Cricket in 2021 was the sport at its absolute best. The game started with Test cricket being played at a different level. There was a WTC final that culminated with an uncrowned team lifting the first title. A very unlikely team ended up winning their maiden T20 World Cup. Unsung heroes emerged from nowhere. The pandemic did try its utmost best to put off plans, but cricket emerged stronger. Here are 5 Unforgettable Cricket Moments Of 2021.
We look at 5 Unforgettable Cricket Moments Of 2021:
#5 CSK’s 4th IPL Title
The Chennai Super Kings for the first time in 2020 failed to qualify for the playoffs. They finished 7th in the league stage. Nobody had given CSK a chance heading into this season. But in a stunning turnaround, CSK turned back the clock. They eased their way into a record 4th title. CSK looked like a side possessed. It felt almost impossible for any team to stop them in the tracks. Their win was a homecoming of sorts for everyone who loves this franchise.
#4 Ajaz Patel’s Perfect 10!
New Zealand was coming off a tough World Cup final loss and toured India post 3 days after that. They appeared a tired, jaded outfit competing against India at home. New Zealand lost the 3-match T20I series 0-3. They held firmly in the first Test forcing an unlikely draw. But they came up against a rampant Indian side in Mumbai. India expectedly proved to be too strong for the Kiwis. They outplayed them in all departments.
But the major memory from the game was Ajaz Patel’s world record feat. He achieved a perfect 10 scalping figures of 10-119. Patel became just the 3rd player in the game’s history to grab all 10 wickets in an innings.
#3 Australia winning their maiden T20 World Cup Title
The T20 World Cup 2021 was held in the UAE. It was expected to assist the sub-continent teams. But more than the wickets it was the toss that decided the match’s outcome on most occasions. India was at the receiving end of the toss in 2 of their most important games.
Pakistan and England who dominated the league stage were considered favorites. But in a surprising turn of events, it was Australia who emerged as unlikely champions. They won the toss in all the important games and worked around the advantage. It was Australia’s maiden T20 World Cup title. The win was a shot in the arm for their players, coach, management, and fans.
#2 New Zealand winning the inaugural WTC
New Zealand is popularly known as everybody’s 2nd favorite team. They along with South Africa were considered to be two of the most unlucky teams. New Zealand lost in the 2015 World Cup final. They lost in T20 World Cup 2016 semifinals. But the most heartbreaking loss came in the 2019 ODI World Cup finals. They lost out on the margin [barest] of boundary count.
The entire world felt at loss seeing them miss out on a coveted World Cup. But the kiwis made wonderful amends in the inaugural World Test Championship [WTC]. They defeated India at Southampton to win the WTC. It felt as if the cricket gods had written this in their destiny.
#1 India’s historic Test Series win in Australia
Team India achieved the pinnacle of success when they breached fortress Gabba in January 2021. The Indian team created unprecedented history down under. They won the Border-Gavaskar trophy 2-1. It was India’s second consecutive series win in Australia. The fact that India was without their 9 major frontline players and Aussies fielded their first-choice squad, made this achievement even more memorable.
India was completely written off when they were bowled out for 36 in the 2nd innings of the first Test at Adelaide. But the Indians made a roaring comeback. They notched up victories in Melbourne and Gabba to win the series 2-1. This stupendous feat was lauded by everyone including the honorable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. The BCCI announced a monetary reward of INR 5 crores to the entire Indian team. It was a win for the ages!
