India vs South Africa, 3rd Test

Ashwin was once again the pick of the Indian spinners

India ended South Africa’s away unbeaten streak on 15 series, as they completed another comfortable victory in the Third Test at Nagpur, to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing Test series, with a game in Delhi left to play.

The Proteas were behind the eight-ball ever since being bowled out for 79, in response to India’s 215 in the first innings. But after bowling out India under 200 in the second innings, the visitors gave themselves half a chance of getting something out of the game.

But India’s spinners once again came to the party on a track that was providing them with plenty of assistance. Led by Ravichandran Ashwin’s 12 wickets in the match, India’s spinners picked up all 20 South African wickets to fall in the game.

Let us take a look at the player ratings for what turned out to be another three-day Test. All players are rated through a maximum of 10 points.

India

Murali Vijay – 7

Given the high standards Murali Vijay has set himself in the past 18 months, he wouldn’t have been happy with how he got out in the second innings. Still, his 40 in the first innings, was the highest score by any batsman in the match and is a testament to Vijay’s temperament and ability to stay in, on a tricky track.

Shikhar Dhawan – 6

After his unbeaten knock in the washed out Test in Bangalore, Shikhar Dhawan would have been high on confidence, but two tame dismissals in both innings of the Nagpur Test, especially after being set, is likely to dent that confidence. If he keeps wasting his chances like this, perhaps it is time for a change.

Cheteshwar Pujara – 6

Along with Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara has arguably been India’s best batsmen on this series, which has been dominated by the spinners. But given his impressive average in India, Pujara would have been disappointed at being dismissed after being set in both innings of the third Test.

Virat Kohli – 4

Virat Kohli, the captain is having a fantastic series. Unfortunately, Kohli the batsman, is having a largely forgettable series. The fact that he is yet to get a fifty in the series, might start to worry the Indian camp, given the impressive form he was in, coming into the Test series.

Ajinkya Rahane – 4

It must be difficult being Rahane at the moment. While he has been exceptional in the slips and one of India’s most consistent performers overseas, his record in India is hardly noteworthy. Pitches tailor-made for spinners is unlikely to help him get back into form, but India need their consistent middle-order batsman to return back to form and soon.

Rohit Sharma – 5

While it is difficult to fault a batsmen who was drafted in on a tricky track, Rohit Sharma’s shot that led to his dismissal in the second innings was not only unneccessary, but might have, on another day cost India the game. As the last recognised batsman, Rohit needs to take more responsibility in Tests.

Wriddhiman Saha – 6

Although he hasn’t been able to score a fifty in the series so far, Saha’s crucial contribution lower down the order has proven to be invaluable for the hosts, as it has helped convert modest totals into competitive ones. His work behind the wicket as well, has been sublime.

Ravindra Jadeja – 8

Given the form that Ravindra Jadeja has been in, he would have been disappointed at being robbed of the opportunity to pick up another five-wicket haul in the first innings, and not picking up any wickets in the second innings. Still, he has proven himself to be a more-than able side-kick for Ashwin.

Ravichandran Ashwin – 9

On pitches that offer him even the faintest bit of assistance, Ravichandran Ashwin has become almost unplayable. Not only did he pick up his career-best Test figures, he also became leading wicket-taker in 2015, overtaking Stuart Broad, despite playing five fewer games than the Englishman. He will be looking to

Amit Mishra – 7

While he would have been disappointed to only get a solitary wicket in the first innings, Amit Mishra picked up the crucial wickets of Hashim Amla and Francois du Plessis in the second innings, just as they were looking set to guide the Proteas to an unlikely victory.

Ishant Sharma – 7

The pressure on Ishant Sharma, as the lone pace bowler in the lineup must have been immense. Although he didn’t pick up any wickets, he kept things quiet, had the Proteas batsmen on their toes with his reverse swing and is only enhancing his reputation as the leader of India’s pace attack.

South Africa

Stiaan van Zyl – 2

Aside from his impressive 36 in the first Test when came in the middle order, it looks like Stiaan van Zyl’s primary role in the series is to provide Ashwin with his wicket. The opener has been dismissed by the off-spinner in all five innings of the series and his combined tally of 5 runs in the match does nothing to displace that suggestion.

Dean Elgar – 4

Dean Elgar has been one of the few South African batsmen, who have applied themselves this series, but his failure to convert starts into something more significant must be something that concerns the Proteas think-thank. In both innings of the Nagpur Test, Elgar played more than 30 deliveries, but struggled to kick on.

Hashim Amla – 5

Arguably the biggest positive for South Africa from this match is the return of form of their skipper Hashim Amla. His innings of 39 in the second innings, was the longest in terms of balls in the series so far and showed that Amla was getting back to basics and looking to stay in, rather than hit out of his poor form.

AB de Villiers – 3

Although AB de Villiers failed in both innings for the first time in this series, given his exemplary record, this shouldn’t make the South Africa supporters lose too much sleep. But what will, is perhaps the growing impatience, especially at the start of the innings that AB is starting to show.

Faf du Plessis – 5

Faf du Plessis’ 39 in the second innings might have mattered little in the context of the game, but would have done him a world of good going forward. Averaging 0.33 in the series with two ducks, prior to this Test, his knock in the second innings might just give him the confidence he needs to get out of his slump.

JP Duminy – 6

Despite not being particularly effective with the ball, JP Duminy’s 39 in the first innings ensured that South Africa didn’t succumb to their lowest-ever Test total. In both innings, he showed the Proteas batsmen how to tackle the turning pitch, as he used the depth of the crease perfectly.

Dane Vilas – 2

It is turning into a forgettable series with the bat for South Africa’s keeper Dane Vilas, whose single-digit series average is proving to be a problem, given injuries to Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn, two of South Africa’s better batsmen lower down the order. While he will certainly feature in the final game, it might be time to get Quinton de Kock in for the England series.

Simon Harmer – 6

Five wickets in the match might be a good return for a South African spinner at home, but away from home, on tracks conducive to spin bowling, Simon Harmer needs to do a little more. Not just in terms of taking more wickets, but also in terms of keeping things quiet and building pressure.

Kagiso Rabada – 5

A return of a solitary wicket might not make for great reading, the pitch at Nagpur wouldn’t be one Kagiso Rabada would want to carry in his pocket. Still, an impressive economy rate and the ability to keep things quiet and let others steal the limelight, bodes well for his future.

Morne Morkel – 8

On an abrasive surface that would have made every spinner want to bowl, Morne Morkel was arguably the Proteas’ most impressive bowler. Not only did he pick up six wickets in the match, but his ability to reverse swing the ball and lead the attack in Dale Steyn’s absence was certainly admirable.

Imran Tahir – 7

While the decision to send Imran Tahir as the night-watchman might not have worked on both occasions, he certainly did his job with the ball. While Amla might not trust Tahir, the leggie’s five-wicket haul in the second innings should at least lift him ahead of part-time bowlers, when it comes to who gets the ball after Harmer.