India-South Africa 3-Test series report card

Let’s take a moment to evaluate how players from both the nations fared in the 3-Test series. Players have been rated on a scale of 10.

India:

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1). Virender Sehwag: 8

The Nawab of Najagarh’s triple-century in the Chennai Test and his valuable contribution with the ball in the third Test were crucial to help his nation draw the series.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50
3	5	0	372	319	74.40	1	-

2). Wasim Jaffer: 2

The Mumbai opener was not at his best and rarely came to the party.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50
3	5	0	126	73	25.20	-	1

 

3). Rahul Dravid: 6

‘The Wall’ was the third highest run-getter for India in the three Test matches. Surpassed a personal milestone of 10,000 runs in Test cricket during the first Test in Chennai.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50
3	5	1	178	111	44.50	1	-

 

4). VVS Laxman: 4

This Very Very Special batsman was yet another under-achiever in the series, that’s until the Kanpur Test, where he batted with utmost ease on what many termed a ‘minefield’.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50
3	4	-	127	50	31.75	-	1

 

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5). Sourav Ganguly: 7.5

The former skipper showed everybody that ‘class remains forever’ as he crafted a magnificent 87 runs to guide his side to victory in the 3rd Test.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50
3	5	1	211	87	52.75	-	2

 

6). Mahendra Singh Dhoni: 6

Although a disappointment with the bat, Dhoni showed that his glovework has improved leaps and bounds since his Test debut; his captaincy skills too impressed in the Final Test in Kanpur.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50	Ct	St
3	4	-	114	52	28.50	-	1	3	1

7). Yuvraj Singh: 5

In the solitary opportunity given to him, Yuvraj scored a gutsy 32 runs and was involved in a timely 65-run stand with Ganguly in the Kanpur Test.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50
1	1	-	32	32	32	-	-

 

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8). Harbhajan Singh: 9

The ‘Turbanator’ did an exceptional job of spearheading the bowling attack. Harbhajan was the most successful bowler in the three Test series with 19 wickets.

Mtch	Inns	Ov	Mdns	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Avg
3	5	172.5	26	19	5/164	8/265	26.10

 

9). Sreesanth: 4

The ‘Kerala Express’ was below par with the red cherry throughout the series. Although he looked out of place in the first two Tests, it all came together in the Final Test in Kanpur, where he picked up the important wicket of Neil McKenzie in the South African second innings; his 29 in India’s first innings could be considered a vital contribution in India’s win.

Matches	Inns	Overs	Maidens	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Avg
3	5	81	13	4	2/87	2/87	68.50

 

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10). Ishant Sharma: 6.5

A late addition to the Indian team, the lanky Delhi pacer showed everyone that he has the caliber to do well on flat Indian tracks as well.

Mtch	Inns	Ov	Mdns	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Avg
1	2	22.3	3	5	3/55	5/73	14.60

 

11). Piyush Chawla: 4.5

The young leggie supported Harbhajan well in the first innings of Kanpur Test by picking the crucial wickets of McKenzie and AB de Villiers.

Matches	Inns	Overs	Maidens	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Avg
1	2	20	3	2	2/66	2/84	42

 

12). Anil Kumble: 3

An unfit Indian Test skipper was hapless in the series as he managed to take just four wickets in the two Tests.

Matches	Inns	Overs	Maidens	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Avg
2	3	98	15	4	2/106	3/163	60.25

 

13). Sachin Tendulkar: 2

The ‘little master’ was an unfortunate candidate to miss out on the action throughout the series. In his single outing during the first Test, he got out for a disappointing duck.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50
1	1	-	0	0	0	-	-

 

14). RP Singh: 2

RP Singh was the biggest disappointment in the series as he didn’t take any wickets in the two Tests he played in.

Matches	Inns	Overs	Maidens	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Avg
2	3	58	4	0	-	-	-

 

15). Irfan Pathan: 2

The all-rounder from Baroda failed to make any impact in the second Test and was one of the let-down in the series.

Matches	Inns	Overs	Maidens	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Avg
1	1	21.2	3	0	0	0	-

 

South Africa:

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1). Neil McKenzie: 8

Neil McKenzie has shown remarkable quality as a Test opener since his comeback last month. The right-hander ended the series as the second highest-scorer.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50
3	5	1	341	155*	85.25	1	1

 

2). Graeme Smith: 7

The Protea skipper displayed excellent technique and skills in the series, but never once converted his starts into big scores.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50
3	5	-	246	73	49.20	-	2

 

3). Hashim Amla: 7

Amla has been an excellent find for the South African team.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50
3	5	-	307	159	61.40	1	2

 

4). Jacques Kallis: 6

The talismanic all-rounder wasn’t at his peak in the series but an outstanding ton in Ahmedabad ensured his side emerged victorious.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50
3	5	-	180	132	36	1	-

 

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5). AB de Villiers: 7.5

AB de Villers has really come off age in this series and his record double century in the second Test was instrumental in South Africa clinching the match.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50
3	5	1	304	217*	36	1	-

 

6). Ashwell Prince: 2

The southpaw was the biggest disappointment of them all; managed a meager 68 runs in five innings.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50
3	5	1	68	23	17	-	-

 

7). Mark Boucher: 3

A dreadful series, this experienced wicketkeeper was below par, both in front of the stumps, and behind the stumps, in all three Test matches.

Matches	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	100	50	Ct	St
3	5	1	136	70	34	-	1	5	1

 

8). Morne Morkel: 5.5

Apart from Steyn, Morne Morkel seemed like the other bowler who troubled the Indian batsmen with his crisp and lively pace.

Matches	Inns	Overs	Maidens	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Avg
3	5	71	8	8	3/63	4/71	31.75

 

9). Paul Harris: 5

The tall left-arm spinner bowled his heart out on this tour but was unlucky to end up with just 8 wickets in three Test matches.

Matches	Inns	Overs	Maidens	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Avg
3	4	116	18	8	3/101	4/137	51

 

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10). Dale Steyn: 8

Dale Steyn has been in the form of his life and continued his great run on this tour too by taking 15 wickets and ending up as the second highest wicket-taker in the series.

Mtch	Inns	Ov	Mdns	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Avg
3	5	85	7	15	5/23	8/114	20.20

11). Makhaya Ntini: 6

The Proteas pace spearhead was brilliant in spells, but failed to keep the same intensity throughout the series.

Matches	Inns	Overs	Maidens	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Avg
3	5	72.2	14	10	3/18	6/62	24.20