England

Ben Stokes scored a total of 199 runs with an average of 20, took one wicket with an average of 17, and made four catches during the match.
Unusually, he was unable to impact even a single game with his batting or bowling abilities, but it was his leadership as captain that kept England competitive for two Tests and two days in India – a feat that has been rare in recent times. His management of the team’s young spinners was commendable, though his handling of the older spinner could have been better. He refused to let games stagnate with his creative tactics on the field, but ultimately, India’s superior experience and skill prevailed, leading to four collapses in five innings and the repetition of a familiar outcome. Overall grade: B-

Zak Crawley: 407 runs at 41

He showcased potential as England’s top scorer, setting a record for the most runs by an Englishman in the series. However, he may feel let down as he was not able to surpass 80 runs in any of his four half centuries. Unlike some of his teammates, he demonstrated the ability to adjust his mindset according to the match conditions. He maintained an aggressive approach, while also understanding the importance of staying in the game. In the four losses, he remained at the crease until the team had reached a score of 100+, highlighting the fragility of the rest of the team. Final grade: B.

Ben Duckett scored a total of 343 runs with an average of 34 and also caught four balls.
England’s “no leaves” pocket rocket made an astonishing 153 at better than a run-a-ball to bring England back into both the match and the series at Rajkot, but five subsequent innings yielded a top score of 27 as India pushed some injudicious comments back where they came from. Will he add a few sensible greens to his raw meat diet of cuts, slashes and sweeps? I doubt it, but that might mean that others might have to adjust their approach, especially in away conditions to avoid a clatter of wickets. Grade C+

Ollie Pope scored a total of 315 runs with an average of 32 and also made six catches.

The England vice-captain stood out with one remarkable feat during the first Test, scoring 196 runs and leading his team to a 28-run victory despite being behind by 190 runs. However, in his other nine innings, he struggled to cross the 40-run mark. In hindsight, it seems that he relied heavily on luck during his exceptional six-hour performance in Hyderabad. As a senior player with seven years of experience as a Test batsman, he needs to find a more consistent way to showcase his skills, as his risky and unpredictable approach may not be sustainable for a No 3 batsman. Overall, his performance is graded as a C+.

Joe Root has scored a total of 320 runs at an average of 36, taken eight wickets at an average of 51, and made 10 catches.

England’s No. 4 player demonstrated humility by setting aside his dance performances and scoring 122 and 84 runs in the last two Tests. These innings protected his team from complete disgrace. It should be noted, however, that his impressive batting skills were only visible when his captain relieved him from his primary duty of spin bowling. This responsibility may have affected his performance, leading to crucial missed catches of Jaiswal and Rohit during earlier matches in the series. It’s possible that his hands were not in the right position due to decreased focus. This unmanageable workload eventually took its toll, leading to a B- performance.

Jonny Bairstow scored 238 runs with a batting average of 24, and also made three catches.

The key player for England was unsuccessful in making a impact in the game. Out of their 10 innings, they only had eight starts and in seven of those, they scored between 25 and 39 points, trying to find their rhythm. Currently, England values having a player receive more opportunities rather than limiting their chances. This could potentially earn them a spot in the starting lineup for the match against West Indies at Lord’s in July, but it is not certain. Grade D.

Ben Foakes scored 205 runs at an average of 21, with a total of 12 catches and four stumpings.
.

The individual was selected for their talent in wicket-keeping, specifically in regards to spinning, and they successfully performed as expected with a classic demonstration of anticipation, footwork, and gentle hands. It was possible to get lost in watching their skillful technique for a significant amount of time, only to be abruptly brought back to reality by a powerful six hit over the head of the opposing bowler. However, they are not suited to playing as a counter-attacking seventh player, especially with a weak team behind them. They were graded with a B.

Tom Hartley scored 185 runs with an average of 19 and took 22 wickets at an average of 36, in addition to making two catches.

After being initially criticized by aggressive hitters who aimed to replicate Simon Kerrigan’s success, he remained composed and the captain showed bravery by maintaining his position in the team. He proved his worth by taking important wickets and earning recognition from top spin players in international cricket. He executed the strategy (employing a bold line with a high arm to create spin and bounce) flawlessly and displayed impressive focus and mental fortitude by bowling for 250 overs across five matches. Additionally, he also displayed a hint of aggressiveness in his batting. Overall, he performed at a B+ level.

James Anderson had a total of 13 runs at an average of 3 runs per game, 10 wickets at an average of 34 runs per wicket, and two catches.

