The year 2021 put the world in many ups and downs amid covid-19 pandemic. However, the oldest form of cricket (Test cricket) was on. All eyes were on the first ever World Test Championship which made fans dive to watch Test cricket in the era of limited over cricket. The year 2021 witnessed a handsome amount of runs being amassed in the Test format. The batters harnessed adaptability at crucial times and showed fearless approach when the situation demands.
Also, viewers spectated some breath-taking encounters throughout the whole year especially during the ICC World Test Championship. Team New Zealand defeated a strong Indian side in Southampton to clinch their first Test championship.
Now, if you look at the contribution of batsmen during the Test, it was immense. On that note, let’s look at a few stats of world class batters in 2021. England skipper Joe Root had a brilliant year, amassing 1606 runs at an average of 64.24. Notably, Indian batsman Rohit Sharma performed really well to reinstate faith in Indian selectors reinstating his Test career.
And hence, let's have a glimpse at the top 5 match winning batsman performances in 2021.
1. Rishabh Pant (89* vs Australia, Brisbane)
Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant's record in the 4th innings unleashed in the finest method at Australia's fortress Gabba in the beginning of 2021. India reached 328 runs on the final day of the last Test match,enabling the team to win back to back Border-Gavaskar trophies.
While chasing the target of 328 runs given by Australia, Pant came onto bat when India’s score read 167/3. With his fearless approach to counter fiery Australian bowlers, Rishabh Pant made the team believe that they can win the game with his fearless approach. The southpaw rattled the Australian bowling lineup which included Pat Cummins,Starc,Hazlewood and Lyon. The left-arm-batsman played a match winning knock by harnessing crucial partnerships with Pujara and Sundar. He turned the table around and breached the Gabba fortress with his crucial knock of 89*.
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2. Kyle Mayers (210* vs Bangladesh, Chittagong)
In February 2021, West Indies' Kyle Mayers racked an unbeaten double century to help his side clinch the historic 3-wicket over Bangladesh. Bangladesh gave a herculean total of 395-run against the Carribean team.It was difficult to chase as the wicket behaved spin-friendly. However, Mayers racked 216 runs with his partner Nkrumah Bonner (86) to turn the table. Notably, this was also the 5th-highest successful run chase in the history of Test cricket.
Now talking about his knock, the southpaw scored 210 not out, which included 20 boundaries and 7 sixes. Notably, the left-handed-batsman became the 6th player to rack a double century in the last innings of a Test match. Additionally, the Barbados-born player showed great resilience and ensured West Indies’ victory.
3. Rohit Sharma (127 vs England, London)
India’s star batting-maestro Rohit Sharma's record speaks for himself in the limited format of the game. On the other hand, his Test statistics have certainly been under observation. He was given limited opportunities in Test cricket earlier in the middle order. However, Rohit Sharma was given an opportunity to open the innings in Test and then situation changed immediately. Also, he scored two fifties before the Oval Test where he performed at his best potential showing his nerves of steel. He managed to score his 1st overseas Test century. In this innings, Rohit scored 127 runs, which consists of 14 boundaries and a solitary six. His knock gave India a much better position to set up a herculean target that scalped the win at the Oval.
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4. Joe Root (218 vs India, Chennai)
2021 was one of the best years for the England skipper Joe Root.The right-arm-batsman went out to bat when England scored 63/2. He reinstated the team’s morale with a 200-run long stand with Dom Sibley. With this, Root totally skittled the Indian bowling lineup to reach his 5th double century in Test. The innings of 228 runs consisted of 19 fours and 2 sixes. The cricketer from Yorkshire, with his impregnable defense played for 536 minutes. With the help of this innings, England managed to put 578 runs in the 1st innings which then gave the much needed platform for their crucial win.
5. Travis Head (152 vs England, Brisbane)
Australian batsman Travis Head played a crucial inning of his career during the 1st Ashes Test at the Gabba, Brisbane. The southpaw racked up a century in just 85 balls and put the hosts in the winning position. In this innings, the left-handed batsman scored 12 boundaries and hit 2 massive sixes.Notably, this was his 1st Ashes hundred and 3rd century in Test overall. The player from South Australia skittled the English pacers with his fearless approach and deft flicks. And hence, with the help of this mouth-watering display, the host scalped a 9-wicket win.
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