ENG v IND 2018: Team India players’ rating for the Test series

Team India lost the five-match Test series 1-4 to England.

HANUMA VIHARI- 3/10
Hanuma Vihari showed glimpse of hope with a debut 50 | Getty
Hanuma Vihari wouldn’t have got any idea that he would make his debut in the final Test against England. Indian team management decided to bring in Vihari and Shaw to replace Vijay and Kuldeep in the team and both waited for their chances.

While Shaw will have to wait longer, Vihari got a surprise call-up ahead of Karun Nair, who was with the team since the first Test, and Vihari made his Test debut count, as he scored a patient and masterful 56 in his first innings.

His defense looked compact and head remained still while meeting the ball with the middle of the bat. The second innings duck took a little sheen off his debut, but he showed that if given backing and enough chances, he can be a very good middle order bat for India in the long term.


R ASHWIN- 3/10
Ashwin's performances went downwards despite injury | getty

R Ashwin started the series with a bang with 4/62 and 3/59 in the first Test at Edgbaston. He also scored 126 runs in the four Tests he played along with 11 wickets he took. However, an injury to his hip limited his impact on the game against England.

On a turning pitch at Southampton, where Moeen Ali of England picked 9 wickets, Ashwin returned with three wickets and apart from the injury, his form also suffered as the series went on. Ultimately, he was dropped for the final Test, deemed not fit and with team management and Virat Kohli admitting that playing him in Southampton aggravated the injury.

But despite the injury, it was clear that Ashwin may no longer be the best spinner to trust on overseas tours. He is unplayable at home and in subcontinent conditions, but overseas, his impact and skills don’t result in wickets and match wins and Indian team should recognize and groom Kuldeep and other spinners.


RAVINDRA JADEJA- 4/10

Ravindra Jadeja showed why he must be the preferred spinner overseas | Getty

Ravindra Jadeja spent four Tests waiting for a chance to play as Indian team continued to persist with a half-fit R Ashwin. Jadeja finally got a chance to play in the final Test at the Oval and made a big point with a brilliant 86* that reduced England lead to 40 runs.

He also chipped in with 7 wickets to boot for, including 4/79 in the first innings and 3 wickets in the second innings. With his one-off performance, Jadeja has almost justified the notion that he is a better bowler overseas for India even on pitches that don’t offer spin, since he bowls with pace and straight within stumps.

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 13 Sep, 2018

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