India vs South Africa: How the Indians fared in the Test series

Wriddhiman Saha 7/10

When the wicket turns square, not only the batsmen but also the umpire and the wicket-keeper will find it difficult. Saha had a great series behind the stumps as he backed his bowlers throughout. Even as a batsman, Saha looked solid as he made some crucial contributions that went unnoticed. His 20-odd runs in the second innings of the Mohali Test gave the Indian spinners some comfort to bowl with. Apart from that, he applied some resistance whenever he came out to bat.

Ravindra Jadeja 9/10

The writer’s choice for the Man of the Series. Ravindra Jadeja made a great comeback into the Indian side with a stunning all-round show. With the ball, he was the partner-in-crime for R Ashwin as he finished the series as the second leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets at an average of 10.82, which included 2 five-wicket hauls. He also made a vital contribution with the bat by chipping in with a couple of 30s that had a lot of importance. Hardly put a foot wrong in his comeback series.

R Ashwin 9.5/10

The eventual Man of the Series for his 31 wickets in seven innings at an average of 11.12 which had 4 five-wicket hauls. Ashwin literally had the Proteas batsmen dancing to his tunes. With the bat, he scored a fifty in the fourth Test and allowed Rahane to score his first ton at home and take the score past 300.

Amit Mishra 8/10

Amit Mishra was unlucky to be dropped from the team for two Test matches for balancing the team composition. The leggie might have picked just 7 wickets in the series, but the impact made by those wickets were huge for the team. He backed the spin twins of Ashwin and Jadeja well.

Ishant Sharma 6.5/10

The Indian pace spearhead had a good series with the ball after missing the first Test due to suspension. He has just a wicket to show, but the pressure he created with some consistent bowled helped the spinners to cash in.

Umesh Yadav 7/10

Figures of 21-16-9-3 looked very much unlike Umesh's spell. Till the final innings of the Test, Umesh hardly had anything to contribute as the spinners called the shots. But when given the responsibility, he lived up to the faith the captain had in him.

Varun Aaron 6/10

Aaron played the first two Tests and ended up picking 2 wickets at an average of 36. He also bowled the ball of the series to dismiss Hashim Amla in the first innings of the second test at Bengaluru.

Stuart Binny No Ratings

Played the second Test in which he bowled just three overs and picked up a sensational catch running backwards.