India vs West Indies 2016, 2nd Test: Rating the Indian cricketers
Following a dominating performance in the opening Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the Indians entered into Jamaica hoping to continue their momentum and take control of the 4-match series.
Meanwhile, West Indies needed a discernable improvement in all facets of the game to rally against Virat Kohli’s troops. Despite the pitch at Sabina Park sporting a tinge of grass on the opening day, the hosts chose to bat first.
However, the decision backfired on them with India’s new-ball bowlers ripping the top-order apart. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin joined the action and maintained his stranglehold over the West Indies batsmen with another five wicket haul.
Centuries from KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane enabled the visitors to mount a massive total on board. Amidst severe thunderstorms and a batting rearguard inspired by Roston Chase in the second innings, the visitors were denied as the series remained intact at 1-0.
Let us take a look at what each Indian player did in the second Test.
8.5 – KL Rahul
Getting an opportunity to break into the eleven due to Murali Vijay’s injury, Rahul grabbed it with both hands and cruised to a resilient 158. Not shying away from punishing the loose deliveries, he built his innings by weathering some testing spells and stringing partnerships along. If Vijay should recover in time for the next match, Anil Kumble and company might face an interesting selection dilemma.
8 – Ajinkya Rahane
Perhaps the most technically accomplished batsman currently in the Indian Test team, Rahane once again proved his reliability. The impressive aspect of his century was the riveting duel with West Indies skipper Jason Holder wherein he managed to survive a spell of sustained pressure.
6.5 – Ravichandran Ashwin
Fresh from a seven wicket haul in the last game, the tall off-spinner from Tamil Nadu broke the back of West Indies in the first innings with a productive spell. When the stage was set for him to seal the deal, Ashwin struggled to find his rhythm when it mattered the most.
6 – Wriddhiman Saha
Efficient behind the stumps and pugnacious in front of it, Saha gradually seemed to get into the groove. Having been demoted down the order, the wicket-keeper batsman once again responded with a handy knock.
6 – Mohammed Shami
Undoubtedly the most impressive pace bowler on show, the slippery customer hit the right spots and troubled the West Indies batsmen relentlessly. But, he ran out of steam during the business stages of the contest.
5.5 – Virat Kohli
After hogging the limelight with a double ton in the previous match, the skipper looked set for another substantial score. However, in an attempt to maneuver the ball on the leg side, the 27-year-old could only glance one to short leg. In terms of his captaincy, the decision to hold back spin in the post-tea session did not help matters as well.
5.5 – Cheteshwar Pujara
Holding the vital number three slot in the lineup, Pujara maintained a long vigil at the crease by combining patience with judiciousness. Just when he seemed to have done all the hard work, a momentary lapse in judgment made him search for a non-existent single and run himself out.
5 – Shikhar Dhawan
Coming into the match on the back of a solid knock in the first Test, Dhawan forged a promising partnership alongside Rahul for the opening wicket. But, he threw it away with a mistimed drive off what was a rather straightforward delivery.
4.5 – Ishant Sharma
Possessing the highest number of Test caps in the side, Ishant Sharma had the responsibility to lead the bowling attack. Apart from providing the initial burst, he was not consistent enough to deliver impactful spells.
4.5 – Amit Mishra
Bowling a lot slower than he normally would, Mishra toiled hard without much reward during the inaugural day and even lost his composure at times. With the surface not deteriorating enough to bring him into the equation, the leg-spinner was negotiated quite easily by the West Indies batsmen.
3 – Umesh Yadav
After a listless display in the first innings which yielded him figures of 6-0-30-0, the fast bowler remained wicket less in the second essay too. Not extracting enough reverse swing due to the lush outfield, Yadav had a forgettable outing.