The Indian Cricket Team had tough oppositions in the 2019/20 home season taking on South Africa in 3 T20Is and 3 Test matches. After that, they faced Bangladesh in 3 T20Is matches and 2 Test matches.
After that, they took on West Indies in 3 T20Is and 3 ODI matches in 2019. In January 2020 the Men in Blue took on Sri Lanka in the 2 T20I matches. They took on 3 ODI matches against Australia to finish the home season on a high. In T20I format, the series between India and South Africa was at 1-1 with 1 match washed out due to rain.
The Indian team bounced back after losing the first match to win the 3 -match T20I series against Bangladesh by 2-1. The series against West Indies was a high scoring affair before the Indian team won the series by 2-1. It was a dominating performance by the Men in Blue who outplayed Sri Lanka by 2-0.
The number 1 ranked Test side India showed their domination by whitewashing South Africa 3-0 and Bangladesh 2-0. In the 50 over format, India defeated West Indies by 2-1. After losing the first ODI badly, the Indian team showed great character to win the ODI series against Aussies by 2-1.
There were some great performances by the Indian in the entire 2019/20 home season which helped the team win matches.
Here we look at the top 5 performers for India in the 2019/20 home season.
- Rohit Sharma
Picture Courtesy: NDTV Sports.com
Rohit Sharma did not have a great T20I series against South Africa getting out cheaply. After being included in the squad for the 3 match Test series, Sharma was given a chance to open the innings.
In the first Test played at Vizag from 2nd October, the Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first. It was a sluggish start from Rohit who struggled against Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada with the new ball. He then played with positive intent reaching his fifty off 84 balls. After reaching his fifty, Rohit took on the South African spinners and reached his century off 154 balls. At the end of day 1, he remained not out on 115. On day 2, the explosive opener made the batting look easy to reach his 150 off 224 balls. He was finally dismissed for a brilliant 176 off 244 balls with 23 fours and 6 sixes.
In the 2nd innings too, Rohit played a gem of an innings and smashed the South African bowlers to all parts of the ground. He scored 127 off 149 balls with 10 fours and 7 sixes which helped India declare their innings on 323 for 4. India won the Test match by 203 runs. For his superb knocks, Rohit was awarded the man of the match.
Rohit Sharma was dismissed cheaply in the 2nd Test match at Pune as he scored just 14. In the 3rd Test match played at Ranchi from 19th October, the Indian team was struggling at 39 for 3 before Rohit and Rahane took on the South African bowlers. Rohit reached his fifty off 86 balls and then made the batting look easy. He scored at a quick pace and reached century off 130 balls. India ended the first day on 224 for 3. On the 2nd day, Rohit continued to score at a quick pace and scored his maiden double century. He was finally dismissed for a brilliant 212 off 255 balls with 28 fours and 6 sixes. India won the match by an innings and 202 runs. For his double century, Rohit was awarded the man of the match and man of the series for his 529 runs from 3 matches.
Following a brilliant Test series against South Africa, Rohit Sharma scored just 9 runs in the opening match of the T20I series against Bangladesh played at Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi on 3rd November.
In the 2nd T20I match played at Rajkot on 7th November, India restricted Bangladesh to 153 for 6 in 20 overs. Rohit Sharma looked in sublime form taking on the Bangladeshi opening bowlers. He took the advantage of the power play overs and reached his fifty off just 23 balls. He was dismissed for a superb 85 off 43 balls with 6 fours and 6 sixes to help India register a comfortable 8 wicket win to level the series. Rohit Sharma was awarded the man of the match. In the decider, Rohit could only score just 2 runs.
Rohit Sharma failed in the first two T20I matches against West Indies. He returned to form in the deciding T20I played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai played on 11th December 2019, he put the pressure back on West Indies with explosive hitting taking the advantage of first six overs. He and KL Rahul plundered the visitors bowling. Rohit reached his fifty off just 23 balls and added 135 runs for the opening wicket with KL Rahul. He was dismissed for 71 off 34 balls with 6 fours and 5 sixes. India posted a massive total of 240 for 3 in 20 overs and won the match by 67 runs to win the series 2-1.
After that, the Indian team featured in the 3 match ODI series against West Indies. After failing in the first ODI, he played with lots of flair in the 2nd ODI match at Vizag played on 18th December, Rohit was cautious at the start before taking on West Indies bowlers. He reached his fifty off 67 balls and then looked in great touch with aggressive shot-making. Rohit took 107 balls to reach his century and gave a solid foundation. After the fall of 2 wickets, he showed his domination and completed 150 off 132 balls. He was finally dismissed for a superb 159 off 138 balls with 17 fours and 5 sixes. His knock and contribution from Pant and Iyer helped India post a massive total of 387 for 5. India won the match by a massive 107 runs. He was awarded the man of the match for his brilliant 159.
