Top 5 Best Test Innings Of 2021

The sporting activities were severely impacted due to the rise of Covid-19 cases in the year 2020. The 2020 year saw only 22 Tests being played across the globe. A lot of tournaments got suspended or cancelled due to the Covid-19 scare. However, the fans witnessed a lot more action in 2021.

As many as 43 Test matches have been played in the year 2021. England and India played the most number of Tests this year, with 15 and 14 to their name respectively. Among the teams that have played at least 5 Tests, Pakistan has the best win percentage in Tests this year. In 9 Tests, they managed to win 7 games with a win percentage of 77.77. India, on the other hand, has managed to win 7 Tests out of 14 with a win percentage of 50.

The year 2011 saw a plethora of runs being scored in Test Cricket. We have witnessed some impressive knocks from different countrymen in the longest format. As the year comes to a close, let’s take a look at 5 best knocks in Test Cricket in 2021

Top 5 Best Test Innings Of 2021

5. KL Rahul: 129 off 250 against England at Lord’s

After the first Test of the five-match series ended in a draw, India put on a sensational performance at Lord’s in the second Test. They were brilliant with both bat and ball. India managed to score over 300 runs in the first innings and also took all the 20 wickets in the match.

They eventually won the Lord’s Test by 151 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. With that, Virat Kohli became only the third captain after Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni to win a Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground. It was KL Rahul who set the tone for the win with a sensational knock in the first innings. He stitched an outstanding 126-run opening partnership to lay the foundation for other batsmen to capitalize. Rohit Sharma got out after scoring 82 but KL Rahul kept going.

KL Rahul hit 11 fours and 1 six en-route to a 129-run knock off 250 balls. KL Rahul looked fluent and clear-headed. There wasn’t a single bowler who could trouble him. His knock was instrumental in India’s success in the Test series.

4. Kyle Mayers: 210 against Bangladesh in Chittagong

On his Test debut for West Indies, Kyle Mayers wrote his name in the history books. The 29-year old notched a double-century in his very first Test to help West Indies register a historic three-wicket win. On a turning track of Chittagong, Bangladesh set a target of 395 runs for the West Indies to win the game.

Kyle Mayers added 216 runs with Nkrumah Bonner to turn the game on its head. He remained unbeaten on 210 to script a historic win for West Indies. Mayers hit 20 fours and seven sixes during his match-winning knock. With that knock, he also became only the sixth batter to score a double-century in the fourth innings of a Test. Kyle Mayer’s sensational knock is fourth in our list of best Tests knocks of 2021.

3. Rohit Sharma: 127 against England at Kennington Oval, London

Ahead of the start of the fourth Test at Kennington Oval in London, both India and England won one match apiece. India needed a win in the fourth Test to give themselves the chance to win the series. Virat Kohli and Boys didn’t start off too well as they got bundled out for 191 runs in the first innings.

England, in reply, posted 290 in the second innings. With a deficit of 99 runs, England needed to bat extremely well to save the Test, let alone win it. More importantly, they needed a good start. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, yet again, produced a perfect start. The duo stitched an 83-run partnership to lay the foundation for a good score. KL Rahul, unfortunately, got out on 46 but Rohit Sharma held firm at one end.

The 34-year exhibited utmost patience during the course of his innings. He left the balls which were there to leave and ensured he send the bad balls to the boundary ropes. Rohit Sharma went on to score a sensational century, helping India take control in the game. Rohit Sharma scored 127 runs off 256 balls, including 14 fours and 1 six, and helped the side score a mammoth 466 in the third innings. India, eventually, won the Test by 157 runs.

2. Joe Root: 218 (377) against India in Chennai

Joe Root has had a dream run in Test Cricket in 2021. The England Test skipper has scored runs for fun this year. Root has managed to score runs against every opposition he has played. England toured India for a five-match series between February and March. England stunned India after beating India in the first Test by a massive margin of 227 runs.

Joe Root was the architect of that win. In his first very first innings of the Test series, Root scored an outstanding knock of 218 urns off 377 balls. He stitched crucial partnerships with D Sibley and Ben Stokes, helping India post a massive total of 578 runs in the first innings. Root hit 19 fours and 2 sixes during his stellar knock.

1. Rishabh Pant: 89 (138) against Australia at The Gabba, Brisbane

The Indian Cricket Team recorded history in January this year after winning the Border Gavaskar series for the second consecutive time in Australia. In the final Test of the series at The Gabba, India chased down 328 runs to break Australia’s 32-year unbeaten run at the particular ground.

In pursuit of the target, India were 3 down for 167 when Rishabh Pant walked out to bat. With a mountain to climb on the final day, Rishabh Pant had a huge responsibility on his shoulders. The southpaw launched a counterattack and gave India a sense of belief.

He took on the likes of Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood, making sure he hit the bad balls to the boundary ropes. Rishabh Pant played right till the end, stayed unbeaten on 89 off 138 runs and helped India win the game by 3 wickets.