India vs England Tests: Team India report card

Tags: England tour of India 2016 -17, England, India, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindrasinh Anirudhsinh Jadeja

Published on: Dec 21, 2016

The Indian cricket team, under Virat Kohli, thrashed England 4-0 in a five-match series. Here's a look at how the players fared during the course of a highly impressive campaign

The Indian cricket team, under Virat Kohli, thrashed England 4-0 in a five-match series. Here's a look at how the players fared during the course of a highly impressive campaign.

Virat Kohli (9/10): The captain led from the front with the bat, and was the most consistent batsman in the series by some distance. With 655 runs in the series at an average of almost 110, he was an easy pick for man of the series. His hundreds were big ones, 167 in Vizag to go with the career-best 235 at Mumbai. There were a couple of fifties as well. But, his Rajkot 40s were also crucial. Failure at Chennai only proved he is human.

Ravichandran Ashwin (8/10): Furthered his case as an all-rounder with sublime efforts. He was always in the game, either picking wickets, scoring runs or doing both. Will be slightly disappointed with his bowling failure on home ground, but otherwise it was a highly fruitful series. 28 wickets at an average of 30, and 306 runs averaging 43.7 with as many as four fifties -- India couldn't ask for much more from Ash.

Ravindra Jadeja (7/10): When Ashwin surprisingly struggled at Chennai, the left-arm spinner lifted his game, and bowled India to a memorable victory on the last day, using guile and smartness. And, when Ashwin was on top, was content playing the supporting role. Made a massive impact by dismissing Alastair Cook six times. With 26 wickets at an average of 25, and 224 runs with two fifties, Jadeja was reliable as ever at home. His 90 at Mohali was a game changer.

Jayant Yadav (7/10): Without doubt the find of the series for India. There were question marks when he was first chosen, but responded impressively. For someone so young, Yadav supported Ashwin and Jadeja admirably, and also claimed crucial wickets. But it was his batting that stood out, with a fifty at Mohali, and then bettering it with a ton at Mumbai. Injury brought an unfortunate end to his memorable series.

Karun Nair (7/10): He made one contribution of note, but that was a triple hundred. After a nervous debut he turned things around with the sensational effort at Chennai, to become only the second Indian to slam a triple ton in Tests. The pace at which he scored was Sehwag-esque, and a win on day five only made things sweeter.

Cheteshwar Pujara (7/10): The series didn't quite end as it began for Pujara, but he still did enough to finish among the top run-getters. 401 runs at an average of 50 with two hundreds and a fifty translates to another successful series. But, considering his appetite for runs, Pujara would have loved more. Knocks of 51 and 47 were half-baked by his standards.

Parthiv Patel (6.5/10): One cannot but admire him for the manner in which he returned after a eight-year hiatus. After 42 in his first innings on return, he went on to crack a quick 67 as India raced to win at Mohali. In Chennai, he displayed pure selflessness, coming out to bat after keeping for 157 overs, and then scoring a career-best 71. Unfortunately, his keeping remains a concern as he dropped a few chances.

Murali Vijay (6/10): It was a mixed bag for the Indian opener. He began with a hundred in the first Test at Rajkot, but as is his habit, went on to taste failures for the next couple of games. Returned to the runs with a ton in Mumbai, but then injured his shoulder in Chennai, and couldn't open the batting. Needs to work on his consistency.

KL Rahul (5/10): The series followed a pattern which has been seen in Rahul's short career. He got injured, failed when was fit, got injured again, but eventually managed to get the one big score that he gets in the series, at Chennai. The 199 was a wonderful effort although the score says what he missed out on. But, Rahul has only himself to blame, and must learn from his mistakes.

Mohammed Shami (5/10): Yet again, he was India's best fast bowler on show, although he missed the last two Tests owing to injury. He kept the pressure on the batsmen for most parts, and dismissed the likes of Cook, Root and Bairstow at key moments. His 10-wicket haul could have been further impressive had the catches been held.

Umesh Yadav (4/10): There were moments of promise, but it was the same old story for Yadav as he managed only eight wickets in five Tests, poor even on Indian pitches. He knocked Haseeb Hameed out of the series, and dismissed centurion Moeen Ali with a fine short ball at Chennai. Question marks though remain about his ability.

Ishant Sharma (3/10): Played the final Test in Chennai, and managed three wickets. Dismissed Jennings and Buttler with proper opening bowler-deliveries.

Ajinkya Rahane (2/10): After a poor one-day series against New Zealand had his worst Test series till date. After three Tests, finished with an average of just over 12. A fractured finger brought a premature end to his series on the eve of his home Test in Mumbai.

Wriddhiman Saha (1/0): Had a forgettable series. Dropped catches, and managed only 49 runs in two Tests, before a niggle led to him being rested.

Amit Mishra (1/10): Played in two Tests, but was least effective, managing only five wickets averaging 55. With Yadav's success, his place in the team comes under a cloud.

Gautam Gambhir (1/10): Another opportunity lost for the veteran opener. Played in the first Test at Rajkot, but managed only 29 and 0, and was swiftly dropped.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/10): Played only one Test in Mumbai, and dismissed Jennings for a golden duck. Knocked down umpire Paul Reiffel with a throw from the deep.

--By A Cricket Analyst

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