India v South Africa 2015, 5th ODI – Player Ratings

India v South Africa 2015, 5th ODI – Player Ratings: South Africa completely floored India to convincingly lift the Paytm Freedom Series. MS Dhoni would not have even thought of such a brutal assault from the South African batsmen. The Proteas soared to the highest total in the five matches played in this series, the highest at Wankhede and the highest against India.

To be sensible, it was a one-sided affair if we exclude the exclusive innings played by Ajinkya Rahane. The Indian bowlers were lacklustre and had no answers today. Overall, India failed to even challenge South Africa today.

India:

Rohit Sharma – 2.5/10:

Fans were expecting another double hundred from him today (insensible to ask for such incredible feats every time). But he was expected to give a decent start that would have at least made the fans hope against hope that India could win the match. But, his early departure was a big setback for India while chasing a colossal target of 438 runs.

Shikhar Dhawan – 6/10:

Shikhar Dhawan was decent with the bat but something special was expected from him today. After the dismissal of Rohit Sharma, he got into the groove and steadied India’s batting with Ajinkya Rahane, forming a 112 runs partnership in 89 balls. Unfortunately, he got out on 60 after getting brilliantly caught by Hashim Amla in the outfield.

Virat Kohli – 2/10:

All hopes were pinned on Virat Kohli after Rohit got out. He also showed his intent by hitting a six soon after coming to the crease. But, he got out after trying to wildly chase a wide full-length delivery by Rabada. India’s hopes got seriously dented after his fall.

Ajinkya Rahane – 8/10:

Rahane played one of the best innings of his life.  He looked in great rhythm was the only batsman who actually looked like a threat to the South Africans today. De Villiers had a sigh of relief after he was caught by Behardien at long on and was finally out for a valiant 80 off just 58 balls.

Suresh Raina – 2.5/10:

Raina raised some hope after hitting some good shots. However, He could not stay long on the crease and was bowled around his legs by a Yorker from Rabada before he could actually become something like a threat for the Proteas.

MS Dhoni – 5/10:

MS Dhoni had come out to play a lost battle. He also looked very off colour and had absolutely no chance to turn the match. He cannot be blamed for anything, he was carrying an inopportune burden on him.

Axar Patel – 2.5/10:

Axar Patel was below ordinary with the ball. He was clobbered for 78 runs in his 10 overs. The more disappointing part was that he could not even pick a wicket in return. He was hardly effective with the ball in his hand and was actually looked as an opportunity to score when was at the opposite end to bowl.

Harbhajan Singh – 2.5/10:

Harbhajan was also not an exception today. He finished with figures of 0/70 in 10 overs. It was surely was not up to his standards. He should have put his experience into play today and must have found some way to provide breakthroughs or at least contain the run flow.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 1/10:

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the bowler who had to face the wrath of the carnage by South African batsmen. He was absolutely helpless today. First Quinton de Kock, then Faf du Plessis and lastly AB de Villiers, collectively tore him apart one by one. He was specially treated in the right way for his brainless dull bouncers and half pitched bowling to the South African giants. He ended with the disappointing figures of 1/106.

Mohit Sharma – 2/10:

We could repeat the same thing again and again to describe Indian bowlers today. Mohit began well by dismissing Hashim Amla. But, after that he had an ill-fated day with the ball finished with awful figures of 1/84.

Amit Mishra – 2/10:

Being a leg spinner, it was expected from him that he would contain the flourishing South African batting. However, he was also a disappointment today. He gave away 78 runs in his quota and failed to even pick a solitary wicket.

South Africa:

Quinton de Kock – 9/10:

India seems to be de Kock’s favourite opposition. He score his 3^rd century of the series and overall his 5^th against the Men in Blue. He laid the perfect launch pad for his more destructive seniors to come. He scored a blazing 109 from 87 balls. He was aptly adjudged as the Man of the Match.

Hashim Amla – 4/10:

Hashim Amla had an off day at the office. But you have nothing to worry you have some extraordinarily talented team mates. He reached a special milestone by becoming the fastest batsman to reach 6000 runs.

Faf du Plessis – 10/10:

Faf battled severe muscle cramps and played a fighting century. He was in such good form that even the unbearable pain could not stop him from hammering the Indian bowlers for boundaries and sixes. Du Plessis played a fantastic knock of 133 from 115 balls and was the bowler who killed the confidence of the Indian bowlers before AB de Villeirs launched his onslaugth.

AB de Villiers – 10/10:

AB de Villiers was the man behind ‘Mumbai Massacre.’ There is only one question to ask to this guy, is he even human? He makes hitting sixes look like child’s play. He scored 119 runs in just 61 deliveries studded with 11 sixes and just 3 boundaries. The numbers explain the carnage which was on display today. Full marks to him for his performance today just as a batsman, without even taking a moment to think and even without considering the strategies he pulled out as skipper to knock India down.

David Miller – 7/10:

Miller did not have much to do. But, he played his role perfectly. He gave the finishing touches to the amazing batting innings. Miller added 22 runs from 12 balls coming in after the Faf du Plessis returned retired hurt.

Farhaan Behardien – 6/10:

Behardien also cashed in on the opportunity. He scored 16 off 10 deliveries which included 2 sixes. In the second innings, he bowled decently and returned with the figures of 0/55.

Dean Elgar – 4/10:

Elgar did not really have a substantial chance to bat today, he scored 5 from the 2 balls he faced. Not a game you would want to judge him on the basis of

Dale Steyn – 6/10:

Dale Steyn had a very satisfactory day on the field today. He returned with the figures of 3/38. Not to forget, the important wicket of Ajinkya Rahane he got in his second spell, which neglected the slightest of the chance India had. Later he came back to send tail enders Axar Patel and Harbhajan Singh to quickly finishing the match.

Kagiso Rabada – 9/10:

Kagiso Rabada is the gem which South Africa have unearthed in the series. Just like the rest of the concluded series, he had an amazing day with the ball in this match too. Rabada first got the initial breakthrough and then came back to deliver with wickets when his captain gave him the ball for the second time. He finished with extremely satisfying numbers of 4/ 41.

Imran Tahir – 7/10:

In sharp contrast to India, Imran Tahir with the figures of 2/50 in 7 overs was the most expensive bowler today for South Africa. Tahir took the wicket of MS Dhoni who was batting with a dim hope of salvaging some pride. Tahir definitely made his contribution in the game and did not let any batsman get easy runs.

Kyle Abbott – 7/10:

Kyle Abbott had a decent with the ball finishing up with the figures of 1/39. He landed the first blow to India by picking up the key wicket of Rohit Sharma in the 5^th over.