The World Test Championship (WTC) era has ushered in a new chapter of high-stakes Test cricket, where every session, every century, and every collapse can shift the balance of a two-year-long race. While match-winning performances usually grab headlines, there’s a parallel narrative that often goes unnoticed of the lone warriors, whose masterclass with the bat came in losing causes. These performances, though buried under the weight of defeat, reflect grit, class, and an unyielding will to fight.
This list revisits the top 5 most underrated batting displays in the WTC era (2019–2025) that deserved far more limelight, not for the result they yielded, but for the heart and technique they showcased under fire.
5. Rishabh Pant – 97 vs Australia, Sydney (2021)
Match Result: Draw
Why It Stands Out:
Though technically not a loss, India were staring down the barrel when Pant walked in. Chasing 407, he turned the game on its head with a whirlwind 97 off 118 balls, putting the fear of an improbable Indian win in Aussie hearts. His shot-making was audacious and breathtaking. The match ended in a draw, but Pant’s innings was as influential as a ton and perhaps even more impactful.
4. Marnus Labuschagne – 111 vs India, Brisbane (2021)
Match Result: Australia lost by 3 wickets
Why It Stands Out:
In a match famous for India’s Gabba heist, Labuschagne’s classy 111 on Day 1 helped Australia post a solid total. He looked a class apart even as others faltered, unfurling confident drives and resisting a relentless Indian pace attack. Yet, once India scripted history, Labuschagne’s contribution faded into the background of a larger fairytale.
3. Ollie Pope – 145 vs India, Edgbaston (2022 WTC cycle)
Match Result: England lost by 151 runs
Why It Stands Out:
Pope’s counterattacking 145 in the first innings was overshadowed by India’s all-round brilliance. On a pitch where most batters struggled against Bumrah and Shami, Pope’s strokeplay against pace and spin alike was sublime. His footwork against Jadeja and fluency off the back foot stood out, but England’s second-innings collapse put a lid on his sparkling effort.
2. Babar Azam – 196 vs Australia, Karachi (2022)
Match Result: Draw (but moral defeat for Australia after dominance)
Why It Stands Out:
Though the match ended in a draw, it felt like a win for Pakistan due to Babar’s marathon 196 off 425 balls. Chasing 506 to win or bat out nearly two days, Babar played one of the greatest fourth-innings knocks in Test history, showing patience, elegance, and defiance. Pakistan avoided defeat solely because of its resolve, and yet the innings didn’t receive the widespread acclaim it deserved globally.
1. Dimuth Karunaratne – 103 vs South Africa, Centurion (2020)
Match Result: Sri Lanka lost by an innings and 45 runs
Why It Stands Out:
Karunaratne’s fluent 103 came on a fiery Centurion pitch against Rabada and Ngidi at their ruthless best. The top-order collapsed around him, but the Lankan captain stood tall with near-perfect technique and timing, crafting a century that was both graceful and gritty. Unfortunately, with no support and a depleted bowling attack, his heroics were buried under South Africa’s dominance.
Quick Recap Table
| Rank | Player | Score | Opponent | Venue | Match Result | Notable Aspect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dimuth Karunaratne | 103 | South Africa | Centurion | Lost by innings | Lone stand on a brutal pitch |
| 2 | Babar Azam | 196 | Australia | Karachi | Draw (Australia dominant) | 10-hour vigil saving the match |
| 3 | Ollie Pope | 145 | India | Edgbaston | Lost by 151 runs | Classy innings against world-class bowling |
| 4 | Marnus Labuschagne | 111 | India | Brisbane | Lost by 3 wickets | Gabba ton lost in India’s historic chase |
| 5 | Rishabh Pant | 97 | Australia | Sydney | Draw | 10-hour vigil to save the match |
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