New Delhi: The year 2021 saw a lot of thrilling moments in Test cricket. Along with the batters, even the bowlers succeeded in showcasing brilliant performances. First-ever World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand was also held this year, in which the Kiwis emerged victorious. This year, England played cricket against India both at home and away. If we look at the bowling performance in Test cricket this year, both spinners and fast bowlers have got great success.
Here's the list of five bowlers who took the most Test wickets in the year 2021:
1. Ravichandran Ashwin: The senior spinner did not play a single match on India's Test tour of England earlier this year. However, he did wonders with his bowling whenever he got the chance. When England toured India for a four-match Test series, Ashwin took the most wickets. He took 32 wickets in 4 matches at an average of 14.72. He took three five-wicket hauls during the series. Overall, Ashwin has managed to take the most wickets by any bowler in Test cricket in 2021. He has so far taken 52 Test wickets in 8 matches in 2021.
2. Shaheen Afridi: This year Pakistan played Test series against West Indies, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Bangladesh. Shaheen Afridi bowled brilliantly in all the series. On the tour of West Indies, Shaheen took 18 wickets in just 2 matches. He took the most wickets by any fast bowler in the year 2021. The speedster has played 9 Tests this year, taking 47 wickets at an average of 17.06.
3. Hasan Ali: Pakistan's Hasan Ali bowled brilliantly in Test cricket this year. He was the highest wicket-taker in the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe. He took 14 wickets in 2 Tests, in which he took five wickets twice. He was also the highest wicket-taker in the Test series against South Africa. Hasan took 12 wickets in just 2 Tests. Against West Indies, the Pakistan pacer took 6 wickets in 2 Tests. Overall, Hasan Ali has managed to take 41 wickets in 8 Tests in 2021.
4. Axar Patel: The young spinner impressed everyone with his bowling this year. He performed brilliantly against the English team and New Zealand. Axar Patel has been fourth in terms of taking most wickets in Test cricket in 2021. In 5 Tests, he took 36 wickets at an average of 11.86. During this, he bagged five wicket-haul five times.
5. Ollie Robinson: English all-rounder Ollie Robinson has done wonders with the bat and ball this year. Along with this, he also remained in controversy after his old racist tweets resurfaced. He took 35 wickets in 7 tests for England this year at an average of 20.54. During this, he attained two five-wicket hauls. This year Robinson finished fifth in the list of bowlers with the most wickets in Test cricket.