5 records created by India across formats in 2021

The year 2021 was a year that was filled with many cricketing events and actions that took place apart from the regular bilateral series. The inaugural World Test Championship final was conducted in June where the world saw New Zealand as the first Test champions as they defeated India in Southampton. Originally planned in 2020 but postponed due to Covid-19, T20 World Cup was back in action after five long years and the five-time ODI World Cup winners Australia lifted their maiden T20 World Cup.

Talking about team India, they had a good year apart from the massive disappointment of the WTC final loss and the T20 World Cup exit. After losing the first two games, the Men in Blue failed to even qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 event. Speaking of performances in the Tests, India had a solid 2021 in the whites as the team just keep on striving under the leadership of Virat Kohli. Home or abroad, India continued their dominance in the longest format of the game.

Meanwhile, let’s take a look at some of the records created by team India in the year 2021:

1. First Asian team to win Test series in Australia twice 

The year started off with a bang as Ajinkya Rahane-led Team India won their second series on Australian soil when they beat the Kangaroos at the Gabba, Brisbane in January thanks to the heroics of Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Siraj. Virat Kohli, who captained the team only in the first Test which they lost, took paternity leave and then it was Rahane who took over and led India to a famous 2-1 series victory down under. India became only the first Asian country to win Test series twice down under, having previously won by the same margin in 2018/19.

2. Rohit Sharma became the second batter with 3000 runs in all formats

During India’s tour of England in August-September, Rohit Sharma became the second batter in the world to score 3000 runs in all formats after Virat Kohli. He has 9205 runs in ODIs, 3197 runs in T20Is and 3047 runs in Tests. A proven white-ball opening batter Rohit Sharma grabbed his opportunity with both hands when he was asked to open the batting in Tests against South Africa in 2019 home series. Since then he has stamped his authority even in the longest format now becoming an integral part of the Test set-up.

3. Rohit Sharma became the batter with most 50 plus scores in T20Is

During the T20 World Cup in UAE, the Indian opening dasher Rohit Sharma became the batter scoring most 50 plus scores in T20Is. He surpassed his teammate Virat Kohli’s tally of 29 such scores. Third in the list is Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam who has 25 50 plus scores to his name. Rohit has scored the most centuries (4) in T20I format with New Zealand’s Colin Munro behind him with three tons. Rohit has also notched up 26 half-centuries taking his total tally of 50 plus scores to 30. One of the most consistent and dangerous white-ball player Rohit has also hit 150 sixes in the T20Is only behind Martin Guptill’s 165.

4.Ravichandran Ashwin surpassed Harbhajan Singh’s tally of 417 Test scalps

During the recently concluded home series against the Blackcaps, R Ashwin went past Harbhajan Singh’s record of 417 wickets in Test matches. Ashwin is now the third highest wicket-taker for India in Tests. He is also the second-most successful spinner for India in Tests. With 427 wickets, the Chennai-born bowler climbed to the fifth place in the list of most Test wickets by spinner. Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (708), Anil Kumble (619) and Rangana Herath (433) are ahead of him.

5.Axar Patel became the Indian spinner with most five-fors after first five Tests

In the just concluded Test series against New Zealand at home, Axar Patel became the Indian spinner with most five wicket-hauls after first five Tests. He is ahead of Narendra Hirwani and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan who both had three five-fors after first five games. In terms of wickets, Axar (36) is just one wicket behind Narendra Hirwani (37). Axar Patel has made a great start in his young Test career as his five wicket-hauls and number of wickets shows that he is a big threat in the home conditions.