India beat South Africa 2-1 in a closely fought, high-scoring three-ODI series. Here's how the Indian players fared.
Yashasvi Jaiswal - 7/10
3 matches, 156 runs at 78, SR 89, HS: 116*, 100s: 1
After a disappointing first couple of games where he seemingly struggled to match the ODI tempo, Yashasvi came into his own in the third, joining an elite list of Indians with an international century in all three formats.
Rohit Sharma - 8/10
3 matches, 146 runs at 48.66, SR 111, HS: 75, 50s: 2
The former India captain looked his fluent best, and much fitter, as was evident by his stunning saves in the third ODI. He hit two fifties to add to the Player of the Series outing Down Under in October.
Virat Kohli - 10/10
3 matches, 302 runs at 151, SR 117, HS: 135, 100s: 2, 50s: 1
A perfect series for Kohli, who seemed to have unlocked another level, putting all speculations about his future with the team to sleep. He hit 12 sixes in the series, the most he has done in any ODI series or tournament – three more than the nine he hit in the 2023 World Cup in 11 games. He was also, by far, the top run-getter and was named the Player of the Series.
Ruturaj Gaikwad - 7/10
3 matches, 113 runs at 56.50, SR 116, HS: 105, 100s: 1
Ruturaj scored his maiden ODI century in Raipur, adding 195 runs with Virat Kohli for the third wicket, after a failure in Ranchi. He wasn’t needed with the bat in the third game.
KL Rahul - 8/10
3 matches, 126 runs at 126, SR 127.27, HS: 66*, 50s: 2 | Ct: 5
Leading the side in Shubman Gill’s absence, KL once again showed why he is considered such a great team player. He batted at No.6 in the first game before returning to his preferred three-down in the second. He scored his runs at a brisk pace and also took five catches behind the stumps.
Washington Sundar - 5/10
2 matches, 14 runs at 7, SR 51.85, HS: 13
Washington struggled with the bat in both the games that he played, coming in at No.5 in Ranchi and then No.6 in Raipur. He bowled just seven overs across those two games without a wicket, before being dropped for Tilak Varma for the decider.
Ravindra Jadeja - 6/10
3 matches, 56 runs at 56, SR 119.14 HS: 32 | 1 wicket at 157, BBI: 1-50, Econ 6.28
Jadeja was entrusted with the finishing duties with India playing without Hardik Pandya. While he did well in the first game, scoring 32 off 20, he was way off in the second with a 27-ball 24 as India fell 20-30 runs short of a target that could have kept South Africa at bay. He picked up just one wicket in 25 overs.
3rd ODI, India vs South Africa
vs
- Ball by ball Over
Harshit Rana - 7/10
3 matches, 4 wickets at 44.75, BBI: 3-65, Econ 6.39
Rana had yet another assured series, on the back of some unfounded criticism he has had to cop with in a young international career. He shared the new ball with Arshdeep and created his fair share of problems for the visiting batters.
Arshdeep Singh - 8/10
3 matches, 5 wickets at 30.80, BBI: 2-54, Econ 5.50
The most economical bowler across the series, Arshdeep didn’t look out of place at all while leading an inexperienced Indian pace battery. He was the only pacer with an economy under six in the second match, where South Africa chased down a record-breaking 359.
Kuldeep Yadav - 9/10
3 matches, 9 wickets at 20.77, BBI: 4-41, Econ 6.23
Though a tad expensive, Kuldeep picked up four wickets in each of the first and third games, while the second match was one he would want to forget, where bowling in heavy dew also played its part. He finished the series as the top wicket-taker.
Prasidh Krishna - 6/10
3 matches, 7 wickets at 28.42, BBI: 4-66, Econ 7.80
The right-arm pacer was expensive with the ball, conceding 85 runs in the second ODI in 8.2 overs. His best came in the third game, where he dismissed Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock in quick succession to prevent South Africa from posting a huge score.
Tilak Varma – N/A
Tilk bowled three overs for 29 runs, but did not get to bat after being drafted in for Washington for the third ODI. The highlight of his series, however, was an acrobatic save to prevent a six in the Raipur match.
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