in a winning cause.
Top three run-scorers from New Zealand during WTC
Kane Williamson
The New Zealand skipper is at the top of the ladder as far as New Zealand’s highest run-scorers are concerned. Williamson was involved in a lot of big partnerships during WTC. He played 12 matches during World Test Championship and scored 990 runs at an outstanding average of 55. He scored four centuries and two half-centuries during this period.
His 251-run knock in the Hamilton Test in 2020 against West Indies was certainly one of the best knocks in the WTC. His knock propelled his team to post a mammoth 519-run total. New Zealand won that game by an innings and 134 runs.
Tom Latham
At number two is Tom Latham. The southpaw is hailed as one of the most consistent batsmen for the Kiwis in Test Cricket and he showed that during the World Test Championship cycle. He played 15 games and scored 899 runs at an average of 39.08, including two centuries and five half-centuries.
Ross Taylor
Ross Taylor represented New Zealand in 15 Tests during the WTC cycle, in which he managed to score 779 runs at an average of 38.95. He scored one century and five half-centuries during this period. His consistent rise during this period makes him the third-highest run-getter for the Kiwis.
India is scheduled to play New Zealand in the World Test Championship Final at Southampton between June 18-22.
Comments