5 most epic Test innings of 2018

2018 was the year when the Test batsmen around the world were constantly tested. It was this year when the away conditions became more hostile for visitors and drawn Tests were in minority. Quality batsmen rose to new heights in these challenging circumstances and we saw memorable performances time and again.

The fabulous four lost one of their batsman, Steve Smith, to well-known reasons for this year. However, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Joe Root dished out spectacular knocks. Cheteshwar Pujara, Henry Nicholls, Dimuth Karunaratne, Usman Khawaja, Kusal Mendis were amongst the other batsmen who played quite a few exhilarating knocks.

To select only five of these performances is an arduous task. However, considering the match situation, the background of the teams, pitch conditions and opposition, these are five individuals batting performance in Test cricket which will stand out over the years.

#5 Cheteshwar Pujara’s fighting 132 at Southampton

Cheteshwar Pujara

India was hoping for a reversal of fortunes leading into the fourth Test match at Southampton. With a victory at Nottingham, India was back in the contention at the series scoreline of 2-1.

At Southampton, England, batted first and with Sam Curran’s 78 reached 246 all out. India had a chance to seize the advantage.

After customary failure from the openers, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara started the rebuilding process. On a personal level, this was an important inning for Pujara. India’s most dependable number three was kept out of the first Test against England, and he had to prove his credentials here. While Pujara secured one end, India collapsed from 142/2 to 195/8 after Virat’s dismissal.

Going against the instincts, Pujara decided to shift gears. He was 78 off 165 balls when India lost its eighth wicket. In the next 92 balls, the Saurashtra batsman added 54 runs and helped India secure a lead of 27 runs from a desperate situation. India in their fourth innings capitulated while chasing 245 runs and lost the Test but Pujara gained acclaim with his scintillating knock.

#4 Joe Root and his series-winning 124 against Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka v England: Second Test - Day Three

The English captain had a tough year with the bat. He enjoyed starts but failed to convert them into the hundreds while Kohli and Williamson ran unhindered. Root finally scored a century in the fifth Test against India but he had to prove his form in Sri Lanka where the English team headed next.

Sri Lankan spin legend Rangana Herath had retired by the second Test match but the hosts still had the spin troika of Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya and Malinda Pushpakumara. In the second inning, England trailed by 46 runs. Joe Root walked out to bat at 77/2 with a crystal clear strategy and mindset. He was going to sweep come what may.

Batting with supreme confidence, Root launched a ferocious counter-attack, despite wickets falling at the other end. By the time he was out LBW, Root had plundered 124 runs in 146 balls with 10 fours and two sixes. England had crossed the 300-run mark when the Captain was dismissed and were in safe waters. English spinners later wrapped up the Sri Lankan batting lineup to hand their side a 57-run victory.

Joe Root was rightly adjudged Man of the Match for the series-winning knock.

#3 Usman Khawaja’s match-saving 141 against Pakistan at Dubai

Usman Khawaja

Australia, without its two premier batsmen in David Warner and Steven Smith, arrived in the UAE with little hope of winning. Their batting was perceived to be as fragile as chinaware and the unit was deemed to be Australia’s worst touring party in years. In such hostile circumstances, Usman Khawaja’s battling 141 is scarcely believable.

In the first Test of the series, Pakistan slow-walked to a total of 482 in 164.2 overs. The Dubai track was termed lifeless but the perception changed when Australian completed their innings. The visitors had marched to 142/0 before they collapsed spectacularly to 202 all out. Pakistan refused to enforce the follow-on and gave Australian batting 140 overs to save the Test.

It was never going to happen. The signs were clear when Australia once again stumbled from 87/0 to 87/3. However, Khawaja and Head held different opinions. Khawaja, in particular, confronted his demons of the subcontinental tracks and played the innings of his life.

His vigil against Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif and Mohammad Abbas on a deteriorating track lasted 522 minutes. Khawaja’s 141 from 302 balls backed up by Tim Paine’s 61 from 220 balls helped Australia earn a draw against all odds.

In the sapping UAE heat, Khawaja demonstrated unreal grit and determination to squeeze out a draw which was nothing short of a win for Australia.

#2 Kane Williamson’s gem of a 139 versus Pakistan at Abu Dhabi

Kane Williamson

The series between New Zealand and Pakistan was tied at 1-1 with one Test match to go. In the third Test at Abu Dhabi, visitors chose to bat first. Kiwi Captain Kane Williamson top-scored with 89 in team’s first inning total of 276. Pakistan responded with 348 all out and gained a significant lead of 72 runs.

Hosts sensed a kill on the fourth day when they had reduced New Zealand to 60/4. However, the Blackcaps were no mood to accept defeat. Kane Williamson lead from the front and taking Henry Nicholls for a company, he mounted an extraordinary defence. Williamson batted through the whole of the fourth day without a lapse in the concentration.

The marathon 'Captain’s knock' ended on the first ball of the fifth day as Williamson went back for 139 from 283 runs. New Zealand added a quick few runs and later skittled Pakistan for 156 to clinch a 2-1 series win.

Williamson was deservedly the Man of the Match for his stellar effort.

#1 Virat Kohli’s magnum opus of 149 at Birmingham

Virat Kohli

2018 was the year of Virat Kohli. The Indian batsman was tested in severe foreign conditions of South Africa, England and Australia and he has passed with flying colours. Kohli was the leading batsman in South Africa, but the English challenge was more daunting. In 2014 tour, Kohli had suffered at the hands of James Anderson and his technical prowess was doubted.

With the baggage of the past, Kohli arrived on the English shores with Anderson and Broad waiting for him, two of the finest Test bowlers in their home conditions and on their home ground but Kohli relished the intimidating challenge. In the first Test, India was 59/3 while chasing England’s first inning total of 287.

Virat stood tall at one end while England unleashed pace barrage in form of Anderson, Broad, Curran and Stokes. Fuelled by his past failures, Kohli fought fire with fire. He overtook his 2014-15 series tally of 134 runs in just one inning. The batsmen walked back when Rashid dismissed him for 149 from 225 balls. In the fourth innings, India chased 194 runs for a win. Virat once again top-scored with 51 runs but could not avert the loss.

Virat has scored five Test centuries this year but his 149 remains the pinnacle of his technique and patience. It is the best batting performance of this year.