India succumbed to a 2-1 series defeat after three Tests against South Africa – here are the player ratings for the visitors.
KL Rahul : 6/10
226 runs @ 37.66, HS: 123
The opener faced 545 balls in the series, the most by any India batter. He started the series with a fine hundred and scored 50 in the first innings at Johannesburg. He also captained the side in the absence of Virat Kohli in the second Test. However, he tapered off towards the end, making 8, 12 and 10 in his last three innings.
Mayank Agarwal: 3/10
135 runs @ 22.50, HS: 60
Mayank was impressive in the first Test, scoring a fighting 60 in 123 balls but managed a combined 75 runs in the next five innings. He faced 138 deliveries following his vigil at Centurion, and India would have wanted more from him in the absence of Rohit Sharma.
Cheteshwar Pujara: 2.5/10
124 runs @ 20.66, HS: 53
The pressure intensifies on Pujara after what was another below-par showing from him. Though the No.3 scored 43 at Cape Town after a 53 at Johannesburg, he was far too inconsistent. He failed to blunt out the attack, as has become his role over the years, which put pressure on the Indian batters to follow.
Ajinkya Rahane: 2.5/10
136 runs @ 22.66, HS: 58
The senior pro failed to live up to the backing that he received, making one fifty in six innings. He failed to cross double figures thrice and was a major letdown considering his experience.
Hanuma Vihari: 6/10
60 runs @ 60, HS: 40*
Vihari was given just one match in the series, but he showed just why he can be the next player to take on the role in the middle order. After making 20 in the first innings in the second Test, Vihari impressed with an unbeaten 40 off 84 after the team had lost four wickets for 29 runs, to help India eventually post 266 on the board.
Virat Kohli: 5.5/10
161 runs @ 40.25, HS: 79
Kohli’s aggression during the third Test may make bigger headlines, but his batting in the match deserves praise too. He was restrained, did not go after the balls outside off stump, and top-scored with 79 in the first innings, missing out on his much-awaited hundred as he ran out of partners. His 143-ball 29 in the second innings allowed Rishabh Pant to go after his shots.
Rishabh Pant: 6.5/10
186 runs @ 37.20, HS: 100*
The wicketkeeper gets an extra point for his knock in the second innings at Cape Town, in which the next best score by an India batter was 29. After getting flak for his lack of responsibility and for getting out off rash shots in the first two games, Pant showed his temperament with a fluent knock to give an indication of his potential. He was also impressive with the gloves, picking up a total of 13 catches.
Ravichandran Ashwin: 2.5/10
89 runs @ 14.83, HS: 46
3 wickets @ 60.66, BBI: 2-55
Ashwin, promoted up to No.7 in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, was a letdown with the bat, playing unnecessary shots when staying at the wicket was the need of the hour. Ashwin the bowler did not face much success either, picking up only three wickets in 64.1 overs.
Shardul Thakur: 5.5/10
59 runs @ 9.83, HS: 28
12 wickets @ 19.08, BBI: 7-61
Thakur was unable to impress with the bat but was the joint second highest wicket-taker for India. However, he lacked penetration in the third Test.
Jasprit Bumrah: 8/10
12 wickets @ 23.41, BBI: 5-42
Bumrah was once again the highlight in an overseas Test series for India. He was aggressive, quick, and bowled the right spots over after over, maintaining a formidable new ball partnership with Mohammed Shami.
Mohammed Shami: 8/10
14 wickets @ 21, BBI: 5-44
Like Bumrah, one of the biggest positives from the series. His strike rate of 43.7 was the second-best among India bowlers in the series, after Thakur’s 36.4.
Mohammed Siraj: 3/10
3 wickets @ 51, BBI: 2-47
The youngster was not able to control his line and lengths and was expensive in the two games that he played.
Umesh Yadav: 1/10
2 wickets @ 50, BBI: 2/64
Playing over Ishant Sharma in the third Test following Siraj’s injury, Umesh was expected to raise his game, but failed to continue the pressure that had been built by Bumrah and Shami.
