Axar’s dream run, Ashwin being on the money again and Rohit demonstrating class on a tough pitch topped the report card for India in the third Test.
India won the third Test match of the ongoing series against England, at Ahmedabad, to take a 2-1 lead. After losing the first Tests, they made a strong comeback in the second and continued the good show in the third one as well. The pink-ball Test match finished within two days, and there was a buzz around the pitch. But while the pitch seemed a nightmare for most batsmen, Rohit Sharma seemed at ease against spin on the same surface. On the other hand, Axar Patel continued to impress, while R Ashwin entered the 400-Test-wicket club.
Axar Patel: 9
Axar had a dream Test match on his home ground. His 11 wickets are the highest for any bowler in Day-Night Tests. He bowled accurately, adding subtle variations but never overdoing it, and let the pitch do the rest to deservingly claim the Player-of-the-match award. The only glitch will be his second duck in as many games while batting.
Rohit Sharma: 9
Rohit demonstrated his class on a pitch where batting got difficult as the match went on. His 66 in India’s first innings was the highest score of the match. He also remained unbeaten on 25 in the second innings to ensure that there was no unexpected pressure.
R Ashwin: 8
Over the course of the Test, Ashwin became the second-quickest to reach 400 wickets. He was on the money from the beginning and as Axar started to pick up wickets he was happy to play the supporting role in both innings. However, it did not stop him from taking seven wickets in the match. His 17 runs in the first innings was a valuable lower-order contribution in a team score of 145.
Virat Kohli: 7
Kohli looked in control throughout his only innings. He helped Rohit add 64, a partnership in which he contributed 27. But when he was looking set, he under-edged a cut-off Jack Leach and got bowled. As captain, he introduced Axar in the seventh over despite conventional wisdom suggesting that pink-ball cricket is dominated by seamers.
Ishant Sharma: 6
Ishant celebrated his 100th Test match with a wicket in his second over. He bowled only five overs in the first innings and did not get to bowl in the second. However, he hit the first six of his career, something that was cheered heavily.
Rishabh Pant: 6
Pant was reliable behind the stumps on a difficult pitch. He conceded only one bye throughout the match and picked up two fine catches in the second innings. He could not contribute much with the bat.
Washington Sundar: 6
Coming in as a bowling all-rounder, Sundar bowled only four deliveries and claimed a wicket. He also scored a duck.
Jasprit Bumrah: 5
Bumrah just bowled six overs and finished wicketless in a Test match for the first time in his career. This is also the fewest overs he has bowled in a Test; he has never bowled under 23 overs. He caught Stuart Broad in the first innings.
Shubman Gill: 4
Gill scored 11 and an unbeaten 15. He did not look confident in the first innings as the pink ball moved around and top-edged a pull off Jofra Archer. The second innings should give him some confidence ahead of the final Test of the series.
Ajinkya Rahane: 3
Rahane looked uncomfortable during his seven runs. Apart from his 67 in the first innings of the second Test, his total contribution in the series has been just 18 runs. He would look to play a big innings in the last Test to get back to form.
Cheteshwar Pujara: 3
Pujara got a rare duck, getting out leg before wicket to the fourth delivery he faced. Like Rahane, he also has had a pretty lean series except for one big innings and would like to contribute more in the last match.