In the high-stakes cauldron of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), partnerships are the heartbeat of resilience. While explosive centuries and five-wicket hauls often hog the headlines, it’s the quiet, dogged alliances in the middle that truly shape matches. Some of these stands didn’t end in personal milestones, nor did they always culminate in victory. Yet, their importance lay in the context of grinding out draws, frustrating lethal bowling attacks, or dragging teams from the brink of collapse. Here’s a tribute to the Top 5 Most Underrated Partnerships in WTC History, unsung duos who stood tall when their teams needed it the most.
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 low-scoring decider, this partnership was gold. Mayers counter-attacked with flair, but it was Da Silva’s gritty 100* that stood out for its maturity. Together, they ensured the West Indies took a crucial lead and then dismantled England in the second innings. The stand was the series-defining moment, yet it flew under the radar in mainstream discourse.
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
Bazball grabbed attention for its aggression, but this stand was a reminder that even in hyper-attacking mode, control and smart play matter. Pope was fluent, but Foakes was the glue, managing the tail and ensuring England got a defendable lead on a flat Rawalpindi track. It was the pivot around which England’s bold declaration and eventual victory were made possible.
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 was not just about runs, it was about nerve. Against a relentless Indian attack featuring Bumrah, Shami, and Ashwin, van der Dussen and Bavuma stitched together a match-turning partnership in the chase. They took blows, absorbed pressure, and showed incredible mental fortitude. South Africa eventually chased down the target and drew level in the series.
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 just 117 ahead and half the side back in the pavilion, this partnership changed the game. It wasn’t flashy, it was survival mixed with sharp counter-attacks. Chandimal’s 94 and DDS’s composure allowed Sri Lanka to stretch the lead past 400, eventually setting Pakistan an impossible target. It helped Sri Lanka stay alive in the WTC race.
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
While Rahane scored a match-winning century and grabbed the headlines, it was his partnership with Jadeja that blunted the Australian pace trio. Their calmness on a spicy MCG track rebuilt India’s innings brick by brick. Jadeja’s 57 was as vital as Rahane’s 112, and their stand set up one of India’s greatest comeback victories after the 36 all-out debacle in Adelaide.
Final Thoughts
These partnerships may not dominate highlight reels or statistical charts, but their importance is etched in the narrative of Test cricket. In the World Test Championship, a format where every session counts, they proved that survival, resilience, and game awareness often matter more than fireworks. These unsung duos quietly carried their teams when the chips were down, and for that, they deserve their moment in the sun.
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