2016 will go down as one of the greatest years in Indian cricket history. It was a year in which Virat Kohli and his group of men (boys) established themselves as a superpower in the world of Test cricket.
India did not lose a single Test match in 2016. In the 12 matches played, they won 9, resulting in a mighty 75% win percentage. They won all the series’ they took part in. Dating back to 2015, the unbeaten streak stretches to 18 games, the country’s longest winning streak in history!
Also read: Jadeja, Karun and KL Rahul surge up in ICC rankings
The beauty of all of it is that the team is growing with the run and new faces are appearing every now and then. The team, and the nation, are moving forwards together. As the one billion strong population gets familiar with its new heroes, with its Jayants, Karuns and Lokeshs, we rate the players that made 2016 the year it was –
Murali Vijay – 7
The Chennai-born right-handed opener has already made a career he can look back at pride with. As he nears 50 Tests, he has earned the senior statesman tag in 2016. When you look at the numbers, you might be led to believe that he didn’t have the best year, but when put in context, one realizes the importance of his contribution.
Due to injuries to a number of players, he was made to open with a number of different partners and took to it seamlessly. The only criticism of Vijay was the fact that he didn’t score enough 100s, but with 2 against England, he has silenced his critics and can look forward to another strong season with the team next year.
Shikhar Dhawan – 5
A terribly disappointing year for the staunchly-backed left-handed opening batsman from Delhi. His natural ability and maverick like style helped him retain his place in the squad in the beginning of the year, but due to poor performances and an injury, he lost out eventually.
With the emergence of a number of other options at the top, he eventually lost his place in the team. His year started in good fashion, with a hard-fought 84 in the West Indies, but that would be his only highlight in the year. Will find it very tough to return to the side in the long run.
KL Rahul – 8
On a personal note, this has been a dream year for the Karnataka batsman. While he had made his mark in Test cricket early onr in his caree, 2016 saw him become a star in all formats for India. There was a dip in his form after a return from injury, but crucially, he bounced back with a superb 199.
To many people, he is the perfect opening partner for Murali Vijay in the long run at the top of the order. He has shown that he has the penchant for converting a start into a long innings on more than one occasion now. He can look forward to 2017 where he intends to exorcise the demons of losing his wicket on 199.
Notable mentions
Gautam Gambhir – 5
It is unfair to rate Gambhir since he only played two Tests in 2016 but there is a feeling that he has now played his last Test for India. The fact that he came in on short notice and gave his heart out for the team, like he always does, will be appreciated by the fans.
If he has indeed played his last Test for India, he can take solace from the fact that he got the chance to score one last half-century.
Cheteshwar Pujara – 8.5
It was a season of reckoning for India’ s #3 batsman as the team management were divided over his place in the side. Matters only became worse when he started the year in poor fashion in the Caribbean, where he didn’ t even manage a half-century.
But after a strong showing in the Duleep trophy, he was given the backing for the home Tests and he absolutely thrived. He ended the year as India’s second highest run-getter with 3 hundreds and 4 50s, all in his final 8 Test matches. He will be India’s #3 for years to come.
Virat Kohli – 10
What a sensational year for Virat Kohli. Not only has he emerged as a better batsman, but a better leader and a bonafide superstar in the world of cricket. Everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. This was his year.
He scored his first double-hundred against the Windies, and added one each in the series’ against the Kiwis and the English. He was India’s highest run-getter with nearly 400 runs more than the second placed Pujara. He also broke Sunil Gavaskar’s record of longest unbeaten streak as captain when his team beat England in Chennai, their 18th straight undefeated game.
Ajinkya Rahane – 7.5
Strange year for the Mumbai born batsman. Everything seemed to be going well, almost as if it was following a script as he displayed remarkable consistency in the first-half of the year. He was doing a sterling job as India’ s vice-captain as well.
Then came the series against England where he struggled before getting injured. Suddenly people were questioning his place with the squad, and with the emergence of Karun Nair and the imminent return of Rohit Sharma, he will have to battle to keep his spot in the team in 2017.
