India vs West Indies, 3rd Test - Rating the Indian cricketers
Following an unexpected draw in the previous match, Virat Kohli’s troops entered into St Lucia with plenty at stake. Aside from sealing the series, a place at the top of the Test rankings was up for grabs.
West Indies won the toss and skipper Jason Holder decided to insert the opposition on a conducive pitch. When confronted with some testing seam bowling, the Indian top-order flattered to deceive.
Under pressure for the first time in the series, the lower-order batted with grit to wrest control back. After the heavens opened up during the third day, it seemed that the game was proceeding rather tamely. However, an inspired bowling spell opened up an opportunity for the visitors.
Laying down the marker, their batsmen proceeded to operate at a lively pace as the lead swelled. Proving that they had learnt from the Jamaica stalemate, the bowlers rose to the occasion and delivered an emphatic 237-run victory.
Let us take a look at who did what to help India take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 4-match series.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 8.5
Making a comeback into the playing eleven after a year and a half, the 26-year old bowled perhaps the most decisive spell of the tour in the first innings. Recapturing his symbolic extravagant swing, he demonstrated astounding control to trouble the hosts relentlessly.
In particular, the delivery to leave Marlon Samuels in absolute disbelief was nothing short of magical. His match figures of 35.4-16-46-6 might not reveal the full impact that he had on the contest.
Wriddhiman Saha – 8
Pugnacious and wholehearted, Saha‘s usefulness to the team was on complete display from the opening day itself. Coming into the crease at 126-5, the wicket-keeper batsman fought hard and steadied the ship with a vital partnership with Ashwin.
Aside from bringing up his maiden Test ton, the right-hander’s glove-work was as safe as ever.
Ravichandran Ashwin – 8
Lining up against his favorite opposition, the Tamil Nadu all-rounder continued his form with the bat and tormented the home team yet again. Even though he did not meet his ambitious standards in the bowling department, a fourth Test century helped him capture the Player of the Match award.
Ajinkya Rahane – 7.5
Undoubtedly India’s best batsman at the moment, the soft-spoken Mumbaikar resisted the tricky situation by facing more than 100 balls in the first innings. However, it was in the business stage that he came into his own and played a major part in hastening the declaration.
KL Rahul – 7
Gradually beginning to establish himself into the team, the stylish stroke-maker batted at a strike-rate of 76.92 despite wickets falling around him in the first session and followed up his fifty with another handy cameo at the top of the order.
Mohammad Shami – 7
Building on his impressive showing in the first two games, the pacer bowled at a fair clip. After going wicket less in the first essay, Shami returned to full throttle and produced a blistering effort on the final day which included the key wicket of Darren Bravo.
Ravindra Jadeja – 6.5
Having lost his spot to leg-spinner Amit Mishra in the preceding matches, Jadeja was under a bit of pressure to vindicate his selection. Bowling at the perfect pace on these sluggish Caribbean pitches, the left-armer sustained the pressure from the other end when the seam bowlers were doing their job.
Ishant Sharma – 6.5
The senior-most member of the group did not get the new-ball and had to toil hard for his rewards. After finding the breakthrough on the fourth morning, he struck a couple of major blows by dismissing Samuels and Roston Chase on the final day.
Virat Kohli – 5
Highly driven, the Indian captain’s attacking mindset and unyielding approach appeared to be rubbing off on his team-mates. Although he had a disappointed time with the bat, Kohli’s field placements and bowling changes were spot on.
Rohit Sharma – 4.5
Offered a lifeline by the team management, Rohit replaced Cheteshwar Pujara which meant that both Kohli and Rahane had to move one place up the order. He survived being hit twice on the head at close-in positions and came up with a positive contribution in the second innings to speed up things.
Shikhar Dhawan – 4
Providing a left-handed option at the top of the batting lineup, Dhawan’s aggression also attributed to him keeping his place in the eleven. After being strangled down the leg-side on a fresh surface, he failed to convert a start in the second innings.