WTC Era’s Top 5 Most Underrated Partnerships

In the pressure-cooker environment of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), partnerships often define the true grit of a team. While centuries and five-wicket hauls steal the spotlight, it’s the quiet, determined stands between two batters that often shift the momentum. These partnerships may not have produced headline-grabbing milestones or led directly to victory, but their value lay in defying world-class bowling, salvaging impossible situations, or steering their sides toward safety. This is a salute to the Top 5 Most Underrated Partnerships in WTC History—unsung duos who held firm when everything seemed to be falling apart.

Let`s take a look at the WTC Era’s Top 5 Most Underrated Partnerships:

5. Kyle Mayers & Joshua Da Silva – 96 Runs vs England, Grenada 2022

• WTC Cycle: 2021–23
• Wicket: 6th
• Match Result: West Indies won by 10 wickets
• Context: Windies were 128/5 replying to England’s 204

In a tense, low-scoring series decider, this partnership proved to be pure gold. Kyle Mayers brought the counter-attacking flair, but it was Joshua Da Silva’s composed, unbeaten 100 that anchored the innings with remarkable maturity. Their stand not only secured a vital first-innings lead for the West Indies but also laid the foundation for a dominant win as they went on to dismantle England in the second innings. Despite its decisive impact, this game-changing alliance slipped under the radar in most discussions—earning its rightful place among the WTC Era’s Top 5 Most Underrated Partnerships.

4. Ben Foakes & Ollie Pope – 173 Runs vs Pakistan, Rawalpindi 2022

• WTC Cycle: 2021–23
• Wicket: 6th
• Match Result: England won by 74 runs
• Context: England’s second innings was losing momentum after a flurry of wickets

While Bazball captured headlines with its fearless aggression, this partnership quietly reminded the cricketing world that control, composure, and intelligent batting still hold immense value. Ollie Pope played with fluency, but it was Ben Foakes who held the innings together—expertly managing the tail and guiding England to a defendable total on a flat, lifeless Rawalpindi pitch. Their stand was the quiet pivot around which England’s bold declaration and eventual historic win revolved. A key moment too easily overlooked, it firmly belongs among the WTC Era’s Top 5 Most Underrated Partnerships.

3. Rassie van der Dussen & Temba Bavuma – 204 Runs vs India, Johannesburg 2022

• WTC Cycle: 2021–23
• Wicket: 4th
• Match Result: South Africa won by 7 wickets
• Context: Chasing 240 against India on a spicy pitch

This partnership wasn’t just about accumulating runs—it was a masterclass in resilience under fire. Facing a fierce Indian attack led by Bumrah, Shami, and Ashwin, Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma held their nerve in a tense fourth-innings chase. They absorbed relentless pressure, took body blows, and showcased remarkable mental toughness to shift the momentum. Their stand proved pivotal as South Africa successfully chased down the target and leveled the series—an effort that deserved far more recognition. Undoubtedly, it earns its place among the WTC Era’s Top 5 Most Underrated Partnerships.

2. Dinesh Chandimal & Dhananjaya de Silva – 99 Runs vs Pakistan, Galle 2022

• WTC Cycle: 2021–23
• Wicket: 6th
• Match Result: Sri Lanka won by 246 runs
• Context: SL were in danger of folding cheaply in the second innings

With Sri Lanka teetering at just 117 ahead and five wickets down, this partnership completely altered the course of the match. It wasn’t about flair—it was a blend of gritty survival and well-timed counter-attacks. Dinesh Chandimal’s crucial 94, combined with Dhananjaya de Silva’s calm presence, helped push the lead beyond 400 and left Pakistan chasing shadows. The stand not only turned a precarious position into dominance but also kept Sri Lanka’s WTC hopes alive. A game-defining moment that went largely unnoticed, it rightly earns a spot in the WTC Era’s Top 5 Most Underrated Partnerships.

1. Ajinkya Rahane & Ravindra Jadeja – 121 Runs vs Australia, Melbourne 2020

• WTC Cycle: 2019–21
• Wicket: 6th
• Match Result: India won by 8 wickets
• Context: India was reeling at 173/5 replying to Australia’s 195

Ajinkya Rahane rightfully earned praise for his match-winning century at the MCG, but it was his partnership with Ravindra Jadeja that laid the foundation for India’s remarkable turnaround. On a lively, testing pitch, the duo soaked up pressure from Australia’s fierce pace trio with poise and patience. Jadeja’s gritty 57 was the perfect foil to Rahane’s composed 112, as they rebuilt the innings with discipline and intent. Their stand not only stabilized India but also set the stage for one of the most iconic comebacks after the humiliation in Adelaide. A crucial yet underrated effort, it firmly belongs in the WTC Era’s Top 5 Most Underrated Partnerships.

Conclusion

They may not light up the highlight reels or top the statistical charts, but these partnerships are woven deep into the fabric of Test cricket’s finest battles. In the high-stakes World Test Championship, where every session can tilt the balance, these stands showed that grit, patience, and awareness often trump sheer brilliance. When their teams were on the brink, these unsung duos stood tall—silently shaping outcomes with determination and heart. It’s time they get their due, as we celebrate the WTC Era’s Top 5 Most Underrated Partnerships.

Read More: Top 5 Test Matches That Changed a Captain’s Career

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