Top 10 records created/broken by the Indian team and players in 2021
2021 was certainly memorable for cricket fans as some exciting contests were witnessed over the 22 yards. From Tests to ODIs and T20s, all the versions of the game entertained the fans thoroughly. Meanwhile, 2021 will also go down as one of the best years in Indian cricket history. After all, the side registered some emphatic triumphs across formats.
The start of the year saw India scripting history in Australia, becoming the first Asian team to win Test series down under twice. Virat Kohli’s men then defeated England across all formats in the home series. Notably, India also qualified for the inaugural World Test Championship final but lost to New Zealand in the summit clash.
Nevertheless, India continued their fine run in overseas Tests and finished 2-1 in the inconclusive series in England. The T20 World Cup, however, was forgettable for India as the team couldn’t even clear the group stage. The tournament also was Kohli’s last assignment as India’s white-ball captain. Meanwhile, India defeated New Zealand in Tests and T20Is at home in November-December. The side is currently playing in South Africa.
Meanwhile, let’s look at the major records created or made by India in 2021:
India became the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia twice. The Virat Kohli-led side defeated the Aussies 2-1 in the 2018-19 tour. They replicated their heroics and won the 2020-21 series by the exact same margin.
Ravichandran Ashwin became the first-ever bowler to dismiss 200 left-handed batters in Test cricket. England’s Stuart Broad was his landmark victim.
Veteran Indian opener Rohit Sharma became the second-ever batter to complete 3000 runs in all three international formats. His teammate Virat Kohli was the first to get the landmark.
Rohit also became the batter with the most fifty-plus scores in T20 internationals (30). He surpassed Kohli’s tally of 29 such scores.
Axar Patel’s tally of five five-wicket hauls is the most by an Indian after the first five Tests.
Rishabh Pant registered a unique record during India’s historic Test series win over the Aussies. He became the visiting batter with most consecutive 25-plus scores in Tests down under (9). He went past Vivian Richards’ tally of 8 such scores to get the feat.
Virat Kohli became the first-ever player to win 50 international matches across all formats.
India became the first team to win 50 T20I matches while chasing.
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul became the first Indian pair to record five consecutive fifty-plus stands in T20Is.
Shardul Thakur recorded the fastest Test fifty on England soil, achieving the landmark off just 31 balls. He went past Ian Botham, who got the milestone in 32 deliveries.
