Siddhartha Vaidyanathan reviews India’s Test series and rates the players as they contributed

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan13-Dec-2007

Sourav Ganguly can rest well after a splendid series against Pakistan © AFP
Sourav Ganguly – 9.5
In his most successful series in 11 years, Ganguly probably batted better than he ever has. A mammoth 239 in Bangalore overshadowed the rest but there were two vital second-innings knocks in the first and third Test that snuffed out Pakistan’s hopes of a revival. Throw in a fairytale century in front of his doting home crowd – his first in Kolkata – and you had one of the most stirring revivals in recent memory. There were also four wickets, including an untiring spell in Delhi that provided the early opening.Wasim Jaffer – 9
Jaffer was outstanding in the opening two games. His 53 in the Delhi Test set up the run-chase but it was the towering 202 in Kolkata that will be remembered for long. He couldn’t cash in on the starts in Bangalore, and dropped a dolly of a catch when fielding at short leg in Delhi, but he provided much-needed solidity at the top of the order.VVS Laxman – 9
He began the series with his spot under threat but ended it as one of the most dependable batsmen. A match-winning 72 in Delhi was followed by an expert hundred at his favourite venue, Kolkata. It wasn’t until the third Test that Pakistan managed to dismiss him. He didn’t make an impact in Bangalore, having to retire hurt in the second innings after being hit on the elbow, but will now take on his favourite opponents – Australia – with loads of confidence.Yuvraj Singh – 8.5
Grabbing his first chance with the poise of a veteran, Yuvraj changed the dynamics of the final Test. His sizzling 169 was arguably the knock of the series, lifting India from a precarious 61 for 4 and making a mess of Pakistan’s hopes. He had a good time with the ball as well, claiming two wickets in the final afternoon of the series and raising visions of an unlikely win.Anil Kumble – 8
Bounding in with his usual fervour, Kumble enjoyed a successful first series as captain. As expected, he topped the wicket-takers’ list, with 18 victims at 26.5, and led the side in an assured manner. He had to put up with dopey pitches but never tired and pegged away till the last ball. It was fitting that he claimed his first series win in Bangalore, his home town where he was cheered heartily.Zaheer Khan – 7
An inspired spell on the fourth morning in Delhi, when the ball reverse-swung alarmingly, turned to be match-winning. He was economical in Kolkata (1 for 101 in 33.2 overs) and missed the Bangalore Test with an injury to his landing heel.Irfan Pathan – 6.5
Was called up following injuries to his fast-bowling colleagues but made the most of the chance with the bat. His maiden ton in Bangalore, which involved a big partnership with Ganguly, effectively sealed the series. He didn’t have much of an impact with the ball, preferring to bowl accurately and keep the runs down. On a pancake-like pitch it was probably his best option.Ishant Sharma – 6.5
A five-wicket haul in his second Test couldn’t have come at a better time. It vindicated Venkatesh Prasad’s faith in him and earned him a berth to Australia. He was impressive with the new ball on the third evening and mopped up the tail with some sensible bowling on the fourth morning. Clocking around 135-140kph, he showed he could use both the bouncer and yorker effectively.Sachin Tendulkar – 6
Went largely unnoticed in what was a lukewarm series. Played a key role in blunting Shoaib Akhtar on the fourth evening in Delhi and was fluent during his controlled 82 in Kolkata. It was an important knock, one where he and Jaffer set the tone for the batathon. A knee injury kept him out of the Bangalore game but he’s not one whom the Aussies will take lightly.Rahul Dravid – 6
Had a quiet series with some key contributions. A couple of dogged innings in Delhi and Bangalore were overshadowed by Ganguly’s flair and an umpiring decision cut short his knock in Kolkata. Wasn’t the Wall we’re used to seeing and saw his Test average drop below 56.Mahendra Singh Dhoni – 6
Shared an important partnership with Laxman in Delhi, when he reached fifty, and feasted on an insipid attack in Kolkata. Had a reasonably good time behind the stumps, though he was injured for the match played on the toughest pitch.Harbhajan Singh – 4
A disappointing series overall, barring a couple of good spells in Delhi and Kolkata. Harbhajan was constantly in Kumble’s shadow and operated as a partnership-breaker rather than leader of the pack. A stern test awaits in a country where he’s played only one Test.Dinesh Karthik – 4
Had a tough series with the bat and a horror of a game behind the stumps in Bangalore, admittedly on a horror of a pitch, where he set a record for the most byes conceded by an Indian wicketkeeper in a Test innings. Showed some batting form with a second-innings fifty in the final Test, one that came from No.7 rather than his usual opening slot. Sneaked into the squad for Australia but it remains to be seen if he gets a game.Munaf Patel – 3.5
Barring a short burst in Delhi, he struggled through the first two Tests and injured himself ahead of the third. Didn’t hit the back-of-a-length spot we’re accustomed to seeing from him and wasn’t penetrative enough either.Gautam Gambhir – 3
Missed out in his only chance, in Bangalore, and injured himself by the end of the game. Received a good ball from Mohammad Sami in the first innings – handing him his first wicket in the series – and was deceived by a Shoaib Akhtar slower ball in the second.