India won the two-match Test series against New Zealand 1-0, after defeating the visitors by 372 runs at the Wankhede Stadium. Let’s take a look at the player ratings of the home side.
Mayank Agarwal: 7.5/10
Runs: 242 @ 60.50, HS: 150
The Karnataka player did not have the best outing in the first game, but bounced back strongly to score 150 and 62 in the two innings at Mumbai. With the rest of the top-order unable to get going in the first innings, the onus was on Mayank to hold one end up, which is what he proceeded to do.
Shubman Gill: 5/10
Runs: 144 @ 36, HS: 52
The expectations were sky-high from the youngster, and he fared decently, with scores of 52, 1, 44 and 47 in the four innings. However, South Africa might well have spotted a technical flaw or two in his picture-perfect method.
Cheteshwar Pujara: 2.5/10
Runs: 95 @ 23.75, HS: 47
The pressure on the number three batter increases after a below-par outing in the series, making 95 runs at an average of 23.75. Though he scored 47 in the second innings in Mumbai, it came when the team had the upper hand. He scored 26,22 and 0 in the remaining three outings.
Virat Kohli: 3.5/10
Runs: 36 @ 18, HS: 36
The India skipper was controversially given out in the first innings at Mumbai and scored 36 in the second outing. He missed the Kanpur Test but came back strongly with excellent captaincy and bowling changes.
Ajinkya Rahane: 2.5/10
Runs: 39 @ 19.50, HS: 35
The India vice-captain did not make the XI in Mumbai with a niggle, but extended a poor run of form that sees him average less than 20 in 2021. He captained the side in Kanpur, and question marks remain over the timing of his declaration in the second innings, which arguably robbed India of the time to pick up New Zealand’s last wicket.
Shreyas Iyer: 8/10
Runs: 202 @ 50.50, HS: 105
Iyer made the most of his chances, walking out at 145-4 in Kanpur, and impressing with a gritty 105 with the help of 13 fours and two sixes. He carried on to score 65 in the next outing, to end the Test with the third-most runs by an India debutant. He could not get beyond 20 in Mumbai, but his heroics in the first Test ensured his high rating.
Wriddhiman Saha: 6/10
Runs: 102 @ 34, HS: 61*
Saha, who has seen his spot in the XI go to Rishabh Pant, had a last chance to impress, and he didn’t disappoint. His keeping, especially against the spinners, was the highlight of day four in Mumbai, while his unbeaten 61 at Kanpur despite having a stiff neck showed his application.
Ravindra Jadeja: 7/10
Runs: 50 @ 25, HS: 50; Wickets: 5 @ 19.40, BBI: 4-40
The all-rounder picked up 4-40 on day five in Kanpur to give India hopes of a win, but couldn’t claim the all-important final breakthrough. He was also impressive with the bat, teaming with Iyer to score a crucial 50 in the first innings. He missed the second Test due to an injury.
Axar Patel: 8/10
Runs: 124 @ 62, HS: 52; Wickets: 9 @ 15.66, BBI: 6-85
The second-highest wicket-taker from India in the series, Axar Patel picked up yet another five-for, his fifth of the year, in Kanpur. At Mumbai, more than with the ball, he was impressive with the bat, scoring 52 and 41*. His half-century came at a crucial moment, and helped India to 325 in the first innings.
Ravichandran Ashwin: 9/10
Runs: 70 @ 23.33, Wickets: 14 @ 11.35, BBI: 4-8
The off-spinner won the Player of the Series award for his 14 wickets in the two matches. India’s go-to man also played pivotal knocks with the bat, and surpassed Harbhajan Singh’s tally to become the third most prolific India bowler in Test cricket.
Jayant Yadav: 5/10
Wickets: 5 @ 12.40, BBI: 4-49
The spinner was returning to the India side after 2017 and gave a decent impression, picking up five wickets in Mumbai, including 4-49 in the second innings.
Mohammad Siraj: 8/10
Wickets: 3 @ 10.66, BBI: 3-32
The India quick’s opening spell with the new ball in the first innings at Mumbai showed the promise of the youngster. His peach to dismiss Ross Taylor was terrific, and he put on a great display in the nine overs he bowled in the series.
Umesh Yadav: 4/10
Wickets: 2 @ 55, BBI: 1-34
The fast bowler sent down 40 overs in the two games and was impressive in patches, but did not have a big role to play.
Ishant Sharma: 3/10
Wickets: –
The lanky quick conceded 55 runs in 22 overs without picking up a wicket at Kanpur before he was sidelined due to injury in the next game.
