2021 was not a great year for team India in terms of ICC events. But they enjoyed a great year as a test team. Probably the best year in Indian test history. In this article, we will see all the major moments and ups and downs moments of team India month-wise in 2021.
Gabba Victory
In January we saw that famous Gabba victory of team India when they registered test series win for the second time on Australian soil. Indians were underdogs and especially after many injure it was even hard for them to pick the perfect eleven but the team of underdogs and inexperienced players outplayed the mighty Australians. Surely it was India’s most heroic test victory.
Rohit Sharma Performance
Then came a sensational knock from the Indian opener Rohit Sharma in February in Chennai against England. Rohit was simply outstanding in that inning with pure patience and calmness. Rohit is India’s most successful batter in 2021.
India won the series against England
It was the end of India’s home test series against England in March and they registered a 4-1 series win against England and qualified for the World Test championship finals in England against New Zealand.
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IPL back
In April it was IPL who gave Indian’s happiness and joy. After the devastating year of 2020 BCCI decided to get back IPL back to its country in 2021. It was organized successfully by BCCI with only four stadiums to host all the matches.
In May came heart-breaking news for Indian fans when IPL got suspended after some team’s bio bubbles got broke and COVID cases emerged within the IPL franchises. IPL got suspended and the Indian team went for England for much-awaited WTC finals and a 5 match test series with England.
WTC finals
In June 2021 while playing WTC finals for the first time in Southampton, England. India lost the finals against the Kiwis it was another heartbreak for the Indian cricket team fans after one more exit from the knockout stage of an ICC event.
Sri Lanka Tour
July was a special month for the Indian team as it was for the first time in Indian cricket team history when two teams were playing in two different countries. India A was in England preparing for the test series against England and India B was in Sri Lanka under the leadership of Shikhar Dhawan won the 3 match ODI series against Sri Lanka but lost 3 matches T20 series against Sri Lanka. The team’s coach was Rahul Dravid who now is the head coach of the India A team.
Also Read: Top 5 Special Cricketing Moments of 2021
Lords Victory
India won fortress Gabba in January and then won the fortress Lord’s in England. It was the second test of five-match test series in England. Lords were the venue and team India registered a historic and one of the most memorable victories at lords. KL Rahul scored a great century in the first innings and Siraj contributed brilliantly with the bowl. The most interesting part of the match was the Shami-Bumrah partnership which helped India a lot. It was England’s captain Joe Root who fought brilliantly but unfortunately couldn’t able to win the match.
IPL in UAE
In September as promised by the BCCI IPL returned. This time part two of 2021 IPL was played in the United Arab Emirates. BCCI hosting the IPL in three different venues in UAE. Chennai super kings led by MS Dhoni won their fourth IPL title this year.
India the lost match against PaK
October was the worst month of 2021 for an Indian cricket team. India got knocked out from the T20 world cup after facing a shameful defeat against Pakistan and New Zealand. It was for the first time when Pakistan won the match against India in the world cup. After which India couldn’t able to broke the streak against New Zealand in ICC events and they lost against New Zealand too.
Rahul Dravid team head coach
November was a relief month for the Indian fans as Rahul Dravid was appointed as the new head coach of the Indian team after the end of Ravi Shastri’s successful tenure. Rohit was also given captaincy of T20 format and he registered a 3-0 win against New Zealand at home. Although it was a bit emotional to see Virat stepping down as captain of both the Indian team and the RCB franchise in T20I.
Centurion Victory
The Year 2021 ended happily for the ICT fans. India registered a 1-0 test win against New Zealand at home. In mid-December, some controversies arise in the Indian camp between Virat and BCCI. Virat was removed as captain by BCCI in mid-December before the South Africa tour. Then came the most awaited victory at Centurion in the first test against South Africa on South Africa’s soil. Earlier in January fortress Gabba was captured than in August lords was done and now year ended perfectly as India defeated South Africa at their backyard in Centurion.
