Rating India's performances across all formats in 2019

#2 India’s crests dwarfed by gigantic troughs in ODIs

India fell inches short of a World Cup final appearance

When talking about the Men In Blue’s fortunes, one can’t help but veer towards what transpired at Old Trafford in July. During the World Cup, much like the months that preceded it, India’s No.4 conundrum threw up another set of expected problems, meaning that the ailment that plagued the side failed to find an adequate cure.

Months ago, that trend had reared its ugly head against Australia at home when the Aussies pulled off a heroic comeback to get the better of the hosts 3-2, despite staring at a 2-game deficit.

Before that though, India had managed a breath-taking 4-1 series victory against New Zealand on the latter’s home patch whereas they also expertly put Australia to the sword Down Under.

While that sequence also included a chastening defeat at Hamilton, the rubber largely represented the dominance Kohli’s men had established in ODIs, irrespective of the conditions and the opposition.

And, even post that slight debacle at the World Cup, the Indians did decently, clinically dispatching the West Indies in the Caribbean before overcoming a sterner challenge against the same opposition in December.

Thus, the Men In Blue largely gave a commendable account of themselves, although it is extremely hard to look past their failings on the biggest of stages. And, though in a broader sense, India looked a well-oiled machine in 50-over cricket, that semi-final against New Zealand is what ultimately brings down their rating.

Rating: 7/10