Rohit Sharma – 7
Rohit will be wondering what he has to do to nail down a spot in the Test squad. After failing in the Windies, he finally made his mark in the series against New Zealand, where he scored a half-century in each of the three Tests.
Then disaster struck. Injury struck ahead of the 5-match Test series against England and then Karun Nair scored a triple-century in just his 3rd Test. It has always been a battle for Rohit, but it has never been this hard.
Wriddhiman Saha – 7.5
The man from Bengal is another who will be cursing his untimely injury. He played India’s first 9 Tests in the year, and maintained an average of over 40 with a century and two half-centuries. He was also handy behind the stumps, but the emergence of the younger(!!) Parthiv Patel has cast a doubt over his role in the squad.
Notable mentions
Parthiv Patel – 6.5
He has done a sterling job since his unlikely return to the Test squad and has shown a commitment to the squad by doing whatever is needed of him. His weakness remains his work behind the stumps, and his battle with Saha for a spot will be one of the stories of 2017.
Karun Nair – 303*
India had played 11 Tests before the final Test in Chennai, but towards the fag end of the year, the Jodhpur-born Karun Nair absolutely stole the show with an unbeaten 303, becoming only the second Indian to breach the 300-run barrier. He has given the selection committee all kinds of headaches for the coming year.
Ravichandran Ashwin – 10
Simply unreal year for the world’ s best all-rounder. He has been so impressive with the bat that it prompted his promotion to the #6 spot, ahead of the recognized wicket-keeper. He scored two hundreds in 2016, but he did the most damage with the ball.
He took 72 wickets at an average of 23.9 and perhaps most impressively, managed eight 5-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls. The greater challenges lie abroad for Ashwin, obviously.
Ravindra Jadeja – 9
Ravindra Jadeja is India’s silent assassin. While his all-action manner on the field sometimes led to people ridiculing his perfomances, 2016 was the year that he made it count with both the bat and ball. He is now a respected, senior member in the squad.
His batting got better as the year went on and his match-winning 10-wicket haul in Chennai was just reward for the unbelievable accuracy he displayed all year.
Mohammed Shami – 8
Shami handled the responsibility of being India’s pace spearhead superbly. Returning after a lenghty injury spell, a curse that has affected some of India’s most promising talents, Shami showed that he hadn’t skipped a beat as he bowled with great accuracy throughout.
Provided a couple of ‘highlight reel’ moments for the Indian fans as he destroyed the stumps on more than one ocassion. He would like to add a 5-wicket haul to his kitty in 2017.
Umesh Yadav – 6.5
Umesh Yadav showed plenty of promise in 2016 as he bowled his deadly pace in India. The future certainly looks bright for the speedster as he will only be more effective in pace-friendly tracks abroad in the future.
There were doubts over his consistency earlier in his career, but that was one part of his game he worked on in 2016. Has shown the ability to pick up a wicket when it is most needed for the team.
Ishant Sharma – 6.5
Ishant Sharma battled with injuries towards the end of the year, but did an admirable job whenever he was in the playing XI. He is India’ s most senior member in the bowling attack now, and with India’ s squad being so young, his experience helps.
He has a couple of seasons left in him and will be determined to cement a starting berth next year.
Notable mentions
Jayant Yadav – 8.5
An unbelievable find for the Indian cricket team, Jayant Yadav made waves with his performances in the three Tests against England. Showed that he has the temperament to back up an all-round game that makes him an amazing asset.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 7
Another one who battled with injuries throughout but was very impressive whenever he got the chance. He is India’s best swing bowler and will be determined to prove his worth further in 2017.
Amit Mishra – 4
Perphaps the player who will be most disappointed with his year will be Amit Mishra. With the addition of Anil Kumble to the team, Mishra was in a perfect position to cash in as India’s premier leg-spinner, something he failed to do.
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