In the deciding ODI match played at Cuttack on 22nd December, chasing 316 runs to win, Rohit played with positive intent and made the batting look easy. He scored 63 off 63 balls with 8 fours and 1 six to lay a strong foundation. Rohit Sharma was awarded the man of the series.
He did not feature in the two T20I match series against Sri Lanka. In the ODI series against Australia, Rohit scored just 10 runs at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 14th January. He was in superb touch in the 2nd ODI match at Rajkot played on 17th January. After being invited to bat first, Rohit played with positive intent and scored 42 off 44 balls with 6 fours.
In the 3rd and deciding ODI match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore played on 19th January, chasing 287 runs to win, Rohit showed his class against a top-quality Australian bowling line up. He reached his fifty off 56 balls and continued his superb efforts along with Indian captain Kohli. The explosive opener took on the Australian spinners before reaching his century off 110 balls. He was finally dismissed for a brilliant 119 off 128 balls with 8 fours and 6 sixes. For his superb knock, Rohit was named the man of the match.
- Virat Kohli
Picture Courtesy: Hindustan Times
The Indian captain Virat Kohli had a great home season. After the first T20I match against South Africa at Dharamshala was washed out due to rain, he led from the front in 2nd one played at Mohali on 18th September 2019. Chasing the target of 150 runs to win, Kohli looked in sublime form putting pressure on South African bowlers taking singles and hitting boundaries at will. He scored fifty off 40 balls and helped India win the match by 7 wickets with 6 balls to spare. For his captain knock, he was awarded the man of the match. In the
Kohli was dismissed for 20 runs and remained not out on 31 in the first Test match of the series played at Vizag from 2nd October. In the 2nd Test match played at MCA Stadium, Pune from 10th October, the Indian captain posted his career-best Test score of 254* off 336 balls with 33 fours and 2 sixes. He came after the fall of Cheteshwar Pujara wicket with the score reading at 163 for 2. Kohli showed his class and made the batting look easy. He never looked in trouble to remain not out on 63 on the first day. On the 2nd day, the Indian took the charge and made sure that he plundered the South African bowling line up. His knock helped India declare their innings on a massive 601 for 5. India won the match by an innings and 137 runs. He was awarded the man of the match for his marathon innings.
Following this series, India took on Bangladesh in the 3 -match T20I series. He did not take part in that series as he was rested. Kohli returned to the Test squad that faced Bangladesh.
After failing in the first Test match played at Indore, Kohli scored a brilliant 136 off 194 balls in the first-ever Pink Ball Test match played on Indian shores played from 22nd November. The Indian bowlers did a brilliant job to bowl out Bangladesh for 106 in the first innings. Kohli looked in great touch and made the batting look easy reaching his fifty off 76 balls. The Indian captain remained not out on 59. The 2nd day saw Kohli do the talking and became the first Indian batsman to score a century in the pink-ball Test. He was finally dismissed by a sensational catch by Taijul Islam. India won the match by an innings and 46 runs to whitewash the series 2-0.
He returned to the Indian T20I squad for the series against West Indies. Chasing down the massive target of 208 runs in the first match played at Hyderabad played on 6th December, Kohli struggled initially before taking the charge with aggressive stroke play. He smashed his fifty off just 35 balls. With the run rate increasing, the Indian captain led the charge and remained not out on 94 off 50 balls with 6 fours and 6 sixes. He was awarded the man of the match for his captain knock.
In the second T20I match played at Trivandrum on 8th December, Kohli scored 19 runs off 17 balls. As a result, the Indian team lost the match. The third and deciding T20I match played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, Kohli showed his powerful stroke play scoring 70 off just 29 balls with 4 fours and 7 sixes which helped India post a massive total. For his 183 in 3 matches, Kohli was awarded the man of the series.
After failing to contribute in the first two ODI matches against West Indies, Kohli led from the front in the deciding match played at Cuttack on 22nd November 2019. Chasing 316 runs to win, the Indian openers gave a brilliant start, wickets fell from other the end, Kohli showed his intent taking singles and hitting bad balls away for boundaries. After reaching his fifty off 51 balls, the Indian captain maintained his composure to score 85 off 81 balls with 9 fours. Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja, the partnership led India to a 4-wicket win. Kohli was awarded the man of the match for his superb 85.
