The Indian team was going through a transitional phase post the retirement of a few stalwarts. They struggled to achieve success overseas. It was when the trio of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane stood up. They put in impressive performances across different geographies. India had arguably the best middle order. Here in this article, we talk about India’s biggest match-winners in WTC.
Their failure in WTC:
But come the WTC, their collective failures held the team back. Pujara hasn’t scored a century since January 2019. Virat Kohli is yet to notch a triple-digit score since November 2019. Rahane had one century in three years. But India’s ascendancy continues in Test cricket. It is mainly owing to the key performances of other players.
We look at 5 of India’s biggest match-winners in WTC:
#5 Ravichandran Ashwin
He has been India’s biggest match-winner in Tests at home in the last decade. Ravichandran Ashwin on the subcontinental pitches is unplayable. He picks up five-fers for fun. Ashwin’s major contribution though came down under. He put in brilliant performances right through the first three Tests. Ashwin was instrumental in tying Steve Smith down. His opening day act in MCG sort of laid the groundwork for India’s historic series win.
#4 Jasprit Bumrah
India’s new Test captain has been nothing short of sensational right since his Test debut in 2018. Jasprit Bumrah has five-wicket hauls in South Africa, England, Australia, and the West Indies. None of the Asian pacers hold this distinction. Bumrah played a pivotal role in India’s twin success in Australia and England. He is an absolute force to reckon with whenever he comes on to bowl.
#3 Rohit Sharma
The fact that India’s non-performing middle-order didn’t hamper the team’s success was largely down to their openers. Rohit Sharma especially has been on a different zone altogether right since he opened the batting in Tests. Sharma has had a definite say in each of India’s victories in the WTC. It was his fantastic opening display in the series against England that put India in a dominant position.
#2 Rishabh Pant
If it was Sharma at the top, then it was certainly Rishabh Pant who emerged as an enforcer in the middle. He was not part of India’s plans at home in the initial stage of the first WTC cycle. The team was forced to play Pant at MCG to shake things up after the disastrous 36 all-out. Pant has never looked back ever since. He has three centuries in WTC, two coming against England (one each at home and away), and one in South Africa. Pant played a major role in India’s epic series win against Australia down under.
#1 Ravindra Jadeja
He has been India’s most valuable player across formats in the last 3-4 years. Ravindra Jadeja has really come into his own as a Test batter. He notched up his first century overseas. Jadeja put up a show of all-round brilliance earlier this year. He scored 175 not out and picked up 9 wickets in the game. Jadeja is arguably the best all-rounder in world cricket. He has been an underrated asset who deserves more laurels than what comes his way.
