India player ratings as Parthiv Patel gets just two after defeat to South Africa at Centurion

Ajit Vijaykumar 19:26 17/01/2018
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  • Lungi Ngidi blew India away in the second innings.

    India, still the top-ranked Test team in the world, lost the three-Test series in South Africa after capitulating to a 135-run defeat on the fifth and final day of the second Test in Centurion.

    Chasing 287 on a dodgy wicket, the Indians were blown away by the pace and accuracy of Lungi Ngidi who finished with seven wickets on his debut.

    Here, we look at how the Men in Blue rated:

    REPORT CARD

    MURALI VIJAY: 5/10

    The opener battled his way to 46 in the first innings but failed to drive home the advantage. Also, misjudged a sitter in the field in the first innings, giving a life to opener Dean Elgar on 14 as the Proteas added 85 for the first wicket.

    KL RAHUL: 2/10

    A disastrous match for the opener. Wafted at a wide delivery in the second innings to be out caught at point. Also dropped Faf du Plessis on six in the second, with the South Africa skipper making 48 and putting the match beyond India.

    CHETESHWAR PUJARA: 3/10

    The first Indian batsman to be run out in both innings of the same Test. Went for a needless single in the first innings and a three in the second even though he is a slow runner with dodgy knees.

    VIRAT KOHLI: 7/10

    His 153 in the first innings single-handedly kept India in the match as he scored half of the team’s total of 307. That India weren’t defeated by a bigger margin was down to his near flawless innings made at a strike rate of 70. However, his decision to keep Ajinkya Rahane out of the team goes against him.

    ROHIT SHARMA: 5/10

    Redeemed himself by hitting 47 off 74 balls on a treacherous fourth innings wicket when every other Indian batsman struggled to get the ball off the square. However, the match was lost by that time.

    PARTHIV PATEL: 2/10

    Took five catches but also dropped three. In the first innings, dropped Amla on 30 and the batsman made 82. Also grassed Faf du Plessis on 54. In second innings, failed to go for catch of Elgar off Bumrah with batsman on 29. Elgar made 61 and added 141 with ABD.

    HARDIK PANDYA: 3/10

    His street-cricket level running saw him get run out in the first innings when the conditions were best for batting. He did produce a brilliant piece of fielding to run Amla out for 82.

    RAVI ASHWIN: 6/10

    Bowled very well to keep the scoring down and ended up with five wickets in the Test. In the first innings, gave good company to Kohli while scoring 38 to take India close to South Africa’s first innings total.

    MOHAMMED SHAMI: 6/10

    The seamer bowled his heart out in the second essay and took the wickets of De Villiers, Elgar and Quinton de Kock using pace and late movement. A free-flowing 28 with the bat in a losing cause during the chase will give him confidence going into the final Test.

    ISHANT SHARMA: 7/10

    The best overall Indian bowler in both innings. Gave away runs at less than 2.5 an over in both outings and finished with five wickets in the match. Bowled full and kept the pressure up from his end. A big positive for India in the bigger scheme of things.

    JASPRIT BUMRAH: 5/10

    Went wicketless in the first innings but was the quickest Indian bowler on display. Reduced the hosts to 3-2 in the second but couldn’t deliver the killer blow. Fine work for a bowler who was until recently considered a limited overs specialist.

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