Cricket: England vs India Test Series Ratings

Time has truly been of the essence for India and England’s players, coaches, and supporters. The opportunity for reflection is a timely one when the eventful nature that the series was played in is taken into consideration.

Whilst the Fifth Test may not have panned out as anybody would have hoped with India forfeiting the match, the series nonetheless, had an abundance of drama, quality and controversy.

From Joe Root’s sublime individual performances to Jasprit Bumrah’s lethal yorkers, there were a number of highlights that made the series so special.

So before switching our attention to the upcoming T20 World Cup in October, let’s take a final look at how each player performed.

England

Rory Burns – 6/10

Managed to hold onto his place amid a number of top-order casualties following a poor start, but looked much more comfortable when partnering with Haseeb Hameed. Scored half-centuries at Headingley and The Oval to cap a decent test for the 31-year-old.

Haseeb Hameed – 7/10

Thrown into the deep end when asked to bat at three on his return to international cricket after almost five years away. Added some steel when moved up to open with half-centuries at both Headingley and The Oval whilst improving Burns’ game too.

Dawid Malan – 7/10

Similarly to Hameed, came into the Test side after an extended absence with one eye perhaps on the upcoming Ashes tour given his previous performances. Was unfortunate not to score a ton at Headingley and looked accomplished when at the crease.

Joe Root – 10/10

Words cannot really do Joe Root’s performances any justice whatsoever, therefore he must be awarded a 10.  A class above his teammates, the captain returned to the top of the ICC Test Match batting rankings following a stellar series. Where would England be without him?

Jonny Bairstow – 5/10

Despite the stats suggesting that Bairstow’s return to the Test side has been yet another unsuccessful one, the Yorkshireman will probably not be too disheartened. He passed 25 in all but two of his seven innings but as he has done so often, he failed to capitalise.

Jos Buttler – 3/10

Buttler would have been hoping to build on a solid 18 months of Test cricket where it looked like he had finally cracked it. Going off this series, it has proved to be a false dawn, although he did miss the Fourth Test due to the birth of his daughter.

Moeen Ali – 5/10

Brought straight into the side for the Second Test at Lord’s having impressed as captain of Birmingham Phoenix throughout The Hundred. Failed to make meaningful contributions with both bat and ball. Jack Leach can count himself unlucky to have not played a match given he was named in the squad before Moeen Ali joined the camp.

Sam Curran – 2/10

A series to forget for the young all-rounder as he will be mightily disappointed with his efforts. Had a few starts with the bat but failed to pass 50 and struggled to trouble batsmen with his lack of pace and inconsistency.

Ollie Robinson – 9/10

The leading wicket-taker of the series, Robinson has proven his worth on the international stage and provided a glimpse into what England’s future could look like without Broad and Anderson. Consistent line and length alongside dangerous movement proved to be the perfect combination.

James Anderson – 8/10

He just continues to do it on the big stage. Consistently caused problems for the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane who could not deal with his masterful swing. Looks even more likely that he will play into 2022 and continue to cement his status as one of the great fast bowlers.

Dom Sibley – 3/10

In the opinion of some, Sibley’s face has just never suited Test cricket. His unorthodox, leg-side-heavy technique drew the criticism of many and ultimately cumulated in him being dropped after Lord’s after scores of 11 and 0.

Zak Crawley – 3/10

Was a relative shock that Crawley was not omitted from the side following that New Zealand series, where his mind was ever-so clearly scrambled. First Test supported that theory and he was therefore dropped.

Dan Lawrence – 3/10

Lawrence has shown in his brief Test career that he may definitely have a future in the longest format but made way for experience in a bid to solidify the batting lineup ahead of the Second test.

Ollie Pope – 7/10

Brought back into the side with the absence of Buttler and played an impressive knock on his home ground which was worthy of three figures. Has a bright future and should be on the plane to Australia.

Chris Woakes – 8/10

Do not underrate Chris Woakes. After being treated poorly during the winter, injuries and COVID-19 implications threatened to hinder the all-rounder’s summer. However, he battled back in typical fashion to produce with bat and ball at The Oval as well as sealing a County Championship win for Warwickshire.

