2021 was a year where the focal point of the cricket universe was T20 cricket. The reason behind that was the back-to-back T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022. Australia emerged as the winners of the T20 World Cup 2021, and now they will host the T20 World Cup 2022. ODI cricket was not the focal point.
However, there were many interesting things that happened in the ODI arena in the year 2021. Multiple records were broken, and here’s a list of the top five records that were broken in 2021.
1. India surpassed Australia on an all-time list
India battled neighbors Sri Lanka in a 3-match ODI series with a B team. Shikhar Dhawan captained the team, and the Men in Blue recorded a 2-1 win. During that series, India made a new record for the most wins by a team against another team in ODI cricket. They beat Sri Lanka for the 93rd time and surpassed Australia who have 92 ODI wins against New Zealand.
2. England made 11 changes to their ODI team
It is very rare to see a team even making seven or eight changes to their playing XI in international cricket. However, because of COVID-19, England had to make 11 changes to their team for the ODI series against Pakistan. Interestingly, England still managed to win by 3-0.
3. Babar Azam became the fastest to 13 ODI centuries
Babar Azam was in fantastic form in ODI matches played in 2021. During the first ODI against South Africa, he registered his 13rd century in the one-day international format in 76 innings and broke Virat Kohli and Hashim Amla’s record.
4. Fakhar Zaman broke Shane Watson’s record
During the same series, Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman played an incredible inning of 193 runs against South Africa. He set a new record for the highest individual score by a batter in the second innings of a one-day international. The previous was Shane Watson with 185. However, his knock could not help Pakistan win.
5. Krunal Pandya smashed the fastest fifty on debut
India’s Krunal Pandya made his one-day international debut against England in Pune. He smacked a 50 off just 26 balls and broke John Morris’ record for a 35-ball 50 on one-day international debut.
