Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Couldn’t this series end at three matches?
The last two ODIs were so disappointing from a neutral’s perspective, after a series that promised plenty after the third ODI. But, credit to India on flexing their muscle to outlast the Windies significantly, finishing off with the most comprehensive nine wicket win you’ll see.
Kohli and co., it’s time to come to Australia and face the real test. The Marsh brothers are waiting for you.
In this piece, I will go through each player in the series and rate them out of ten. As always, have a laugh (please), and feel free to leave a comment!
India
Rohit Sharma: One of the only blokes in world cricket who scores a 162 in an ODI, which ends up being regarded as a missed double. Rohit was too good for the Windies for the most part, amassing 389 runs at 129.66, with a SR 118.96. No mercy. 9
Shikhar Dhawan: One of India’s disappointments this series. How’s @dhawanswarrior doing? 5
Virat Kohli: Went past 10,000 ODI runs this series, and was the quickest ever to do so. Thanks to the West Indies’ horrific batting performance in the fifth ODI, Fakhar Zaman’s record of 515 runs in a five match ODI series is safe. Three centuries this series, with a total of 453 runs at 151, with a SR of 112.96. Men against boys. 9.5
Ambati Rayudu: To say India have solved their number four conundrum is perhaps premature, but it was a good series from the CSK man. It’s his spot to lose now. 8
MS Dhoni: Here is a million dollar opportunity for you: Create a home security system that is as safe as MS Dhoni’s place in the side. You’ll be rich in no time. A disappointing series with the bat from MS, but excellent again behind the stumps. 3
Kedar Jadhav: Batted a total of seven balls in this series on his return to injury. He must have felt like Adil Rashid in the Lord’s Test against India earlier this year. N/A
Ravindra Jadeja: Four of his seven wickets were in the last game. With MS Dhoni struggling for batting form, Jadeja’s inclusion in the side will remain important. 7
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Slowly found his groove by the end of the series, after returning in the third ODI. Just one away from 100 ODI wickets. 5
Kuldeep Yadav: Leading wicket taker and spun some of the Windies batsmen into a web so large that it wouldn’t be out of place in…. yep – Central Australia. Marlon Samuels, we are looking at you… And, remember when India left him out in the first ODI? Big no-no. 8.5
Khaleel Ahmed: Plenty of promise, and looks superb when swinging the ball like a banana. Doing it consistently will be the key, but the potential is there. 7
Jasprit Bumrah: Adds so much to the India attack. His delivery to get rid of Shai Hope had the man jumping as if to avoid a swarm of bees. Impressive as ever. 8
Other squad members:
Rishabh Pant: Victim of the strong MS Dhoni security system. We’ll see more of this kid. 3
Umesh Yadav: Not nice of Umesh to have RCB reliving IPL nightmares. 2
Mohammed Shami: “Get him away from the white ball”, screamed the India fans. With good reason. Let him stick to the red ball, where he is a threat. 2
Yuzendra Chahal: Quality bowler kept out of the side because India need to play a less threatening bowler who can bat a little to keep an out of form batsman in the side. That’s my take on it. Whether you agree or not, that’s fine. 5
West Indies
Chandrapaul Hemraj: Faced 75 deliveries across four games. Even those who know only a little bit of cricket reckon that’s not quite the return for an ODI opener. 2
Kieran Powell: Hit the ball around with purpose in the Tests, but was so out of balance with the bat this series that it reminded me of my days on the Nintendo Wii Fit. 2
Shai Hope: Has to understand how talented he is. Superb efforts in the first three ODIs, but like his side, fell away in the final two. The Windies can have Hope in Shai. 7.5
Marlon Samuels: If I can find a pillow as soft as some of Marlon’s dismissals this series, I’d be a happy man. I’ll sleep like a baby. For a player with such experience, as well as a fine record in India, it was a really disappointing series, topped off by a horror dismissal in the fifth ODI where even Virat Kohli didn’t celebrate. Yes. Kohli didn’t celebrate. 1
Shimron Hetmyer: Like Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer was superb in the first three ODIs, but fell away. A great effort from the young lad, and the fall away in the Windies’ performance is more reflective of the rest of the side than of he and Hope. 7.5
Rovman Powell: The “mini-Andre Russell”, they reckon. I didn’t see it. 2
Jason Holder: A double figure score with the bat in every ODI, but only two wickets, which was a dampener. Tried his best, as always, but needs more support. 5
Fabian Allen: 19 runs, no wickets, 109 runs conceded. Don’t think that’s the most sparkling performance you’ll see. 1
Keemo Paul: 12 overs in the series for 110 runs. I have made my gold digger joke in the past, but despite the risk of not being original, I have to bring it out. Keemo Paul was more expensive than a gold digger. 1
Devendra Bishoo: Decent effort in the tied second ODI, but for an experienced player, not much to write home about. 3
Kemar Roach: Largely ineffective, but he did shock the world, dismissing Virat Kohli for less than 20 in the fourth ODI. 4.5
Oshane Thomas: I hope the Windies take care of Thomas, as there is potential there. Played just the two games, and was expensive. 3
Other squad players:
Obed McCoy: Promised at times with his variation, but you can refer to Keemo Paul’s rating regarding economy rate. 2
Ashley Nurse: Magnificent during the Windies’ third ODI win, but his performances weren’t as sustained as the Windies needed. 4
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So, there we have it. India, predictably, proved too good in the end, but this series wasn’t short of meme moments.
Hope you enjoyed this player ratings article. Thanks for reading!
