The victory inauguration for the new team India has finally arrived. Virat Kohli and his men have given our nation, a moment which was long awaited. Not only Virat Kohli gained the much needed winning moment as the captain, but also became a part of Indian history of beating SriLanka in SriLanka.
Here is how we at CricketBeta have evaluated the performances of Indian players throughout the series.
K.L. Rahul: 8/10
The youngster K.L Rahul probably was the find of the tournament, in many ways. Though apart from one century he didn’t had a very good time with the bat but his overall chart was excellent. When Saha found himself injured during the game, Rahul stepped up as a keeper and took an excellent catch of Angelo Mathews. As a fielder Rahul proved out to be quite an acrobat. His amazing catch on the final day, which sent Thirimane back to pavilion was a special spark of the tournament. Technically convincing Rahul is only going to improve his techniques and overcome the repeated problems he have against the swing deliveries.
Cheteshwar Pujara: 9/10
Pujara had all the pressure climbing when he was given one chance in the last test. Being deferred for the playing XI ever since Kohli became the captain, Pujara finally got a chance as an opener and he carried his bat all the way making a 145 not out to give India a respectable first innings score on a heavily seaming track. His second innings duck probably got his one point deducted but with his superb catching close in, he made up for everything.
Murali Vijay: 7.5/10
Vijay did what he has always done: playing for the team. The injured Vijay got only the second test to play and in fact started with a duck. But in second innings his crucial 82 were brilliantly paced and according to the team needs. His stepping out against the spinners strategy worked wonders and gave India the momentum needed to eventually win the game.
Shikhar Dhawan: 8.5/10
Dhawan only featured in the first test which India lost but Dhawan played an almost flawless innings of 134 in the first innings to put India in a winning position at one time. In second innings, target was already difficult and he wasn’t at his best fitness. But his absolutely patient innings fetched him a good rating.
Rohit Sharma: 6.5/10
The unpredictable Rohit Sharma was his typical self again in this tournament. Consistently Inconsistent Sharma failed badly at number 3 but helped India under pressure in seaming conditions in the last test and vital contributions in second test as well. Sharma though will still need to prove his talent for the test side.
Ajinkya Rahane: 6.5/10
Rahane again proved out to be someone who is not exactly consistent but, can help India win matches. He had nothing to display except one impacting hundred in the second test. His fourth test ton again came under high pressure and adverse batting conditions in second innings. His counter attacking knock, set SriLanka a gritty total to chase. But as far as consistency is considered, just one good innings in 6 will not make a good case for Rahane.
Virat Kohli: 7/10
Virat Kohli is the best batsman of India and getting out in same manner again and again doesn’t suit the Indian skipper. Given that, just one hundred and one half century should be something Kohli should look forward to improve on. Moreover he needs to work on his playing of away swinging deliveries.
Wriddhiman Saha: 6.5/10
Saha is getting better with experience. He got only two matches to play but he scored half centuries in both. Still, these are the conditions he likes to play on and given those, he should add even more to his tally.
Stuart Binny: 6.5/10
Binny as an all rounder has great responsibilities. His crucial wickets in last test were important for team India. But you have to admit that it was more about batsmen playing rash shots. However full credits to him for excellent battle with the bat in last test. Still Binny has a lot and lot to improve.
Naman Ojha: 7/10
Naman Ojha got his debut in conditions those were seaming. He batted for small times in both the innings. Though not sensational, he batted fairly in both and did his job rather cleanly behind the stumps. I would give the gritty Naman Ojha, a seven.
Ravichandran Ashwin: 9/10
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Ashwin Proved Out to be Unplayable on Many Occasions.
Ravi Ashwin clearly was the man of the tournament to me. He set such brilliant off spin standards that he was the most dreaded bowler among the SriLankans. Ashwin got Sangakkara out 4 on 4 and on occasions churned the Sri Lankan batting attack with one hand. His crucial half century in final innings turned out to be the difference in the end.
Amit Mishra: 7.5/10
Mishra knew that Ashwin is going to be the spin spearhead and he respectfully played the supporting role and he did that beautifully. Plus his gritty half century almost turned around things in final innings. Taking the final wicket to nail match and series was the cutest gratitude for Amit Mishra.
Harbhajan Singh: 3/10
Harbhajan was never like the bowler he was before. He was trusted for just one test and proved out to be too ineffective. Just one wicket in the whole test match where Ashwin was turning the ball like wonders, never justifies the position of the legend.
Varun Aaron: 3/10
Aaron was taken in the squad under Kohli’s confidence to be the aggressor. But in the only test he featured, he gave runs at even more than a run a ball. His poor bowling allowed Chandimal to attack and turn the game around for Srilanka
Umesh Yadav: 6/10
Yadav got some help from the pitch in the last match where he got some wickets. In second test he was just on par. He did support Ishant Sharma well but his individual performance would still be called just on par. However his wicket of Mathews in the first ball of the final day of the second test set the momentum for the day and eventually gave India a thumping victory.
Ishant Sharma: 8/10
Ishant Sharma did his position fair justice and indeed was the pace spearhead for India. He provided important breakthroughs in the tests India won and with a fifer in last test he destroyed SriLankan batting. He touched the 200 wickets mark as well in the end.
What is your opinion on the team performances? Who according to you was the best? Do post comments.