From Gambhir to Ashwin, we rate Team India's performance against Kiwis

KL RAHUL (6/10)

The 24-year-old tall opener from Karnataka has been in a roaring form, scoring consistently in all formats of the game. He was the first choice opener with Murali Vijay against New Zealand and set the tempo for the series, scoring briskly in Kanpur, with strike rate in excess of 75. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury ruled him out of the remaining Tests. He should be an automatic choice when he returns fully fit for the England series.
M: 1; I: 2; R: 70; Hs: 38; Ave: 35.00; SR: 78.65; 100: 0; 50: 0; Cts: 0

MURALI VIJAY (4/10)

The dependable opener did not finish the series in the manner in which he began. After two fifties in Kanpur, and each time looking good for centuries, he had a lean run in Kolkata and Indore. Vijay, the only constant figure among Nos. 1-2 as India went with three different opening combinations in each of the Tests, has gone 16 Test innings without a century. Failures in Kolkata and Indore are reminders that he needs to score big, otherwise there are reserve openers breathing down the neck.
M: 3; I: 6; R: 186; Hs: 76; Ave: 31.00; SR: 41.89; 100: 0; 50: 2; Cts: 3

SHIKHAR DHAWAN (2/10)

Before the series began, he lost out on the opener's slot to KL Rahul for lack of big scores. Even in the only chance he got in Kolkata, ahead of the recalled Gautam Gambhir following injury to Rahul, he did not make good with scores of one and 17. He, though, looked good in the second innings, taking blows to his thumb from Trent Boult. The thumb injury ruled him out of the third Test. He needs to score heavily in whatever games he gets to play in order to barge into the Test XI.
M: 1; I: 2; R: 18; Hs: 17; Ave: 9.00; SR: 42.85; 100: 0; 50: 0; Cts: 0

GAUTAM GAMBHIR (5.5/10)

Playing a Test match after two years is not easy. But Gambhir brought in his vast experience and also had the backing of good scores in the domestic cricket and straightaway got into the groove. An automatic choice to open with Vijay after Dhawan was ruled out, Gambhir made it a decent comeback with a fifty in the second innings in Indore despite hurting his shoulder. And, he scored them at a good pace.
M: 1; I: 2; R: 79; Hs: 50; Ave: 39.50; SR: 72.47; 100: 0; 50: 1; Cts: 0

CHETESHWAR PUJARA (8/10)

Much had been unnecessarily made of his slow scoring in Tests. But, the team management had no such complaints. They let him bat freely. And Pujara, who looked good every time to score a century after crossing fifty in the first three innings of the series, finally got there with a memorable 101* in Indore. The highest run-getter in the series showed that he can score at a brisk pace when the team really needed him to. Pujara has only enhanced his stature as a solid No. 3.
M: 3; I: 6; R: 373; Hs: 101*; Ave: 74.60; SR: 50.20; 100s: 1; 50s: 3; Cts: 1

VIRAT KOHLI (9/10)

Even when his personal form was being dissected as he went through a series of innings without touching fifty since the 200 he scored in Antigua, he was going through his workouts devotedly and felt good about his touch. In an innings atypical of him, he broke the jinx of having no century in the series by scoring his career-best in Indore – 211. He was determined to make big once he reached 100. Besides, his captaincy-graph has only been rising, leading India to a fourth series win since taking over the mantle from MS Dhoni.
M: 3; I: 6; R: 309; Hs: 211; Ave: 51.50; SR: 57.54; 100: 1; 50: 0; Cts: 3

AJINKYA RAHANE (8/10)

Rahane has been the catalyst to the Indian middle-order in recent times, what with the top-order losing wickets in a hurry. His partnership with Pujara in Kolkata was a sign of big things to come. And, it came in Indore when he shared a record fourth-wicket stand of 365 with captain Kohli. A knock split into two days, the first being a struggle, and the second overcoming it. Unlucky to miss out on a maiden double century. Continued to be a safe slip catcher, as he showed in the New Zealand first innings in Indore.
M: 3; I: 6; R: 347; Hs: 188; Ave: 69.40; SR: 51.02; 100: 1; 50: 1; Cts: 4

Rohit Sharma (7/10)

Questions were raised about his inability to make big scores despite umpteen chances in Tests. But the team management believes in him to do the role of batting with the lower-order and also score at a brisk rate. His 82 in the second innings when chips were down was worth its weight in gold. That also silenced his critics. His other two fifties may have come when India were already in a dominating position but he has justified the faith the management has in him.
M: 3; I: 5; R: 238; Hs: 82; Ave: 79.33; SR: 64.85; 100: 0; 50: 3; Cts: 2

