2016: A year to remember for Indian cricket
Indian cricket's win percentage in the year 2016 touched 70 in all the formats. With an unbeaten run in the tests, reaching semi-finals of World T20, clinching the Asia Cup title, white-washing New Zealand 3-0 and then a 4-0 win against England, India reached the pinnacle of success as 2016 ended. Let us have a look at some amazing moments Indian cricket had.
India's triumph at the Asia Cup
For the first time, the Asia Cup was held in the Twenty20 format for men while it was second T20 tournament for the women cricketers. Indian men's team lifted their 6th Asia Cup title after defeating hosts Bangladesh in the finals. In December, the women's team lifted their sixth consecutive Asia Cup title after they defeated arch rivals Pakistan in the finals at Malaysia.
India's success at the T20 and Under-19 World Cup
India's men's team reached the semi-finals of ICC World T20, only to be beaten by West Indies even after putting 192 runs on board. Likewise, the Under-19 Indian boys were handed a loss by the West Indian side in the finals of Under-19 World Cup.
India's record breaking year in tests
After the first-half of 2016 was packed with ODIs and T20s, India played their first test in July in West Indies, where they won the four match series 2-0. Then came the New Zealand series, where India white-washed the visitors 3-0, winning their 500th test match and 250th test at home. England series had a similar result, with India winning five match series 4-0.
India back to number one in tests
India dethroned Pakistan to reclaim the top spot in the ICC Test Rankings after winning second test match against New Zealand in Kolkata, which was the host's 250th test match at home.
Top players of the year
Test skipper Virat Kohli led India in three series wins, with him scoring 1215 runs and hitting four centuries at an average of 75.93. Ravichandran Ashwin amassed 72 wickets in 12 test matches and also became the fastest Indian to pick 200 career wickets. One of the most remarkable performances was put up by Karun Nair, who scored 303-runs against England at Chennai.
Ashwin named 'ICC Player of the Year'
Ravichandran Ashwin won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy after he was named the '2016 ICC Player of the Year.' He was also named the ICC Test Player of the Year. Ashwin finished on the top spot of ICC test all rounders and bowlers rankings.
India cricket management's poor performance off the field
Indian cricket witnessed one of the most bitter controversies in 2016: the BCCI-Lodha Panel Battle. Appointed by the Supreme Court of India, Lodha Panel came up with reforms to make the working of Board of Control for Cricket in India transparent. Supreme Court intervened after board declined to accept the reforms and the SC is scheduled to give its judgement on 3 January 2017.
