Top 10 busiest cricketers in 2021

The year 2020 was dull for cricket fans, with matches, series, and tournaments being cancelled left, right, and centre due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even the much-awaited ICC T20 World Cup 2021 was postponed. Nevertheless, lovers of the gentleman’s game have been enjoying a gala time in 2021, with the cricket calendar being jam-packed.

While players have been busy this year, fans witnessed some mind-boggling action between the bat and ball across formats. Test cricket was at its best during India vs Australia series earlier this year, while we saw some exciting T20 action when England visited later this year. Several prominent players have also plied their trade in T20 franchises like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The cricket fever will remain high in the latter half of 2021, with many important fixtures scheduled, including the T20 World Cup in India. Hence, it’s pretty evident that many prominent players haven’t and will not breathe easily. Moreover, they’ll remain busy as the year progresses. Here we look at-

 Busiest Cricketers in the year 2021

10. Virat Kohli – 31 Matches

Despite missing some matches in the Border Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, Indian skipper Virat Kohli makes a cut in this list. Now, this shows his hectic schedule. The talismanic cricketer returned to action during the full-fledged home series against England and played all the games. He then led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL before the season suspension.

Currently, the star batsman is gearing up for one of the sternest challenges of his career, the ICC World Test Championship Final against New Zealand. The summit clash will be followed by a five-match Test series against England in their backyard. However, the 32-year-old won’t get much time to relax.

He’ll have to lead RCB in the UAE-leg of IPL 2021 before featuring in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 at home. If we combine all this, he should feature in 31 games in 2021. Kohli’s upcoming assignments indeed hold great significance, and hence, the star cricketer must put his best foot forward.

9. Rishabh Pant – 32 Matches

The young wicketkeeper-batsman is above Kohli on this list, thanks to his participation in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Rishabh Pant has been on a roll this season and played one brilliant knock after another across formats. Owing to this, he wasn’t spotted warming the benches. After taking India to a Test series triumph over Australia, Pant featured in the home series against England.

Except for the first ODI, he was part of all games in the full-fledged series. Pant continued his phenomenal show in IPL 2021, where he was asked to lead Delhi Capitals in Shreyas Iyer’s absence. The southpaw did a terrific job, taking his side to six wins in eight games before the suspension.

The dasher will next feature in the ICC World Test Championship final and the following five Tests against England. Taking the remaining IPL 2021 and the T20 World Cup into account, Pant should end the year with 32 matches on the calendar.

8. Rohit Sharma – 33 Matches

We have got another Indian on this list in Rohit Sharma. Hailed as Hitman, the right-handed batsman is arguably the finest opener going around, and his spectacular numbers speak volumes of his prowess. Hence, it’s needless to say Rohit will take the field when he’s fit and available.

As the swashbuckling batsman didn’t sustain any injuries this year, he participated in all games and thrived as well. After playing some match-winning knocks in the Tests against Australia, Rohit was one of India’s key batsmen in the home series against England. He also did exceptionally well leading Mumbai Indians in the now-suspended IPL 2021.

Coming to his upcoming assignments, he’ll feature in the ICC WTC finals, Test series against England, remaining IPL 2021, and T20 World Cup. Rohit will end 2021 playing 33 matches if he doesn’t sustain any injury in the remaining year.

7. Imran Tahir – 37 Matches

The South African leg-spinner played his last international game back in July 2019. However, he still features in this list which shows the emergence of franchise cricket lately. Tahir’s stint with Melbourne Renegades in Big Bash League (BBL) 2020-21 was his first assignment this year. The veteran spinner then plied his trade for Deccan Gladiators.

Tahir then represented three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the now-postponed IPL 2021. He played just one game in the initial half of the tournament but can play a much significant role when the season resumes with many national team players expected to pull out. Notably, Tahir will play for Multan Sultans in the remaining half of IPL.

As the year goes on, he’ll don Guyana Amazon Warriors jersey in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). If Tahir participates in all the matches of these tournaments, he’ll end the year with 37 games. Now, that’s impressive for a 42-year-old.

6. Rashid Khan – 55 Matches

One of the finest leg-spinners going around, Rashid has been a hot property in world cricket. Alongside his national time, the Afghanistan star has also been a vital cog of many prominent T20 franchises. At the start of this year, the leggie was with Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Adelaide Strikers. He left the tournament midway for national duty.

In Afghanistan colours, Rashid played ODIs against Ireland before facing Zimbabwe in Tests and T20Is. The Afghan side thrived in these assignments, and Khan played a significant part. Alongside taking wickets regularly, the 22-year-old also helped his teams with some big-hitting lower down the order.

