Most memorable T20 matches of 2021
The year 2021 witnessed some superb T20 matches. There were excellent comebacks, nerve wrenching finishes that made our hearts skip a beat, and incredible turnarounds that kept us at the edge of our seats. As 2021 draws to a close, let us take a look at the 5 best T20 matches of the year.
5. Colombo Stars vs Dambulla Giants (LPL 2021)
In a cliffhanger of a contest, the Dambulla Giants beat the Colombo Stars by just 1 run in the 2021 Lanka Premier League (LPL). In a low scoring rubber, the Dambulla side batted first, and scored 138/9 in their 20 overs. In reply, the Colombo Stars lost wickets at regular intervals, and the equation boiled down to 13 runs needed off the last over.
The first ball was smashed for a boundary, but then the Dambulla Giants pulled things back. Off the final delivery, the Stars needed six to win, but Dinesh Chandimal could only score a four, as the Giants prevailed by just 1 run.
4. RCB vs DC (IPL 2021)
This was a roller coaster that would have made the fans bite their nails in tension. Delhi Capitals batted first and their openers, Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan put on a blistering 88-run partnership at the top of the order, as the Rishabh Pant led outfit posted a total of 164/5 on the board.
In reply, Srikar Bharat and Glenn Maxwell were superb with the bat for the RCB side. While Bharat scored a 52-ball 78*, Maxwell raced away to 51* off 33 balls. And, with 5 runs needed off the final delivery, Bharat smacked Avesh Khan for a six over Long On to help the ‘Men in Red’ to a famous win.
3. New Zealand vs England (2021 T20 World Cup)
Daryl Mitchell played an innings for the ages as New Zealand beat the England side by 5 wickets in the first semifinal of the 2021 T20 World Cup. Batting first, England scored a competitive 166/4, with Moeen Ali scoring a quickfire 51*. In reply, New Zealand opener Daryl Mitchell led the run chase for the Kiwis and helped them to a sensational win.
In fact, New Zealand were tottering at 107/4 after 15.1 overs and needed another 60 runs off just 4.5 overs. And, that was when Mitchell forged a counter-attacking 40-run stand with James Neesham and turned the match on its head. Even after the departure of Neesham for an 11-ball 27, Mitchell stayed till the end, scored 72* off 47 deliveries and helped New Zealand post a 5-wicket victory.
2. CSK vs MI (IPL 2021)
This was a high scoring classic between two heavyweights of IPL cricket, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI). CSK batted first and scored a gargantuan 218/4, with Ambati Rayudu scoring a murderous 27-ball 72*. In reply, it was the ‘Pollard blitzkrieg’ that just blew CSK away.
Pollard walked in with the MI scorecard reading 81/3 after 9.4 overs. The West Indian absolutely tore the CSK bowling attack to shreds and scored a marauding 87* off just 34 balls. And, with 2 runs needed off 1 ball, the MI side crossed the finish line to post a superb victory over the mighty CSK side.
1. Australia vs Pakistan (2021 T20 World Cup)
In this high-scoring classic played in the T20 World Cup 2021, the Australian side won the toss and bowled first. Pakistan produced a good performance with the willow and posted 176/4, with Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman slamming half-centuries.
In reply, Australia were almost down and out at 96/5 after 12.2 overs. But then, the duo of Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis continued the fight and put on a stunning counter-attacking partnership of 81 runs. Wade in particular went berserk, and scored a ruthless 17-ball 41*, as the Aussies beat Pakistan with 5 wickets and an over to spare.