The experienced racehorse excelled in adapting to diverse conditions and was able to produce wickets, despite playing in a setting unlike the one he learned in Burnley. His remarkable performance in four Tests, bowling 110 overs, illustrated the wise utilization of his team’s senior player by the captain. His 20 successive balls without conceding a run highlighted the acknowledgement given to the skilled 700-wicket player by his rivals. Grade B

Shoaib Bashir: 33 runs at 11; 17 wickets at 33; one catch

Bashir ignored the distractions from arriving late and eagerly grasped the opportunity at hand. He bowled with confidence, anticipating a wicket with each ball and relishing in his successes. He has already achieved two five-wicket hauls, showcasing his potential, and it is hoped that he will soon have the chance to bowl in county cricket to work on eliminating loose deliveries that are common at this level. His unique, dipping delivery poses a threat to left-handed batsmen and it would be beneficial for him to seek advice from Nathan Lyon during his upcoming English season. His overall performance would currently be classified as a B+.

Rehan Ahmed scored 76 runs with an average of 13, took 11 wickets at an average of 44, and made three catches.
He shows potential and confidence as a young leg-spinner, but his control needs improvement as he tends to throw more four-balls than successful deliveries. He has the opportunity to learn and develop, but his captain seemed hesitant to use him in certain situations. While he will likely have many opportunities in limited-overs cricket, his future in longer format games is uncertain. Grade C.

Despite having the boldness of a burgeoning leg-spinner, he is still struggling with control and often produces unsuccessful deliveries rather than impressive ones. With time on his side, he has the chance to improve, but his captain has not consistently chosen to use him in key moments. While he is a sure bet for white-ball cricket, his future in the longer format of the game is uncertain. Grade C: He displays potential and confidence as a young leg-spinner, but his control requires work as he tends to deliver more four-balls than successful ones. He has the potential to grow, but his captain has hesitated to use him in specific situations. Although he is set to play a lot of limited-overs cricket, his prospects in red-ball cricket are unclear. Grade C.

Mark Wood has scored 48 runs with an average of 10, and has taken four wickets with an average of 78.

In Rajkot, he managed to overthrow India’s two rising stars and provide hope for England, but he was only able to take wickets in that one inning. His impressive speed was hindered due to the lack of lateral movement in the air caused by the conditions. Score: C-

at 50

During the match, Ollie Robinson earned a score of 58 runs at an average of 29. However, he was not able to take any wickets and had an average of 50.
He batted with skill and intelligence, but he bowled like a man playing his first match in seven months, so it would be tough to judge him too harshly. People will though. Grade C

.

Jack Leach did not score any runs and his bowling statistics are not applicable. He took two wickets at an average of 48 runs per wicket.

England’s designated primary spinner once again dealt with injuries during the series. He likely took note of the aggressive bowling lines displayed by the three younger players, along with their corresponding rates of efficiency. Given this performance, the grade for the players is a C.

View image in fullscreen

India

Rohit Sharma has scored 400 runs with an average of 44 and has taken six catches.

The leader of India’s team initially struggled with his batting performance, but his exceptional skill ultimately prevailed as he scored two centuries and a fifty in the last three Tests against England. While some may criticize his defensive approach to leadership on the field compared to his predecessor, he effectively motivated and guided his team following their unexpected loss at the start of the series, without dwelling on the absence of experienced players. He received a grade A-.

Yashasvi Jaiswal finished with a batting tally of 712 runs at an average of 89. He did not take any wickets but managed to make three catches.

In the beginning of the series, many speculated if he would become the next big star in Indian cricket. Now, the question is whether he will rise to become a global cricket sensation. At the young age of 22, he possesses exceptional balance, impressive footwork, and a natural instinct for making crucial plays. His effortless ability to hit sixes puts pressure on the bowlers. Combined with his insatiable desire for scoring runs, he is the complete modern-day batsman. To truly solidify his talent, he will need to perform in unfamiliar overseas conditions, but he is more likely to follow in the footsteps of Brian Lara rather than Vinod Kambli. He is undoubtedly worthy of an A+ grade.

Shubman Gill had an impressive performance with 452 runs at an average of 57 and also made six catches.

The former star of India faced difficulties at the beginning of the series, often hitting the ball outside the boundary and getting caught off guard. Despite facing criticism, he silenced his detractors with a vital century in the second innings at Vizag, helping India out of a difficult situation. This boosted his morale and he continued to perform well. He received a grade of A-.

; two balls.

Sarfaraz Khan scored 200 runs at an average of 50, while also making three catches and two ball contributions.

After a heartfelt cap ceremony with his emotional father, the prolific scorer from local cricket finally received his opportunity to play. He grabbed it with tenacity, scoring three half-centuries in three Tests. His jubilant celebrations after catching balls near the boundary are truly enjoyable to witness. At 26 years old, he is now part of the upcoming group of talented Indian batsmen. He has been graded B+.