Before the ODI series against Australia, India took on Sri Lanka in 2 -match T20 series this year. After the first T20I being washed out due to rain, Kohli hit a quickfire 30 off 17 balls to help India register a comfortable 7 wicket. In the 3rd T20I played at Pune on 10th January, he demoted to number 6 and scored 26 off 17 balls. He was run out taking a risky second run.
In the ODI series played against Australia, Kohli scored just 16 runs at Mumbai played at Mumbai on 14th January. After being asked to bat by the visitors in 2nd ODI played at Rajkot on 17th, the Indian captain led from the front reaching his fifty off 50 balls. He made 78 off 76 balls with 6 boundaries to lay a strong foundation for a massive total.
Chasing 287 runs to win in the 3rd and deciding ODI match played at Bangalore on 19th January, Kohli showed his intent and never looked in trouble. He played with good intent and with Rohit Sharma put the Australian bowlers under pressure. Kohli completed his half-century off 61 balls and made the batting look easy after. He was dismissed for well made 89 off 91 balls with 8 fours. India won the match by 7 wickets to win the series 2-1. For his 2 half-centuries, Kohli was awarded the man of the series.
- KL Rahul
Picture Courtesy: Deccan Herald
The Karnataka opener made a strong impression in the home season. After not featuring in the series against South Africa, KL Rahul took part during the 3 matches T20I series against Bangladesh. Coming at number 3, Rahul had scores of 15, 8 not out, and well made 52 in the third match of the series.
After that series, KL Rahul was included in the 3 matches T20I series against West Indies. Chasing the target of 208 runs in the first T20I match played at Hyderabad on 6th December, Rahul looked in sensational touch with big strokes to put pressure on West Indies bowling. After the fall of Rohit wicket, Rahul played fearlessly and spanked fifty off 37 balls. He scored 62 off 40 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes. He and Kohli added 100 runs for the 2nd wicket which helped India register a stunning win.
In the second T20I played at Trivandum, Rahul scored just 11 runs which did not help India post a competitive total and lost the match. The deciding match of the series played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 11th December 2019, Rahul played with aggressive intent and put the West Indies bowlers under pressure. He reached his fifty off 29 balls to lay a strong foundation. With Kohli going strong at the other end, Rahul took the charge and was dismissed for a superb 91 off 56 balls with 9 fours and 4 sixes. For his 91, he was awarded man of the match.
After the success in the T20I series, Rahul proved his worth in the 3 -match ODI series against West Indies. In the 2nd match played at Vizag on 18th December 2019, Rahul played with caution and then played with aggressive intent. He reached his fifty off just 46 balls. As Rohit was going great guns, Rahul gave good support to him and made the batting look easy to reach his century off 102 balls. He was dismissed for 102 off 104 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes.
Chasing the target of 317 runs to win in the 3rd and deciding ODI match played at Cuttack on 22nd December, Rahul played with lots of charge taking the attack to West Indies bowlers. He reached his fifty off 49 balls. After reaching his fifty, the aggressive opener continued and was dismissed for 77 off 89 balls with 8 fours and 1 six. He and Rohit added 122 runs for the opening wicket. India won the match by 4 wickets.
In the T20I series against Sri Lanka, Rahul opened the innings with Shikhar Dhawan as Rohit was rested. Chasing 143 runs to win in the 2nd T20I match played at Indore, Rahul timed the ball with precision and scored a quickfire 45 off 32 balls. India won the match by 7 wickets.
In the 3rd T20I match at Pune played on 10th January, Rahul played another good knock scoring 54 off 36 balls with 5 fours and 1 six. He and Shikhar Dhawan added 97 runs for the opening wicket.
Coming at number 3 in the first match at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 14th January 2020, he looked in decent touch scoring 47 off 61 balls with 4 fours. He and Dhawan added 121 runs for the 2nd wicket. Despite their knocks, India lost the match by 10 wickets.
In the 2nd ODI match played at Rajkot on 17th January, Rahul came at the crease at number 5 and showed his adaptability with aggressive stroke play. He reached his fifty off 38 balls. After reaching his fifty, Rahul increased the rate of scoring and was dismissed for 80 off 52 balls with 6 fours and 3 sixes. His knock helped India post 340 for 6. For his superb 80, Rahul was awarded the man of the match.
In the deciding ODI match played at Bangalore, Rahul scored just 19 runs, but India won the match by 7 wickets.
- Mohammed Shami
Picture Courtesy: India Today
The right arm pace bowler Mohammed Shami had a great home season across all formats. After not featuring in the T20I series against South Africa, Shami was at his best in 3 match Test series against the visitors.
