Sportzwiki Year End Review 2016: A Dream Year For Team India

Dec 30, 2016 at 3:40 PM

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Sportzwiki Year End Review 2016: A Dream Year For Team India

It would not be wrong to assert that at this point in time, Team India looks in absolutely dominating shape. The performances put on display by the men in blue this year have been stupendous, to say the least as all boxes have been ticked. One aspect, though, that makes 2016 such a phenomenal year for the Indians lies in the fact that the youngsters have shouldered the responsibility with ease and grace and that undoubtedly been the most heartening aspect about this side.

The year began on a tad somber note for MS Dhoni’s unit as they were found wanting in Australia during the ODI series. A 4-1 loss meant a clear bashing endured by the side, but that definitely doesn’t reflect the entire picture. Throughout those 4 losses during the ODI series, the Indians stood second just due to a few moments that didn’t go their way. Otherwise, the batting personnel from India’s camp stood out in that series. India’s top three, comprising of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli proved their devastating ability yet again during the side’s tour of Down Under.

The three-match T20I series against the same opposition brought about a complete revival as the mix of experience and youth did the trick. Very rarely have the Australians looked so vulnerable in their own backyard and it was solely due to the Indian batsmen and spinners. India was so dominant in the three-match series that the Australians were whitewashed at home for the first time in the game’s history.

Speaking about positives, the find of that tour was none other than pacer Jasprit Bumrah. In the Gujarat pacer, India now has a more than reliable death bowler who can hit the block hole more often than not. Ravindra Jadeja’s return to the shorter forms too was a successful move as he proved to be an ideal folly for R. Ashwin.

A 2-1 series victory over Sri Lanka was a cakewalk at home as despite resting Virat Kohli, the Indians seemed in no discomfort barring a minor glitch at Pune. R. Ashwin stood out in that series with his spectacular run of form decimating the Sri Lankans. The sweet moment for the Indians though, stood in a cent percent win record in the 2016 T20 Asia Cup as MS Dhoni became the first Indian captain to lift Asia’s crown twice. The dominance asserted by India during the Asia Cup was second to none.

The World T20 might not have gone India’s way as the hosts crashed out after a heart-breaking loss in the semi-final to eventual champions West Indies. It was precisely a case of so near yet so far as Virat Kohli’s heroics throughout that tournament went in vein. The knock played by Kohli against Australia at Mohali in the World T20 stands out among the greatest T20 knocks of all time as he single-handedly got India past the line. In so many ways, did that knock from Kohli remind viewers of Sachin Tendulkar during the 1990’s. With 15 victories in 21 T20Is, it’s a no-brainer to state that India ruled this format despite not winning the World T20.

Coming to ODIs, it was a decent year as a 3-2 series win over New Zealand at home offered some respite. More than anything else, it was MS Dhoni’s first significant ODI series victory, notwithstanding Zimbabwe series, since 2014 and that had its weight in gold. From the batting front, once again the workhorse Virat Kohli stood out with over 300 runs in 5 games. But the Man of the Series was leg-spinner Amit Mishra for his 15 wickets. With the second string players like Amit Mishra, Kedar Jadhav doing so well, it has simply strengthened India’s bench strength massively. For the upcoming ODI series against England to follow, one can expect intense competition for the slots in the playing XI.

But the format which proved India’s rule at the cricketing box office was Test cricket. With 9 victories in 12 test matches, no team stood even close to India’s sheer audacity and it makes them the deserving candidates for the Test mace. Virat Kohli led his unit like an absolute lion as his tactical changes stood out in all games.

Along with Kohli, India’s most valuable player was R. Ashwin, who stood at as the leading all-rounder in world cricket. With 235 runs and 17 wickets in the series against West Indies, Ashwin stamped his dominance for the first time in tests outside Asian shores. Ashwin yet again ruled the roost as his heroics helped India whitewash New Zealand at home in a three-match series.

Wounds from the series defeat to England in 2012 were fresh and scores had to be settled. Skipper Virat Kohli took the onus upon himself to do that as he amassed 655 runs in 5 tests to demolish the English bowlers. Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin shared 530 runs and 54 wickets among themselves as the duo proved to be England’s assassins in the series. A resounding 4-0 victory over England has given India a complete lead over other test sides.

2016 was undoubtedly India’s best year since 2013, as the men in blue discovered promising new talent. The likes of Hardik Pandya, Karun Nair, Jayant Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah have emerged to the scene in some style as all the newcomers now await an extremely bright future with the team.

All in all, this was a completely breakthrough year for the Indians and now with the ICC Champions Trophy lined up for 2017, they seem in great shape to defend their title. From the Test front, everything is picture perfect.

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