Devdutt Padikkal scored 65 runs and took two catches during the game.
Padikkal was brought in to do a job against a tiring side in the fifth Test and he did it. He will now line up in the logjam of batting talent at Sharma’s disposal. Grade B+

Dhruv Jurel scored 190 runs with an average of 63. He also made five catches and two stumpings.
Where did he come from? In just two years, he has progressed from a first-class debut to the Test XI, looking as gifted on one side of the crease as the other. In an era when international keepers are often selected for their batting and expected to learn the glovework on the job, he is a breath of fresh air. Rishabh Pant is now close to full fitness, but may end up playing as a specialist batter if Jurel continues at this level. Grade A

KS Bharat: 92 runs at 23; six catches

Bharat did not make significant mistakes, but due to two unremarkable performances, he was replaced by a more talented player, as is expected in professional sports. It may be a difficult journey ahead for the 30-year-old. Grade C+.

balls

KL Rahul scored 108 runs in 54 balls.
Unfortunately, due to injury, this player’s impressive performance in his single Test match was short-lived. He received a B+ grade.

Shreyas Iyer scored 104 runs with an average of 26 and also made one catch.

Another individual who was penalized for not being able to turn four opportunities into a significant performance is now 14 Tests behind since his first century. He still has a chance to make a comeback, but it is uncertain if the next generation of players in their early 20s will take over in the post-Kohli, post-Rohit era. Given a C- score.

Rajat Patidar scored 63 runs with an average of 11 and also made four catches.

After being substituted in for KL Rahul in the initial Test, he was subsequently excluded by the fifth match, appearing to struggle with the magnitude of the task. Like his peer, KS Bharat, one should refrain from definitively ruling out the possibility, although it may occur. Assigned a grade of D.

Ravindra Jadeja scored 232 runs with an average of 39, took 19 wickets with an average of 25, and made one catch.

“He has consistently performed at a high level for a long time, similar to his spin partner. It’s easy to forget his exceptional skills, but his contribution cannot be ignored. He played a crucial role in the third Test, scoring a century to save India from a difficult start and then taking five wickets to prevent England from making a comeback. Though he didn’t score many runs, his bowling was valuable. Overall, he deserves a grade B+.”

“In the current season, Ravichandran Ashwin has scored 116 runs with an average of 17. He has also taken 26 wickets with an average of 25 and completed one catch.”

The experienced spin bowler appeared to be less dominant in the initial games of the series, possibly due to being preoccupied with personal matters that required a day off during the Rajkot Test. However, he came back with a renewed competitive spirit that has been a defining quality in his 100 matches and proved too cunning for England, earning 15 wickets and helping India achieve a 4-1 record. He received a Grade B rating.

Kuldeep Yadav performed well, scoring 97 runs and taking 19 wickets with an average of 20.

Can you believe that seven years after his debut, he still manages to surprise us? He was brought in as a replacement for the injured Jadeja in Vizag and proved to be an adept left-arm wrist spinner, earning himself a spot on the team even after Axar was removed. His bowling was energetic and his batting was disciplined, taking crucial wickets with tricky deliveries that were difficult for England’s batters to read. He also had a nasty slider that often found its way to the edge of the bat. His ability to take wickets at a better average and strike rate than his talented fellow spinners is a testament to his skill. Overall, he has performed at a Grade A- level.

During the match, Axar Patel scored a total of 133 runs with an average of 33. He also took five wickets with an average of 41 and made one catch.
England had no answer to his scuttling flying saucer ball last time round, but pitches much more conducive to an even battle between bat and ball nullified his threat and he gave way to the bouncing Kuldeep. He made handy runs, but he’s no No 6 in any Test side. Grade C+

Mohammed Siraj scored 15 runs with an average of 15, took six wickets with an average of 46, and made two catches.
Bustled in with his usual aggression, his four wickets in the first innings at Rajkot snuffing out any chance of an unlikely first-innings revival. He bowled only 67 overs across four Tests, which suggests that his captain had better options most of the time – and he did. Grade C+

Jasprit Bumrah had a total of 58 runs with an average of 12, took 19 wickets with an average of 17, and also made four catches.
One of which was the peerless spearhead of India’s attack, his 19 wickets at 17 an absurd outlier among the pacers on show. His nine wickets at Vizag dragged India back into the series, rightly securing the player of the match award ahead of double-centurion, Jaiswal. His ability to find bounce and movement on unresponsive pitches from a snapping wrist and supreme control is as impressive as any bowler in India since (at least) Dale Steyn. He is India’s best opening bowler since Kapil Dev and may go on to surpass even his standing in the sport. Grade A

Akash Deep: nine runs at 9; three wickets at 28; one catch

He had a fantastic start in Test cricket, taking out the top three players from the England team in Ranchi. However, he did not bowl in the second innings and was replaced by Bumrah for the final Test. B- grade.

overs

Mukesh Kumar did not score any runs and took one wicket after 70 overs.

It was his first appearance in Vizag and he seemed to lack pace, which may have been a sentiment shared by his captain as he only bowled 12 costly overs. He was not chosen to play again. His performance received a D grade.

Source: theguardian.com