Coming to Khan’s other assignments, he’s a part of Lahore Qalandars, Guayana Amazon Warriors, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in PSL, CPL, and IPL respectively. The youngster will also be critical of Afghanistan’s chances in the T20 World Cup. Going by the calendar, Rashid can make a maximum of 55 appearances this year.

5. Faf du Plessis – 56 Matches

Having announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier this year, Du Plessis hasn’t been a part of South Africa’s red-ball team lately. However, this doesn’t mean that veteran cricket had an off-season. He always has some assignments lined up, thanks to his prowess in white-ball cricket.

The former South African captain featured in the home Test series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan before retiring from the longest format. After enjoying a brief break, he joined CSK in IPL and played some sensational knocks for the three-time champions. He’ll also play for the PSL franchise Quetta Gladiators and St. Lucia Zouks.

Although the 36-year-old doesn’t seem to feature in South Africa’s current scheme of things, he would be a potential inclusion for the T20 World Cup. Taking a count of Du Plessis’ maximum appearances this year, he should play 56 games.

4. Andre Russell – 60 Matches

With Andre Russell being one of the most celebrated T20 all-rounders going around, his inclusion in this list was as obvious as daylight. The talismanic all-rounder can give the ball a real whack, and his happy knack of taking wickets makes him a captain’s delight. Henceforth, Russell has been and will be busy this year.

Russell showed his heroics for Kolkata Knight Riders in this year’s IPL before the tournament’s postponement. He’ll also play his trade for Quetta Gladiators and Jamaica Tallawahs respectively. Notably, the swashbuckler is yet to play an international match this year but has been picked in the West Indies provisional squad for Australia, South Africa, and Pakistan.

However, one can only expect him to feature in T20Is and not in other formats. It is also evident that Cricket West Indies (CWI) wants Russell’s services for the T20 World Cup. If the 32-year-old features in all these projects, he’ll make around 60 appearances this year.

3. Kieron Pollard – 60 Matches

Russell is indeed not the only Caribbean all-rounder tormenting oppositions in white-ball cricket. Kieron Pollard also belongs to that category. After becoming the West Indies’ white-ball team captain, Pollard has been a regular face in the side. The dasher has marshalled his troop in the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka in March.

He then joined five-time winners Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021. Pollard played some handy knocks in the tournament before the suspension. The dasher is now gearing up for a hefty home season against Australia, South Africa, and Pakistan. Not to forget, he’ll also feature in the CPL, representing Trinbago Knight Riders, and the remaining IPL season.

Pollard has a stern challenge ahead of him as he’ll lead West Indies in the T20 World Cup. The Men in Maroon are the defending champions, and the skipper has to perform from the front to retain the title. Coming to his schedule, he can feature in 60 games in 2021.

2. Fabien Allen – 61 Matches

Many of you wouldn’t have expected Fabien Allen to hold such a high place on this list. However, the Caribbean all-rounder has taken significant strides in recent years with his match-winning performances. The left-arm spinner can contain the run-flow in white-ball cricket alongside play big shots in crunch overs.

These aspects make Allen a potent T20 player and hence, many franchises bagged his services. This year, the southpaw has contracts with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Peshwar Zalmi, and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in IPL, PSL, and CPL respectively. Hence, the 26-year-old hasn’t got much time off the field.

Speaking of his international projects, Allen featured in the T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka. He’s also a part of West Indies’ provisional squad for the massive home season. He would like to shine in those games and confirm his place in the Caribbean squad for the T20 World Cup. Allen, in total, is expected to play a total of 60 games in 2021.

1. Jason Holder – 62 Matches

The top place in this list is also occupied by the Caribbean star. Jason Holder belongs to the rare breed of all-rounders who can be a force to reckon with in all formats. Hence, a player of this caliber won’t have much time to spend off the field. The former West Indies captain has been playing international cricket regularly alongside showcasing blitzes in T20 leagues.

Holder was a part of West Indies’ all-format team against Sri Lanka earlier this year. He then took a flight to India to don the Sunrisers Hyderabad jersey in IPL. Although the tournament was halted midway, it won’t give the all-rounder a lot of breathers. Holder, who’s the only West Indies player holding a central contract across formats, also features in the West Indies team for the home season.

As the year progresses, we’ll see Holder leading Barbados Tridents in CPL 2021. However, the all-rounder’s bigger eye will be on the T20 World Cup, and he would be determined to take his to glory. In the jam-packed year, Holder can feature in a maximum of 62 games.