Marks out of ten: Player ratings for South Africa after their 2-1 series defeat to India

Tony de Zorzi – 8

3 matches, 228 runs at 114.0, SR: 98.70, HS: 119*

Playing in only his second ODI series, De Zorzi was by far and away South Africa’s standout batter. He was the only centurion of the series for the home side, with 81 in Paarl following on from his 119* in Gqebehra. Carrying his bat in the second game, he was crucial in setting up a series decider for the final match of the series.

Reeza Hendricks – 5

3 matches, 71 runs at 23.66, SR: 62.83, HS: 52

After spending most of the World Cup as South Africa’s reserve batter, Hendricks came in at the top for Temba Bavuma for all three matches. An eight ball duck in the first game started a dramatic collapse, but he struck back with a half century in Gqebehra.

Rassie van der Dussen – 3

3 matches, 38 runs at 12.66, SR: 55.07, HS: 36

Van der Dussen’s top score for the series was 36 in the second ODI, sandwiched in between a duck and a 17-ball two. Along with Hendricks, he was part of the reason South Africa were over-reliant on their middle and lower order.

Aiden Markram – 5

3 matches, 50 runs at 25.00, SR: 78.12, HS: 36

Standing in as captain for the series at the conclusion of a stellar year in ODI cricket, Markram’s returns were disappointing. He was more than useful with the ball, however, dismissing Axar Patel in the second match and bowling five overs for just 19 runs in Paarl.

Heinrich Klaasen – 3

3 matches, 27 runs at 13.50, SR: 87.09, HS: 21

None of the fireworks audiences have come to expect from Klaasen were seen in this series. In the two innings he was required to bat, his strike rate didn’t touch 100, and he wasn’t able to compensate for South Africa’s top order problems.

David Miller – 2

3 matches, 12 runs at 6.00, SR: 44.44, HS: 10

Both times South Africa collapsed Miller was tasked with pulling off the impossible, both time he nicked behind to effectively end the Proteas chances of victory.

Wiaan Mulder – 4

3 matches, 2 wickets at 40.50, ER: 5.40, BBI: 1-26
1 run at 0.50, SR: 25.00, HS: 1

Back in the ODI side for the first time in over two years, it was underwhelming return for Mulder. He bowled economically but didn’t pick up the wickets South Africa needed. In terms of boosting their batting order with an allrounder, the two innings he was required to bat yielded one solitary run.

Andile Phehlukwayo – 4

1 match, 33 runs at 33.00, SR: 67.34, HS: 33
1 wicket at 15.00, ER: 15.00, BBI: 1-15

Phehlukwayo top-scored with the bat during South Africa’s collapse in the first match of the series, before he was sidelined with a side-strain for the following two matches.

Nandre Burger – 7

3 matches, 5 wickets at 25.80, ER: 5.22, BBI: 3-30

The series marked an international arrival for Nandre Burger. Clocked at well above 90 mph, the five wickets he took have earmarked him as the next South Africa pacer set to make an impact on the world stage. His performances also earned him an IPL contract with Rajasthan Royals for 2024.

Keshav Maharaj – 6

3 matches, 3 wickets at 35.66, ER: 4.65, BBI: 2-51

Another consistent series for Maharaj on surfaces which offered little for spinners.

Lizaad Williams – 2

2 matches, 2 wickets at 60.00, ER: 6.31, BBI: 1-49

With South Africa’s frontline pacers rotated out, Williams was back in the starting XI after spending the World Cup on the sidelines. He was the most expensive of the home side’s seamers, and only picked up two wickets.

Tabraiz Shamsi – 2

1 match, 0 wickets, ER: 7.33

Shamsi only played the first match in the series before South Africa decided they only need one spinner in the side.

Beuran Hendricks – 7

2 matches, 5 wickets at 19.40, ER: 5.29, BBI: 3-63

After missing out in the first match of the series, Hendricks put in two impressive performances with the ball to finish the series. He dismissed Sanju Samson in the second ODI before taking three wickets in the third.