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India v/s New Zealand: How Team India stands on 'different shades of blue'

G Krishnan rates the men who kept the record intact

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Indian Captain MS Dhoni celebrate with his team after their victory over New Zealand during the 5th ODI cricket match in Visakhapatnam on Saturday
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New Zealand had never won an ODI series in India. That was on the verge of being broken when the series was locked at 2-2, but India won the 5th ODI convincingly. Let's take a look at how Men in Blue faired to keep the record intact.

Rohit Sharma (3/10)

A series that he will like to forget for running scores of 14, 15, 13, 11 in the first four matches. Thankfully, he avoided a total embarrassment by avoiding being out for 12 that would otherwise have completed the sequence of scores from 11-15. He salvaged pride by scoring 70 in his mother's native Visakhapatnam, that laid the platform for India's 3-2 series win.

> M 5, I 5, R 123, Hs 70, Ave 24.60, SR 77.84, 1x50, Ct 3

Ajinkya Rahane (3/10)

The only fifty in the series in a losing cause in the fourth ODI was a mere consolation and an assurance that he can open well in ODIs. But that is until either Shikhar Dhawan or KL Rahul return fully fit. Converting his 57 in Ranchi into a bigger score could have clinched the series for India there itself and not wait for the decider.

> M 5, I 5, R 143, Hs 57, Ave 28.60, SR 70.79, 1x50, Ct 5

Virat Kohli (8/10)


The man is well and truly on his way to being the greatest. He only seems to take batting to a newer level every time he walks out to bat, especially while chasing. It is clear. When he scores, India win. When he doesn’t, India lose. Too much dependent on Kohli to see the team through, and the Delhiite is ready to take it up. Series top-scorer by miles, with second best, Tom Latham 114 runs behind.

> M 5, I 5, R 358, Hs 154*, Ave 119.33, SR 100.84, 1x100, 2x50, 2 ct

MS Dhoni (5/10)


There were many fingers pointing at Dhoni. India under him have lost three of the last four ODI series under him before this series. His captaincy was questioned. His batting at No. 4 was debated. He consumed too many deliveries and by his own admission, found it tough to rotate strike. He silenced many by winning the series as India maintained a 100 per cent winning record in bilateral series against the Kiwis at home. His flashy stumpings have not yet deserted him at 35.

> M 5, I 5, R 192, Hs 80, Ave 38.40, SR 71.11, 1x50, Ct 6, St 3

Manish Pandey (2/10)

He scored the winning run in Mohali and finished the match, alright. But he had Kohli at the other end and Dhoni, who had set up the run-chase with their mammoth stand. But in Delhi and Ranchi, when the opportunity to see the team through was in front of him, he succumbed. Or for that matter, falling for a duck in the final ODI. Will only do well to learn from this experience.

> M 5, I 5, R 76, Hs 28*, Ave 19.00, SR 77.55, Ct 1

Kedar Jadhav (6/10)


He filled in beautifully for the indisposed Suresh Raina as a part-time spinner and No. 6 batsman. Was more effective with the ball, picking up wickets almost every time he was given the ball. But when it came to finishing matches, he did not bring his batting prowess to the fore. Learnt from his mistakes quickly to guide India to comfort in the final ODI. 

> M 5, I 4, R 90, Hs 41, Ave 45.00, SR 103.44, Ct 3, 

> Wkts 6, Ave 12.16, Eco 4.05, Best 3/29

Hardik Pandya (4/10)

Had a dream debut with a man-of-the-match award to cap it. He is identified as a potential finisher for India in ODIs and showed it in Delhi that he can handle pressure when chasing. But is yet to do it successfully what Dhoni used to do, finishing matches for India. Like Pandey and Jadhav, will get richer with experience.

> M 4, I 2, R 45, Hs 36, Ave 22.50, SR 100.00, Ct 2

> Wkts 4, Ave 35.25, Eco 5.42, Best 3/31

Axar Patel (6/10)


He was more effective with the ball, forming an ideal pair with leg-spinner Amit Mishra, bowling a wicket-to-wicket line. Though he may not have wickets to show (only 4), he posed problems aplenty to the Kiwi batsmen. Also a handy batsman as he showed it in Ranchi, where he was promoted to No. 5, and in Vizag, where he scored vital runs. Though, will learn to not throw away his wicket when well set.

> M 5, I 3, R 79, Hs 38, Ave 26.33, SR 98.75, Ct 1 

> Wkts 4, Ave 46.50, Eco 4.30, Best 2/9

Umesh Yadav (6/10)


He bowled quick. Showed he was a much better ODI bowler than he was in the preceding Test series. Provided the early breakthroughs, particularly Martin Guptill. The beauty with which he bowled Guptill with the second ball in Delhi, and a repeat in Vizag off the fifth ball will remain etched in memory for a long time.

> M 5, Wkts 8, Ave 29.50, Eco 5.75, Best 3/75

Amit Mishra (8/10)


He was to bowling what Kohli was to batting in the series. Easily the best bowler in the series, Mishra took wickets in every match, a majority of them top-order batsmen. Not easy to play matches after warming the bench in Tests. But his experience and wicket-taking abilities were not lost at all. Requires some improvement in the outfield but one cannot blame him.

> M 5, Wkts 15, Ave 14.33, Eco 4.79, Best 5/18

Jasprit Bumrah (5/10)

He has only grown richer with every outing. Has a potent yorker that has everybody admire his bowling. He has made an impact in his first year of international cricket. And, with an economy rate of under 4.04, he is ideal for limited-overs in all conditions.

> M 4, Wkts 6, Ave 22.00, Eco 4.04, Best 3/35

Dhawal Kulkarni (3/10)


Not easy for someone who is playing a game for India here and there. It showed in his bowling, when Martin Guptill took him apart from the first over in Ranchi. He showed his batting skills to narrow the margin of defeat. Has to do much more to be a first-choice new-ball bowler and not merely be a tourist as a net bowler.

> M 1, Wkts 1, Ave 59.00, Eco 8.42, Best 1/59

Jayant Yadav (3/10)

Had everything going his way in his only appearance in the series. Made his mother proud by wearing her name, Lakshmi, and making his international debut in Visakhapatnam. Took a simple catch to dismiss Tom Latham and dismissed the dangerous Corey Anderson with a straight ball that the left-hander offered a poor shot. Will be tested when England come calling in January for ODIs.

> M 1, Wkts 1, Ave 8.00, Eco 2.00, Best 1/8

NOTE: Mandeep Singh was in the 14-member squad but did not get a single game. Suresh Raina was originally named in the squad but was kept out as he had not fully recovered from viral fever. No replacement in the squad was made for him.

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