Virat Kohli celebrates with Yuzvendra Chahal after picking up a wicket during the third ODI between South Africa and India in Cape Town. (AP Image)
Shikhar Dhawan: Rating 8: Verdict: Very Good
Ace India opener Shikhar Dhawan continued his good run of form in 'Rainbow Nation' as he struck his second half-century in as many games for the 'Men In Blue'. The unbeaten fifty in Centurion won't be referred to as big a feat as this one because the second ODI was more or less in the bag as the Proteas was bundled out for a paltry 118. But this score of 76 from Dhawan was sheer class as after the dismissal of Rohit Sharma early, he stitched a stunning partnership of 140 with skipper Virat Kohli. Moreover, his strike rate was a brilliant 120+ throughout the course of the innings, and that really helped India fightback after the fall of an early wicket.
Rohit Sharma: Rating 0: Verdict: Very Poor
Rohit’s poor form in South Africa continued and as he was dismissed for a duck in the first over of the innings itself. Rohit looked out of sorts and he was virtually beaten on all the deliveries that he faced from Kagiso Rabada before he was finally dismissed on the last ball of the over. While Rohit's class is unquestionable but he has to start producing the goods on a more consistent basis on away tours.
Virat Kohli: Rating 10: Verdict: Excellent
The skipper deserves a perfect 10 for not just another century, but also for his captaincy skills. Ringing in the perfect changes during the South Africa innings, Kohli got Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav to bowl at the right time to put a break on the South Africa innings. But his batting once again stole all the limelight as he struck a majestic ton to break numerous records in the process as well. Kohli remained unbeaten on 160 and with that he set numerous new milestones as well. He went past Sourav Ganguly (127 in Johannesburg in 2001) in the list of highest individual score by an Indian batsman against South Africa in South Africa. Kohli also became the second opposition captain to score 150 runs in South Africa (the 1st being Ricky Ponting in 2006 at Johannesburg). This is also his 54th International century where he will be the outright 5th-most prolific century-maker in international cricket behind Tendulkar (100), Ponting (71), Sangakkara (63) & Kallis (62).
Ajinkya Rahane: Rating 3: Verdict: Poor
Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed in the 24th over of the innings and that is when Ajinkya Rahane walked out to bat. The swashbuckling right-hander had ample time to stitch a good partnership with Virat Kohli but he failed to deceive once again. Rahane played a very careless shot off the bowling of part-time bowler JP Duminy. Rahane was dismissed for mere 11 runs and he lost a good opportunity to put some runs under his belt against a relatively unimpressive South African attack.
Hardik Pandya: Rating 5: Verdict: Average
All-rounder Hardik Pandya had a very hot and cold game according to his very high standards. Pandya was sent ahead of MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav as India was looking for some runs after the fall of quick wickets in the middle order. However, the right-hander could not trouble the scorers much as he was dismissed for 14. But during South African batting, Pandya bowled his heart out and was one of the main reasons why the Indian bowlers were able to create pressure, which ultimately resulted in wickets. Although, Pandya remained wicket-less, his economical and controlled bowling cannot be discounter for.
MS Dhoni: Rating 5: Verdict: Average
Mahendra Singh Dhoni got a chance to bat for a considerable time but he failed with the blade and was dismissed for just 10. However, with the glouves in hand, Dhoni is still setting new milestones as he became the first India keeper to scalp 400 dismissals in ODIs (with Markram's stumping). Moreover, the way Dhoni has been guiding the bowlers from behind the stumps is helping the young bowlers a great deal to shine. Also, time to time, he is seen helping skipper Virat Kohli adjust the field as well. Clearly, Dhoni is enjoying himself as just a senior statesman in the team with Kohli taking over the reins as captain.
Kedar Jadhav: Rating 1: Verdict: Very Poor
Not much to say about Kedar Jadhav in this match as he played a nothing shot and got out for just one run when skipper Kohli just needed someone to stay on the other end. Kedar didn't get a opportunity to bowl and therefore, he had no contribution in India's win in Cape Town whatsoever.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Rating 5: Verdict: Average
Bhuvneshwar Kumar sturck a brilliant 50-run stand with Kohli for the seventh wicket and this partnership was instrumental in the visitors crossing the 300-run mark. However, Bhuvi was once again not up to the mark with his primary job - bowling. The star pacer ended the innings without picking up any wicket and also gave away runs in the excess of 5 per over in the 7 overs that he bowled. Bhuvneshwar will look to turn his fortunes around in the remaining three ODIs in the series.
Kuldeep Yadav & Yuzvendra Chahal: Rating 10: Verdict: Excellent
They say good things come in small packages and this old adage fits perfectly for the new spin kings of India - Kuldeep (4/23) and Chahal (4/26). The duo were once again instrumental in this huge win for the visitors as the SA batsmen still have no answers to the wrist spin of these two youngsters. Kuldeep and Chahal hunt in tandem and their variation has been impeccable right through the course of the series and Cape Town was no different. In three ODIs, the duo have now accounted for 21 wickets and have given just 190 runs in the process.
Jasprit Bumrah: Rating 8: Verdict: Very Good
Bumrah once again showed why he is regarded as one of the best bowlers when it comes to the limited-over formats of the game. The star pacer gave India an ideal start in the match as he removed the experienced Hashim Amla in just the second over of the innings itself. And just when David Miller was starting to look dangerous, Kohli reintroduced Bumrah into the attack and he delivered by removing the southpaw to pick his second of the day.
Kuldeep YadavMS DhoniSouth Africa vs IndiaSouth Africa vs India 2018South Africa vs India ODISTeam India Report Cardvirat kohliyuzvendra chahal
First Published: February 8, 2018, 4:17 PM IST