The Indian cricket team had a fabulous year in Test Cricket this year. Indian Cricket Team played eight Test matches in 2019 and maintained a solid record of seven wins and a draw. The solitary draw came in the fourth Test at the SCG against Australia earlier this year in January. That was after India won the series 2-1.
Post that, India performed in three series that were part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship. The Virat Kohli-led side thrashed West Indies, South Africa, and Bangladesh to win three successive Test cricket series, besides pocketing seven matches in a row. All of the wins came in a convincing fashion.
The last Test match was the Day-Night affair against Bangladesh. The hosts won the match by an innings and 46 runs at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With that win, not only did the Indian cricket team maintained its status atop the ICC Test Rankings but also raced to 350 points in the Test Championship, They are atop the chart.
Notably, Kohli’s side has finished its Test journey in 2019. Their next series is against West Indies which comprises three T20Is and three ODIs next month. The world number one team in Test Cricket plays its next series of the format against New Zealand away from home. That series starts from February 21 onwards.
Are the Indian Cricket Team really Invincible in Test Cricket?
Here we look back at the year and present you with the statistical analysis of performance in Test Cricket. From individual and team achievements, the Asian giants dominated the show like nobody else.
Mayank and Shami top runs and wickets chart
When it comes to dictating the format with bat and ball, two of India’s prime assets in the form of Mayank Agarwal and Mohammed Shami stood out. Mayank was the find of the side over the past 12 months. After making his debut in Test Cricket against Australia in December 2018, the opener took his game to newer heights.
As 2019 progressed, Mayank grew in confidence and dazzled. He made the opening place his own and peaked beautifully, The Karnataka batsman showed his worth in Test Cricket by amassing 754 runs in 11 innings at an average of 68.54, including three centuries and a couple of half-centuries. His standout moment came when he scored two double hundreds in successive series against SA and Bangladesh respectively,
Mayank was followed by vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (642), Virat Kohli (612), Rohit Sharma (556) and Cheteshwar Pujara (507) among the top five run-scorers for the Indian cricket team.
In bowling, the Indian pace unit was classy. Collectively, the pacers were on a different level altogether and helped the side grow from strength to strength. Shami, who was terrific in 2018, carried on his sublime form this year as well. He took the most scalps for the side (33).
The right-arm pacer achieved the tally in 16 innings at an average of 16.66. His best performance in a match was 7/58. Shami has done wonders of late and that showed on the pitch both home and away. Following him was Ishant Sharma (25), Umesh Yadav (23) and Ravindra Jadeja (21).
Rohit dazzles with his average, Kohli gets the best score
Senior Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma, who batted in the middle order in all of the 27 career Tests prior to the series against South Africa, was presented with the chance of opening the batting alongside Mayank. He grabbed the chance and brought his success in limited-overs as an opener into the fold.
Rohit was unstoppable in the series against the Proteas at home. He scored freely and scored 529 runs in the three Tests. He scored three hundred that included the best of 212. He scored 6 and 21 against Bangladesh to end with 556 runs at an average of 92.66, which is the highest among the Indian players for this year.
Meanwhile, captain Kohli may not have ended the year with the most runs, however, he got hold of the best Test score by an Indian batsman. His unbeaten 254 against South Africa last month was a superb feat. That was also his career-best Test score. Mayank’s 243 was the second-best score by an Indian player.
Ishant impresses with the best-match haul, Bumrah claims a hat-trick
Nobody will forget Ishant’s exploits with the SG pink ball in the Day-Night Test against Bangladesh in Kolkata. The lanky pacer claimed his second career five-wicket haul on home soil. He was super throughout the match as India dominated the show from start to finish. He was unstoppable and terrorized the Bangladeshis with figures of 9/78 in the match.
That led Ishant to script the best bowling figures in a match for the year. The senior pacer from Delhi was followed by the likes of Umesh Yadav (8/82), Ravichandran Ashwin (8/189) and Jasprit Bumrah (7/58).
The four-man pacer attack claimed six five-wicket hauls between them. Ishant and Jasprit Bumrah shared the joint-best record (2 each). Bumrah finished with the best bowling figures by a pacer in an innings for India (6/27 against West Indies).
Interestingly, Bumrah became the third Indian bowler in the history of Test cricket to take a hat-trick. he achieved the feat against West Indies during the second Test at Sabina Park. Meanwhile, spinner R Ashwin claimed the best figures by an Indian bowler (7/145).
Records scripted by Team India in 2019
When you look at the stats of Team India, several records were amassed. Virat Kohli’s side scored their highest Test total in an innings for the year (622/7) against Australia in Sydney. That Test ended in a draw.
India’s highest match total was of 825 runs against South Africa in Visakhapatnam. When you look at the biggest win, it was by an innings and 202 runs against South Africa in Ranchi. Notably, India won four successive Tests by an innings to script a new record.
After beating Bangladesh, India registered a feat of 12 successive Test series wins at home. Team India also registered its third successive series whitewash by beating West Indies, South Africa, and Bangladesh.
Frequently Asked Questions
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