West Indies v India, 3rd Test: India Player Ratings

India went on to clinch a win in the final day’s play of the third Test match against the West Indies at Gros Islet. The 237-run win sees India clinch their third series against the West Indies on the spin as they now have become the first Indian side to claim a win after winning more than one Test match. However, the fact that they completely outplayed the opposition despite staring in the face of adversity is something that many future Indian teams will look to emulate in the future. While most of the Indian players made suitable contributions, we take a look at the one stand out performer from the match.

KL Rahul – 6.5/10

The 24-year old opener kept his place in the side despite the fitness of Murali Vijay. He repaid the faith in the selectors by smashing his first ever Test match half-century in the first innings. However, it remains to be seen if he can keep his place in the third Test.

Shikhar Dhawan – 5.5/10

The southpaw was one of the few automatic selections in the squad given the fact that he was one of the few left-handers in the side. However, apart from the 26 in the second innings, Dhawan made little or no impact in the match.

Virat Kohli – 3/10

A rare failure for the Indian skipper as his well-documented failure to launch in both innings with the bat brought back haunting memories of England 2014. He managed just 7 runs in total in the entire match apart from being the skipper of the side.

Ajinkya Rahane – 7.5/10

When the skipper failed to make an impact, it was the turn of the vice-captain to shape things up with the bat. Having smashed a ton in the first Test, Rahane managed yet another frivolous performance with a half-century in both innings. He remained unbeaten on 78 in the second innings as the Indians coasted to victory.

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Rohit Sharma – 6/10

With the axes swinging over the head of Cheteshwar Pujara, it was time for Rohit Sharma to step up to the plate. In spite of a failure in the first innings, Sharma made amends in the second innings with a well-made 41. However, he also dropped a catch, meaning that his fielding must improve should he make a case for himself in the following Test.

Wriddhiman Saha – 8/10

The ‘little keeper’ impressed once again with the gloves as he always does, but, it was his batting prowess that took centre stage. He came in to bat for India at a time when they were staring down the barrel in the first innings and smashed a wonderful 104 as he stitched an important partnership with Ravi Ashwin.

Ravichandran Ashwin – 8.5/10

Ashwin is quite easily the man of the series as far as the Indians are concerned. He picked yet another three wickets in the match, but, similar to Saha, it was his skills with the bat that took centre stage. He blasted his way to a fine 118 and became one of the few Indian batsmen to bring up his ton with a six.

Ravindra Jadeja – 5/10

Brought into the side in place of Amit Mishra, Ravi Jadeja rejoined his spin twin Ravi Ashwin. However, his rustiness showed as he was playing his first Test match in a long time. He made an impact with neither bat nor ball.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 7.5/10

The Indian pacer might not have terrifying pace, but, he boasts of something more dangerous – vicious swing. This swing accounted for most of the dismissals in the first innings as he picked up a rare five-wicket haul in Test matches. In short, a strong bowling performance from the 26-year old.

Mohammad Shami – 6/10

Shami was one of the few pacers to keep his place in the side in what was seen as shake up and a reshuffle in the pace attack. However, he impressed once more as he has done for the most part on this tour with some good pace and 4 wickets in the match.

Ishant Sharma – 6/10

The workhorse of the Indian team had yet another unlucky outing with the ball. However, the fact that he spearheaded the Indian pace attack and ran in with intensity.