It’s fair to say that 2016 was a very good year for Indian cricket.
Although there was disappointment when the Men in Blue crashed out of the ICC World T20 semi-finals, there was much joy for the Indian Test team as Virat Kohli’s men remained undefeated and ended the year as the number one ranked team in the world.
There were a lot of top individual performances from Indian cricketers this calendar year and here, we look at the best five.
VIRAT KOHLI – 82* vs AUSTRALIA, MOHALI, T20I
It’s no surprise that this list begins with a knock from Virat Kohli. The Delhi batsman had a spectacular year across all formats and proved to be the star at the World T20 as well.
In a must-win encounter against Australia, India were in trouble – having been restricted to 49/3 in under eight overs as they attempted to chase a target of 161. Kohli went on to build a decent partnership with Yuvraj Singh, before the Punjab batsman was dismissed for 21.
Still needing 67 runs to win from six overs, Kohli took charge and saw India home along with captain MS Dhoni. Kohli’s 82 unbeaten runs came from just 51 balls, which included nine fours and two sixes. He was named Man of the Match for his efforts, and would go on to win the Player of the Tournament accolade as well.
RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN – 13/140 vs NEW ZEALAND, INDORE, TEST
Just last week, Ravichandran Ashwin was named the ICC Cricketer of the Year and ICC Test Cricketer of the Year after a sensational year in which he excelled with ball and bat.
Although he put up many brilliant all-round performances, his best effort came against New Zealand at Indore. On a pitch that did not offer much support for bowlers, Ashwin picked up a 13-wicket match-haul – his best in Test cricket.
Ashwin finished with figures of 6/81 and 7/59 in the two innings as India won the match by 321 runs. The Tamil Nadu off-spinner was duly named Man of the Match and the Man of the Series.
Ravichandran Ashwin is the ICC Cricketer of the Year, winning the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy! Congratulations! #ICCAwards pic.twitter.com/OEEMK7GOda
— ICC (@ICC) December 22, 2016
VIRAT KOHLI – 235 vs ENGLAND, MUMBAI, TEST
When you see a batsman score a double century and his team put on an innings total of 631, your first instinct is that the pitch was an easy one to bat on. But that was hardly the case in the Test between India and England at Mumbai.
After England had put 400 on the board, Kohli stepped up to deliver one of his greatest knocks. The 28-year-old showed his class as he attacked the English spinners despite the surface offering a lot of turn and bounce.
Kohli scored 235 and was ably aided by Murali Vijay and Jayant Yadav – both of whom notched up centuries – during various parts of his innings. India would go on to win the game by an innings and 36 runs.
KARUN NAIR – 303* vs ENGLAND, CHENNAI, TEST
Karun Nair was brought into the Indian Test XI after injuries to Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma. He was thought of as a spot-gap replacement and his scores of 4 and 13 at Mohali and Mumbai meant that there weren’t much expectations from the Karnataka batsman.
Nair, though, had other ideas as he became just the second Indian batsman after Virender Sehwag to score a Test triple century in just the third innings of his international career. In a knock that lasted 381 deliveries and 565 minutes, Nair changed gears at will – slamming 32 fours and four sixes.
There were concerns that India’s batting prowess has reduced from the previous generation, but Nair’s knock was an indicator that Kohli’s men don’t have much to worry about, especially when it comes to bench strength.
Karun Nair after bringing up his triple century.
RAVINDRA JADEJA – 10/154 vs ENGLAND, CHENNAI, TEST
Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin are considered India’s most important players, but Ravindra Jadeja has been almost as crucial a member of the Test side since his return to the team last November.
Jadeja’s best performance in 2016, arguably the best of his career, came against England at Chennai. On a flat track that hardly had anything in it for the bowlers, Jadeja notched up his first 10-wicket match-haul in Test cricket.
The left-arm spinner was particularly impressive during England’s second innings, picking up career-best figures of 7/48. India would go on to win the match by an innings and 75 runs.
