Indian players rated and slated from their thrilling win to clinch series

02/25/2018

BCCI

India wrapped up the T20I series with a seven-run victory at the place where it all started to cap off the series on a high. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s excellent bowling was the main reason behind India’s victory, Suresh Raina was the star of the show with his sublime all-round performance.

Rohit Sharma (4/10): If there is an option of removing any series from the record books, then the stand-in skipper for the last match of the trip would surely ask the ICC to remove this one. After only one century in the tour, Sharma has failed to perform in the series big time and despite getting a good start today, he failed to make that count and got out for 11.

Shikhar Dhawan (7.5/10): I am still trying to think of a scratchier Dhawan innings than today. He failed in his pursuit to connect the ball well and believe it or not, he hit his first boundary after playing 29 balls. But after that, it was not that difficult for him to find boundaries. However, his running between the wickets – which, by no standard, is of international level – cost him the start and he was dismissed for 47.

Suresh Raina (8.5/10) : When life throws you chances, grab it like the way Raina did in the series. Although he couldn’t make a big contribution after getting starts in every match, his innings was useful as per the context of the game. He made his intentions clear by hitting Junior Dala for a six on the very first ball he faced, but more than that, he looked like he was in the zone and his 43 was as good as any T20 fifty. He also bowled three overs conceding 27 runs while managing to pick the wicket of David Miller.

Manish Pandey (4/10): If inconsistency ever needs an example to cite, Manish Pandey would surely put his hands up for it. After hitting a flawless 79 in the Centurion T20I, much was expected of him in the last game, but Pandey was Pandey. After hoicking Tabraiz Shamsi for a six in the very first ball he faced, he mistimed a Junior Dala delivery to get out for 13.

Hardik Pandya (6.5/10): Newlands witnessed Hardik Pandya’s coming of age in the first Test of the tour and in the last game of the gruelling tour, he signed off with a late flourish that was actually needed in the game. While some would say that he could hit the fifth gear instantly, never mind, he did his job and took India to a competitive total. With the ball, he was impressive in the middle-overs as well.

MS Dhoni (5/10) : Notwithstanding the brilliant innings in Centurion, it has become a writing on the wall that MSD is a spent force in the T20 cricket. He tried and he prodded and even decided to go aerial. But the eventual one that sent him back to the hut summed up the last one year of his batting – mistimed.

Dinesh Karthik (6/10): His arrival on the crease was as good as it could get. But filling the big shoes of Virat Kohli, DK had a much better job to do. However, it would be unfair to criticise him as there was hardly any overs left when he came to the crease.

Axar Patel (5/10) : While the left-arm skipper got only one ball to face and scored one run off that, he was not that great with the ball today. Despite being the only full-time bowler in the team, he couldn’t hold on to his reputation and conceded 16 runs in the first over.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (8.5/10) : There is a reason Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been considered as one of the best T20 bowlers of the generation. Bestowing with the responsibility of defending 19 runs in the last over, he used his slower balls and knuckle-ball to great effect to lead India to a 2-1 series victory. This was an effort he would surely have proud of.

Shardul Thakur (7/10) : Every young cricketer learns from their past mistakes and Thakur must have learnt a lesson or two from this match. While he was not outrightly bad with the ball, his wrong variations at the crucial stages of the game cost India runs that just might have cost them the game eventually.

Jasprit Bumrah (7/10) : Bumrah, the death bowler, has been much eulogised for his ability to bowl under pressure, but today, coming in to bowl the all-important 19 over, he couldn’t find the length right and ended up conceding as many as 16 runs that eased out a lot of pressure off the South African team.

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