Craig Overton – 6/10

Brought into the side following injuries to Stuart Broad and Mark Wood, Overton played his part in such a convincing win at Headingley with three wickets in both innings which is indicative of England’s bowling depth.

Mark Wood – 5/10

Played just one Test before suffering a shoulder injury and was expensive in that game at Lord’s. A victim of his captain’s adamance on bowling short to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami when it clearly wasn’t working. His pace will be key in the Ashes if he returns back from injury.

Stuart Broad – 4/10

Played the First Test before tearing his calf which ruled him out of the series. Will hope he is fit for the Ashes to headline what should be a strong attack alongside Anderson.

India

Rohit Sharma – 9/10

Silenced all his critics who thought he had no chance in English conditions. Looked solid in defence despite being caught out by the short ball on a couple of occasions and finally scored that elusive Test ton outside of India.  A true multi-format player.

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KL Rahul – 8/10

Considering the opportunity for Rahul to play Test cricket again only came about due to the misfortune of others, the 29-year-old will be mightily satisfied with his performances. His impressive 84 in the first match was followed up by a brilliant century at Lord’s before a quiet end to the series.

Cheteshwar Pujara – 6/10

Struggled to begin with but slowly acclimatised to the conditions and showed his true quality as the series grew on. Deserved a ton at Headingley and combined well with Sharma for a match-winning partnership at The Oval.

Virat Kohli – 5/10

The Indian skipper’s initial troubles were well documented as he struggled in English conditions against the likes of Anderson and Robinson. Interestingly enough, however, Kohli passed 40 in every game apart from the First Test. Recovered well with 50’s at Headingley and The Oval.

Ajinkya Rahane – 2/10

An extremely disappointing tour for Rahane which ultimately culminated in being dropped down to six. Discontent amongst supporters and two poor series against Root’s side could free up a position in that middle order which has been so consistent for a period of time.

Rishabh Pant – 4/10

Struggled to pick up from where he left off in the reverse tour earlier this year. Failed to translate his aggressive, hard-hitting, batting style into runs. Solid with the gloves. Nonetheless, it has been a positive year for Pant and he will continue to get better.

Ravindra Jadeja – 6/10

Played as the frontline spinner and was relatively ineffective as seamers made most of the breakthroughs. Did the job of holding an end and keeping it tight whilst also taking important wickets in the Fourth Test. Posted a half-century at Trent Bridge and was then moved up to five as he will be satisfied with his performances.

Shardul Thakur – 8/10

At the start of the series, you would have been shot down for claiming that Thakur would be one of his side’s most influential batsmen. However, he starred with scores of 57 and 60 after coming back into the team at The Oval, with the former key in reducing the first innings difference. Also bowled well and took the all-important fourth wicket of Root.

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Jasprit Bumrah – 9/10

Quite possibly the world’s premier bowler. Terrified English batsman with his pace, accuracy and variations. Continued his impressive record against Root and played a key part in running through the middle-order in the second innings at The Oval.

Mohammed Siraj – 7/10

Bowled well across the series and was a mainstay in the Indian team. Vital in winning the Second Test and avoiding a daw by taking the wickets of Buttler, Ali and Curran. Slightly dropped in the last two games.

Mohammed Shami – 7/10

Consistent with the ball but surprisingly made his biggest impact with the bat. Scored his highest international score of 56* in tandem with Jasprit Bumrah for a partnership worth 89 which ultimately swung the game in the tourists’ favour.

Ishant Sharma – 5/10

Proved his worth in skittling the home side for 120 after returning for the Second Test at Lord’s but massively struggled for rhythm at Headingley and went for more than four runs per over which saw him consequently dropped.

Umesh Yadav 8/10

Alongside handy runs in both innings at The Oval, Yadav made a mark in his one appearance of the series. Took three quick wickets including the scalp of Root prior to Pope steadying the ship, and then took three-for to win the match too.

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