SA vs IND, 2018, 3rd T20I Cape Town: Players Rating of the Indian Team

The men in blues clinched the series beating South Africa by 7 runs in a thriller. India posted 172 runs banking on Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina. However, in reply, South Africa pulled things back late in the game but fell seven runs short. Meanwhile, India clinched the trophy beating the host 2-1 following their 5-1 win the ODIs.

South African skipper JP Duminy opted to bowl first in the series decider. India banked on a solid second wicket partnership between Dhawan (47) and Raina (43) to go past the 150-run mark. Some useful contributions down the order from Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik helped India post a challenging total.

However, in reply, South Africa fell to match up to the required run-rate. Indian bowlers bowled some tight lines as they failed to get going. However, once JP Duminy (55) started to open up, the game shifted dramatically. Debutant Christiaan Jonker (49 off 24) brilliant knock helped South Africa to close down the target, But, some tight bowling from Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the last over helped India to secure the victory by seven runs.

Meanwhile, Raina got the man of the match award for his all-round show, while Bhuvneshwar was awarded the man of the series award.

Here is the players rating from the 3rd T20I:

Rohit Sharma (C): (3.5/10)

Rohit Sharma’s poor run with the bat continues as he once again failed with the bat. Sharma got to 11 runs within 8 deliveries but failed to convert it. Meanwhile, Sharma led the Indian team in the absence of Virat Kohli.

However, he will like to forget this tour as he had only one hundred to boast about.

Shikhar Dhawan: (7.5/10)

The swashbuckling opener continued his good run with the bat as he scored 47 runs off 40 deliveries. Dhawan played the waiting game while Suresh Raina took the attack to the opposition.

Meanwhile, Dhawan will be pleased with the way he has batted in this tour. He along with Virat Kohli has done the bulk of scoring for India throughout the tour.

Suresh Raina: (8.5/10)

India’s comeback man Suresh Raina has done well so far in this series. However, his best outing came out today when he played a 27 ball 43 including five fours and a six. Raina got the man of the match award for his contribution with both bat and ball.

Meanwhile, Raina has brought stability in India’s middle-order with Kohli dropping to No 4.

Manish Pandey: (3/10)

Hero from the second game, Pandey couldn’t replicate his heroics today. He registered 13 runs from 10 balls including a six.

Meanwhile, he once carried the inconsistent tagline as he failed to score runs in back-to-back games.

Hardik Pandya: (6.5/10)

Although, he didn’t score quick runs but contributed with some useful runs on tough conditions. Pandya scored 21 runs off 17 balls down the order, thus helping India to go past 150.

With the ball, Pandya was economical bowling some tight overs in the middle. He finished with 1 for 22 in his quota of 4 overs.

MS Dhoni: (5.5/10)

Dhoni was again on course to play a blinder of an innings but didn’t get enough time to get going. He scored 12 runs from 11 balls before getting out in an attempt to clear the field. He was also spot on behind the stumps helping Rohit Sharma with the field placings.

Meanwhile, Dhoni has proved he is still good in the limited-overs game and has the ability to contribute to his team’s success.

Dinesh Karthik: (6/10)

Getting an opportunity in the last match of the tour, Karthik used it to full effect. He scored a quickfire 13 off just 6 balls to help India post a challenging total.

The wicket-keeper batsman has provided a solid backup over the years with a lot of experience behind his back.

Axar Patel: (0.5/10)

It was a bad day in business for the tall and lanky left-arm off spinner. Getting his first game of the tour, Axar was hammered for 16 runs in his only over.

Further, he will try to forget this outing and move ahead with his game.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: (7/10)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar continued his good run in the series. He claimed 2 wickets for 24 runs in his quota. Further, he kept his nerve to defend the target in the last over. Kumar picked up the important wicket of Christiaan Jonker to pull thing in India’s favor.

Kumar used the knuckle ball to perfection to deceive batsmen in this series. Kumar was awarded the man of the series award for his outstanding show with the ball.

Shardul Thakur: (5.5/10)

The young pacer from Mumbai had a good outing in this series. Although he was on the expensive side, Shardul bowled with great zeal and impressed everybody.

Further, he claimed the crucial wicket of Duminy, who was looking good to take the game away.

Jasprit Bumrah: (5/10)

Bumrah had a rare off day as he went for plenty. Although he bowled his first few overs cheaply, Jonker took the attack to him at the fag end of the game.

Further, Bumrah returned with one for 39 in his four overs as India clinched the victory.

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