The Positives and the Downsides for the Indian Test Team in 2018

2. The strength of the middle-order

Pujara and Kohli - India's most successful batting pair in 2018

The Indian middle-order led by their Captain Virat Kohli stood out to quality bowling attacks in challenging overseas conditions. Both Kohli and Pujara were outstanding right through the year while Ajinkya Rahane was not far behind.

Kohli is the leading run-scorer for the year with 1322 runs, scoring 5 hundred and 5 fifties at an average of 55. Pujara is fourth on the list with 837 runs and 3 hundreds. Ajinkya Rahane, who was not in the best of form, did the supporting role to perfection with 644 runs to his name.

It was the partnerships in the middle-order that enabled India to put runs on the board for the fast bowlers to play with. The middle-order contribution was vital in India achieving 4 overseas wins in the year.

Rahane too contributed along with Pujara

In Johannesburg, Kohli and Pujara scored fifties in that low-scoring match. At Nottingham, Kohli came up with scores of 97 and 103 while Rahane made 81 in the first innings and Pujara 72 in the second innings.

Pujara scored 123 and 71 at Adelaide while Rahane contributed with 70. In Melbourne, it was once again the turn of Pujara (106) and Kohli (82) to come good on the first day for India to guide India to a formidable first innings score of 443.

The performances of the Indian middle-order, especially that of Kohli and Pujara, were instrumental in some of India’s memorable Test wins in 2018.