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India v Australia 2022/23

Marks out of 10: Player ratings for India after Australia T20Is

by Wisden Staff 3 minute read

India came from behind to seal the three-match T20I series against Australia 2-1 — here is how the host players fared.

*Rishabh Pant played one match but did not bat, so has not been considered.

KL Rahul: 5/10

66 runs @ 22, SR: 146.66, HS: 55

Rahul returned to form with a fine 35-ball 55 in the opener, which included a couple of extraordinary flicks for sixes. In the second game, an eight-over-a-side clash, he made 10 in six balls when quick runs were the need of the hour. He failed to get going in the third T20I but will be pleased with how the series panned out.

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Rohit Sharma: 7/10

74 runs @ 37, SR: 172.09, HS: 46*

Rohit has been taking more risks inside the Powerplay since the T20 World Cup last year. That was on display in the second clash. India had to chase 91 in eight overs, and Rohit slammed 46* in only 20 balls with four sixes at a strike rate of 230. His captaincy sees him lose a point, though. He was visibly flustered in the first game that India lost, and his bowling changes remained questionable.

Virat Kohli: 4.5/10

76 runs @ 25.33, SR: 124.59, HS: 63

Playing his first series after his 71st international hundred, Kohli was unable to keep up the form, and was bamboozled by old nemesis Adam Zampa in the first two T20Is. However, he came back strongly in the last clash when India were set 187. After the loss of early wickets, Kohli looked to bat through the innings alongside Suryakumar Yadav. Though he struggled in the middle overs, he never let the asking rate soar, and ended with a crucial 48-ball 63 with four sixes.

Suryakumar Yadav: 9/10

115 runs @ 38.33, SR: 185.48, HS: 69

Another T20I series, another Suryakumar success story. He was the highest-run scorer for India, batting with frenzy and aggression throughout. He started off with a 25-ball 46, helping India post 208-6. He ended with the Player of the Series award for another classic. Walking in at 30-2, he got going immediately, making 69 in only 36 balls. His only blip was the first-ball duck in the second game, which prevents him from getting full points.

Hardik Pandya: 9/10

105 runs @ 105, SR: 190.90, HS: 71*

India were reminded once again of why they struggled in Hardik’s absence after yet another memorable series from him. He started off with a powerful 30-ball 71 not out, including hitting three successive sixes to end the innings, showing his range as he sent the ball all over the park. He finished off the series with another fine show, making an unbeaten 25 in 16 balls and hitting the winning runs. Hardik had the best batting average from India, but his bowling returns – he went wicketless – sees him drop a point.

Dinesh Karthik – 7.5/10

17 runs @ 17, SR: 212.50, HS: 10*

The numbers may be baffling, but it was enough for him to leave his mark in the series. Karthik faced only eight balls in the series, including two in the second T20I, when India needed 10 to win off the last over. Karthik casually struck a six off the first ball and then hit a four to finish off a tight run-chase in a curtailed game in style.

Axar Patel: 10/10

8 wickets @ 7.87, ER: 6.30, BBI: 3-17

When no other India bowler had an economy rate below nine, Axar’s 6.30 stands out. When none of his teammates grabbed more than two wickets, Axar got eight. In the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar has managed to step up in style, though his batting still needs work.

Harshal Patel: 1/10

1 wicket @ 99, ER: 12.37, BBI: 1-18

Harshal hurt his own T20 World Cup chances as he struggled for rhythm. Returning from an injury, he was wayward with his line and proved to be expensive. He conceded 22 in his last over in the first T20I, gave away 18 in his only over in the second, and went for nine an over in the third game. However, he managed to keep Tim David quiet in the last over on Sunday, which helps him get an extra half mark.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 0.5/10

1 wicket @ 91, ER: 13, BBI: 1-39

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s struggle continues with three weeks to go for the T20 World Cup. He failed as a death bowler, going for plenty, especially in the first game, when he sent down four wides in his last two overs. He conceded 52 in the first game and 39 in three overs in the third, including 21 runs off his final over.

Jasprit Bumrah: 2/10

1 wicket @ 73, ER: 12.16, BBI: 1-23

Bumrah gave glimpses of his best at Nagpur, taking out Aaron Finch with a searing yorker, which was lauded by the Australia skipper himself. That remained the only noteworthy performance in what was a rare off series for India’s mainstay, who is returning from an injury.

Yuzvendra Chahal: 3/10

2 wickets @ 38, ER: 9.12, BBI: 1-22

Chahal was expensive in the first two games, where his lack of defensive bowling skills came to the fore. However, he redeemed himself with figures of 1-22 in the last game, varying the pace of his deliveries to trouble the batters.

Umesh Yadav: 2/10

2 wickets @ 13.50, ER: 13.50, BBI: 2-27

Umesh’s comeback to the T20I side after 42 months did not go as planned. He leaked 27 in two overs and was replaced in the second T20I.

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