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.
When India loses like this overseas, we criticise the team. This is not a team issue, it’s a long standing Indian cricket issue, that we have failed to resolve. #INDvSA
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 17, 2018
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.
I will be very surprised if it isn't mandatory, going ahead, to play a minimum of two first class matches before the first away test.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 17, 2018
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.
If India want to do away with the run outs then there is a bloke called Ajinkya Rahane who has had 149 partnerships in Tests without ever being involved in a run out - currently a WORLD RECORD! #RSAvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 17, 2018
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.
Fiery press conference from Virat Kohli today. Counter-questioned me about "what is India's best XI" and later asked a South African journalist about "how many times SA have come close to winning in India". #SAvInd
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) January 17, 2018
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.
Rohit Sharma is the only Indian to cross double digit in all four innings of this series...
— BrokenStats (@Broken_Statz) January 17, 2018
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.
And Parthiv drops one more... never a pick a wicketkeeper for his batting
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) January 14, 2018
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.
Early lesson for Hardik Pandya that this game will come to bite you back if you let confidence become arrogance.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 15, 2018
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.
Top class bowling @MdShami11 removing 3 batsman quickly brining is back in the game.. De cock played 4 balls 4 edges no clue🤪 shami at top
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 16, 2018
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.