In the opening Test match at Vizag from 2nd October, Shami did not pick any wicket giving away 47 runs in his 18 overs. He returned with a bang in the 2nd innings grabbing wickets of Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock to rattle the South African batting line up. With a strong partnership going on, he took wickets of Dane Piedt and Kagiso Rabada to finish with figures of 5 for 35.
He bowled with pace and aggression in the 2nd Test match played at Pune from 10th October. After posting 601 for 5, Shami dismissed Bavuma and Anrich Nortje. He finished with figures of 2 for 44 in 17 overs. In the 2nd innings, the fast bowler took 1 for 34 in his 9 overs.
In the third and final Test match played at Ranchi, Shami bowled with pace and aggression picking 2 for 22 in the first innings. In the second innings, he was lethal taking 3 for 10 in his 10 overs. India won the match by an innings and 202 runs.
He was not included in the T20I series against Bangladesh. Shami had an outstanding performance in the first Test match against Bangladesh from 14th November. He picked 3 for 27 in the first innings from 13 overs to bowl out the visitors for 150. In the 2nd innings, the fast bowler created panic among the Bangladeshi batsmen to take 4 for 31 in 16 overs.
In the historic Pink Ball Test match played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Shami took 2 for 36 in 10.3 overs. He was expensive in the 2nd innings with figures of 0 for 42 in 8 overs.
After not featuring in the first two T20I matches against West Indies, Shami was included in the playing XI for the deciding game, he dismissed the dangerous Lendl Simmons and then got the wicket of Hayden Walsh Junior. He finished with figures of 2 for 25 in 4 overs.
He made a good impact in the ODI series. Defending the target of 288 runs in the first ODI at Chennai on 15th December, Shami took 1 wicket for 57 runs in 9 overs. India lost the match by 8 wickets. After posting 387 runs in the 2nd ODI at Vizag, Shami dismissed the dangerous Nicolas Pooran for 75 and then Kieron Pollard off next ball. He then got the wicket of Keemo Paul to finish West Indies innings. He finished with figures of 3 for 39 in 7.3 overs.
In the final ODI match played at Cuttack, Shami bowled well in the first spell taking the wicket of Shai Hope with a beauty. He finished with figures of 1 for 66 in 10 overs.
He was rested for the T20I series against Sri Lanka. After a humiliating loss in the first ODI by 10 wickets at Mumbai, the Indian team posted a massive total of 340 for 6 in 50 overs at Rajkot. Shami provided the breakthrough for India dismissing Warner with a one-handed catch by Manish Pandey. In the death overs, Shami got wickets of Ashton Turner and Pat Cummins to finish with figures of 3 for 77 in 10 overs.
In the deciding ODI match played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, Shami provided the break dismissing dangerous David Warner. In the last few overs, he dismissed dangerous Steve Smith, Pat Cummins and, Adam Zampa to restrict Australia 286 for 9 in 50 overs. He finished with figures of 4 for 63 in 10 overs.
- Mayank Agarwal
Picture Courtesy: Hindustan Times
Mayank Agarwal featured in Test matches only during the 2019/20 home season. Playing his first Test match on home soil, he scored a brilliant 215 runs in the first innings of the first Test match against South Africa played at Vizag from 2nd October.
Agarwal struggled initially against the South African pacers before putting pressure on the opposition bowlers. He reached his fifty off 114 balls and remained not out on 84 on opening day. Agarwal showed his intent and made the batting look easy. He scored his maiden double century and was dismissed for 215 off 371 balls with 23 fours and 6 sixes.
He followed with another brilliant knock in the first innings of the 2nd Test match played at Pune from 10th October. Agarwal scored 108 off 195 balls with 16 fours and 2 sixes. He and other batsmen laid a strong foundation for a massive total.
In the third and final Test match played at Ranchi, Agarwal was dismissed cheaply for 10 runs. Mayank Agarwal had an outstanding performance in the first innings of first Test match played against Bangladesh from 14th November at Indore, he was dropped at slips which the Bangladeshi team had to pay price.
After dismissing Bangladesh 150 runs in the first innings, Agarwal remained not out on 37 after the end of the first day’s play. He showed his intent on 2nd day and made the batting look easy with big strokes against Bangladesh spinners. It was an expectational batting display by Agarwal who scored his career-best Test score of 243 off 330 balls with 28 fours and 8 sixes. India posted 493 for 6 declare and bowled Bangladesh for 213 runs in the 2nd innings. For his 243, Agarwal was awarded the man of the series.
He was the leading run-getter for India in Test matches during 2019 with 754 runs from 8 matches ( 11 innings) with 3 centuries and 2 half-centuries which included the knock in the 4th Test match at Sydney.