R Ashwin (9.5/10)

Superlative performance from the Tamil Nadu off-spinner is only an understatement. Twenty seven wickets in the series, becoming the second quickest to 200 Test scalps, picking up his best innings and match figures, Ashwin was unstoppable. As is his style, he out-thought the Kiwis, collected a bunny in their captain Kane Williamson, dismissing him four out of four times. He was not required to bail the team out with the bat, though runs in Kanpur were crucial.
M: 3; I: 3; R: 71; Hs: 40; Ave: 23.66; SR: 53.78; 100: 0; 50: 0; Cts: 4
Wkts: 27; Ave: 17.77; ER: 3.27; SR: 32.5; Best: 7/59; 5WI: 3; 10WM: 2

WRIDDHIMAN SAHA (7/10)

The darling of the Indian team, the diminutive Bengal wicketkeeper has proved that he is No. 1 'keeper in the country at the moment. His glove-work has been impressive, especially keeping to the likes of Ashwin and Jadeja, though fine-tuning is required as regards collecting edges are concerned. His batting has improved by leaps and bounds, taking the tail along and scoring useful runs to the team. His unbeaten fifties in Kolkata for his maiden man-of-the-match award will remain in memory for long.
M: 3; I: 3; R: 112; Hs: 58*; Ave: 112.00; SR: 54.10; 100: 0; 50: 2; Cts: 2

RAVINDRA JADEJA (7/10)

If Ashwin does not strike, then Jadeja does. And when the two strike in tandem, it is curtains for the opposition. And that's what the New Zealanders faced. The left-arm spin of Jadeja complemented the Ashwin's off-spin and the duo is expected to dictate terms for the next 10 Tests until March next year. He also received the captain's confidence in his batting when Kohli allowed him to score a Test half-century before declaring the innings closed.
M: 3; I: 5; R: 129; Hs: 50*; Ave: 64.50; SR: 78.65; 100: 0; 50: 1; Cts: 4
Wkts: 14; Ave: 24.07; ER: 2.34; SR: 61.7; Best: 5/73; 5WI: 1; 10WM: 0

MOHAMMAD SHAMI (7/10)

The series statistics does not reveal the true picture of Mohammad Shami's utility to the team. His spells, particularly in Kolkata, have given India the relief they wanted. Formed a deadly combination with Bhuvneshwar Kumar in his home ground. Also, received massive support from his captain, bowling that extra couple of overs under tiring conditions and picking up wickets. Shami's reverse swing also caught New Zealand off track.
M: 3; W: 8; Ave: 30.37; ER: 3.23; SR: 56.3; Best: 3/46; 5WI: 0; 10WM: 0

BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR (6/10)

Like KL Rahul for batting, it was his misfortune that he suffered a back injury and was ruled out of the third Test. Picked for the second Test and being kept out in Kanpur, the right-arm swing bowler used the conditions to his advantage to take a five-wicket haul straightaway and put the Kiwis on the backfoot.
M: 1; W: 6; Ave: 12.66; ER: 2.81; SR: 27.0; Best: 5/48; 5WI: 1; 10WM: 0

UMESH YADAV (2/10)

Yadav did not rattle the New Zealanders. He may not have been even in the 11 but for Ishant Sharma's withdrawal due to chikungunya. He ought to have been taking more than just the two wickets he did in the series, getting to play ahead of Bhuvneshwar Kumar in Kanpur and was the obvious choice for Indore as India could not have played Kumar's replacement Shardul Thakur ahead of Yadav in Indore. A lot more is expected from the Vidarbha quick if he is to be a constant member in the 11.
M: 2; W: 2; Ave: 62.00; ER: 2.69; SR: 138.0; Best: 1/13; 5WI: 0; 10WM: 0

ANIL KUMBLE (8/10)

The chief coach's mere presence in the dressing room itself is inspirational. He instils confidence in his players, letting them do their things and at the same time not diverting from the common goal of emerging victors. Players like Kohli and Ashwin have only said how chats with him, even minor ones, have gone on to make a huge difference to their, and the team's, end result. Kumble and Kohli form a ideal pair and will mastermind India's success in the coming months.

Note: Amit Mishra (full series), Jayant Yadav (2nd Test onwards), Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur (both third Test) were in the squad but did not play.