India vs South Africa 2015 2nd ODI: Player Ratings

Axar Patel’s spell propelled India to capitalise on Dhoni’s heroic knock with a victory

In a nail-biting slugfest at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, India edged South Africa to register a win and level the ODI series. MS Dhoni’s gallant innings was complemented by a spirited performance by the bowlers.

When India won the toss and opted to bat, MS Dhoni would never have thought of coming into bat in as soon as the 19th over. Apart from Rahane’s 51, Dhoni did not receive any support from his batsmen. However, he single-handedly hauled India to a competitive score of 247.

As South Africa began their chase with aggression, Dhoni turned to the spinners for a solution. Axar Patel produced a remarkable spell to dismiss the top-order and pull his team back into the match. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s death-bowling and a fighting effort from the fielders helped India to a remarkable come-from-behind victory in the 2nd ODI.

Let us take a look at the player ratings for the thrilling encounter. All players are rated through a maximum of 10 points.

India

Rohit Sharma – 4

Rohit who has been on a hot streak throughout the tour could not carry on his form in Indore. Never looking set, the South African new-ball bowlers troubled him with extra pace. His 10-ball stay came to an end when his stumps were clattered by an incoming delivery from Kagiso Rabada.

Shikhar Dhawan – 5

Dhawan who came into the match on the back of poor form, began with assurance and conviction. He played a few exquisite shots through the off-side and looked at ease against the likes of Steyn and Rabada. However, his stay was halted by a slower delivery from Morkel. Even JP Duminy who completed the simple catch was surprised at the soft dismissal.

Ajinkya Rahane – 7

Rahane started his innings with authority as he smashed Dale Steyn 3 boundaries in an over. Even though he was involved in a terrible mix-up with Virat Kohli, Rahane continued to score freely by rotating the strike. When he looked set to consolidate, Imran Tahir bowled him around his legs.

Virat Kohli – 6.5

Arriving into the match with a string of low scores, Kohli looked intent to turn things around at the Holkar Stadium. In his customary style, he looked to get himself into the scheme of things before playing his shots. After a brief partnership with Rahane, Kohli set off for a non-existent couple only to find himself stranded at the non-strikers end. However, he redeemed himself with 3 crucial catches during India’s defence of 247.

Suresh Raina – 3.5

When Raina came into the crease in the 23rd over, AB De Villiers immediately brought back Morne Morkel to kick start the bouncer barrage. After an uncomfortable stay in the crease, he was put out of his misery by being strangled down the leg-side, courtesy a short-ball. He also bowled a couple of overs and conceded 18 runs.

MS Dhoni – 9

Under immense pressure from all quarters, Dhoni silenced his critics with an excellent innings. Not finding any tangible support from the other end, the skipper enacted the role of the proverbial lone warrior with pure grit. His 92* came off just 86 balls and ensured that India had a fighting chance to outsmart the South African batsmen. His captaincy was also in sync with the requirements as he managed to defend a moderate total against a power-packed South African batting unit.

Axar Patel – 8

With figures of 10-0-39-3, Axar Patel was the stand-out bowler in the match. His accuracy and control accounted for the vital wickets of Amla, Du Plessis and Duminy to enable the hosts to stage a comeback. Even though he was unable to contribute with the bat, his match-winning spell ensured that India emerged victorious.

Harbhajan Singh – 7

Coming into bat when India were tottering at 165/7, Harbhajan overcame a jittery start to provide support to his captain and chipped in with an useful 22. Later, he showed glimpses of his old magic as he snared Quinton De Kock who had blazed away to a quick-fire start and sealed the match for India by dismissing the last recognized batsman in Farhaan Behardien.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 7.5

Bhuvneshwar Kumar stitched an impressive bowling performance with his steady line and length. In his second spell, he got rid of David Miller. When the dying moments of the match was unveiled, he removed Imran Tahir and Morne Morkel.

Umesh Yadav – 5

With his extra pace, Yadav could have been a handful on a surface which assisted the quick bowlers. But, he was wayward in his 1st spell as he was handled with disdain by the Protea openers. His figures read 8-0-52-1.

Mohit Sharma – 6

He was the man responsible for eliminating the versatile AB De Villiers from the encounter. Mohit maintained the pressure on the South African batsmen by not offering any respite.

South Africa

Hashim Amla – 5

Amla who is generally regarded as a run-machine in ODIs started the chase on an aggressive note. He played the new-ball duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav with relative ease. When Dhoni brought in spin to counter him, Amla tried to dance down the track once too often and eventually perished to Axar Patel.

Quinton De Kock – 6.5

After snatching a series of spectacular catches, De Kock began South Africa’s reply with intent and aggression. He was severe against both pace and spin. However his progress was halted when he tried to dispatch a flighted delivery from Harbhajan and instead found long-off.

Faf Du Plessis – 6.5

Despite being hampered by a slight injury, Du Plessis was the only batsmen in the South African line-up to post a significant score and resist the Indian bowling attack. His wicket was the turning point in the match for the home team.

AB De Villiers – 5

Coming on the back of a stellar century in Kanpur, AB De Villiers could not guide his team to victory this time. When he was looking threatening, he was sent back to the dressing room after failing to connect a drive properly off a full-length ball from Mohit Sharma.

JP Duminy – 6

In the 1st innings, his loopy off-spin was taken apart by MS Dhoni and Harbhajan. With the bat, he forged a partnership with Du Plessis and looked set to take the visitors home. But, he was trapped in front by Axar Patel which was a significant moment in the contest.

David Miller – 2.5

Amidst a poor run of form, Miller’s batting deteriorated further as he fell to a first-ball duck off the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Farhaan Behardien – 5

He was required to bowl only over in the Indian innings. During South Africa’s chase, Behardien stitched together a patchy innings and was beginning to gather momentum. However, he was unfortunately given out due to a wrong decision by Vineet Kulkarni who has had a major impact in the series.

Dale Steyn – 7.5

The premier test bowler in the world showed his class on a surface which suited his skiddy pace. Despite being initially hit around by Rahane, he bounced back in his final spell by picking up crucial wickets towards the end.

Morne Morkel – 7.5

Earlier spotted honing his skills under the supervision of former South African seamer Shaun Pollock, Morkel nipped Shikhar Dhawan with an alarming change of pace. His steep bounce constantly troubled the Indian batsmen. After being summoned by his captain to attack Suresh Raina, he responded by snaring the southpaw with a lifter around the batsman’s body.

Kagiso Rabada – 7

The young speedster impressed the onlookers with a steady display of pace bowling. Employing a shortish length, his impeccable line restricted the Indian batsmen from scoring. He breached Rohit Sharma’s defence with a rapid in-swinger. His final over to a set and firing MS Dhoni was astounding as he controlled the Indian captain’s menace to a certain extent.

Imran Tahir – 7.5

A fierce competitor, Tahir sustained the pressure by stemming the flow of runs with an admirable spell in the middle overs. Gradually becoming South Africa’s trump-card in the limited overs format, Tahir opened the floodgates by accounting for Rahane by viciously foxing him around his legs.