3 of the best knocks played by Indian batsmen in Tests in 2019

The year 2019 has been a riveting one for Indian cricket. The Indian team has strengthened its position as the best Test side in the world with some wonderful performances both at home and abroad. The year started with India defeating Australia in a Test Series for the first time in the Kangaroos’ own backyard. The fourth Test in Sydney, and the first of this year for India ended in a draw, which meant that the young brigade under skipper Virat Kohli had trumped the Aussies and won the Test series 2-1.

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India then embarked on a tour to the West Indies for a two-Test series. The West Indies were thrashed in both the Tests, as India took the series 2-0. South Africa then came to India for a three-Test series, and were whitewashed by the Indian team. This year ended with India featuring in their first ever Day-Night Test at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium. India thrashed Bangladesh in their final Test of the year by an innings and 46 runs to round off an incredible year for the Indian team in whites.

This year has also seen the arrival of Rohit Sharma as a Test opener. Rohit smashed two hundreds in his first Test as opener to announce his arrival in style. Mayank Agarwal too, cemented his place in the side with some solid performances with the bat.

In this article, let us look at three best knocks played by Indian batsmen in 2019 in Tests.

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#3. Mayank Agarwal- 215 Vs South Africa

Agarwal marked his first Test in India as an opener with a classic double hundred.

Mayank Agarwal marked his first Test in India as an opener with a classic double hundred against the Proteas at Vishakhapatnam. The stylish opening batsman combined caution with aggression and smashed 215, his first double century in Tests, to help India thrash South Africa by 203 runs.

In his 371-ball stay, Agarwal smashed 23 fours and six sixes to flatten the South African bowling attack with dexterous drives and sumptuous flicks. His opening partnership of 317 runs with Rohit Sharma enabled India to push South Africa out of the game.

Rohit Sharma.

#2. Rohit Sharma- 212 Vs South Africa

Rohit announced to the world that he was indeed here to stay as an opener in whites in 2019.

Rohit Sharma’s return to Test cricket was long overdue. ’The Hitman’ was in surreal form with the bat in white-ball cricket, and it was only a matter of time before Rohit got the chance to prove his worth in white flannels. And, he did it in style, by marking his first Test as opener with two hundreds.

It was in the next Test however, that Rohit again showcased to the world what a gifted player he is. At the JSCA international stadium in Ranchi, Rohit blasted his way to 212, off just 255 balls studded with 28 fours and 6 sixes and just blew away the South African bowling attack. His knock allowed India to pummel the opposition by an innings and 202 runs. With this knock, Rohit announced to the world that he was indeed here to stay as an opener in white flannels for a long time to come.

#1. Virat Kohli- 254 Vs South Africa

Watching Virat Kohli at his pristine best is like watching a magician at his peak

Watching Virat Kohli at his pristine best is like watching a magician at the peak of his powers. The Indian captain uses the bat in his hand like a sorcerer, and conjures shots of ethereal beauty right out of the coaching manual. And, against South Africa at Pune, Kohli produced another masterclass, a 254-run marvel studded with 33 fours and two sixes.

The South African bowling attack too, might have secretly admired the way Kohli went about his business on that day. In his 336-ball stay, the Indian skipper was flawless. The cover drives rocketed out of the middle of the bat with precision, his supple wrists sent the ball past mid-wicket with ease, and his straight drives were a feast for the eyes. And in the process, Kohli notched up his 7th double hundred in Tests, the most by an Indian batsman.