India T20 series ratings v SA: Karthik and Pandya get 9, Pant disappoints

Hosts bounced back to level five-match series after losing first two

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  Ishan Kishan (5 matches, 206 runs, Avg 41.20, 150.36 strike rate) - 8: The opener was not only the top-scorer but also accumulated his runs at a brisk pace, which should alleviate some pressure after struggling with his strike rate in the IPL. AFP

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  Ruturaj Gaikwad (5 matches, 96 runs, Avg 19.20, SR 131.50) - 5: An opportunity lost for the talented batsman. Once regulars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul return he will find it almost impossible to break into the playing XI in any format. AFP

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  Shreyas Iyer (5 matches, 94 runs, Avg 23.50, SR 123.68) - 5: Anchored the innings well in the first two T20s, but failed in the next two when the series was on the line. Might get squeezed out of the XI if Suryakumar Yadav returns to fitness. AFP

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  Rishabh Pant (5 matches, 58 runs, Avg 14.50, SR 105.45) - 4: Failed with the bat and lacked urgency. Got out to wide deliveries throughout the series. Remained positive after the series about form but will feel the pressure after Dinesh Karthik's spectacular comeback. AFP

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  Hardik Pandya (4 matches, 117 runs, Avg 58.50, SR 153.94) - 9: Outstanding with the bat - like he was in the IPL - making him a guaranteed selection. Bowled five expensive overs across three matches, which took some sheen off his final report card. AP

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  Dinesh Karthik (4 matches, 92 runs, Avg 46.00, SR 158.62) - 9: Did exactly what his team asked - score quick runs in the last five overs. Did that perfectly in the second and fourth games, with his fifty in Rajkot levelling the series and vindicating his selection. A tale of persistence and belief. AP

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  Axar Patel (4 matches, 3 wickets, Econ 8.25, 13 runs) - 5: Had a golden chance to become the preferred all-round spinner with Ravindra Jadeja out. Was expensive in the first two matches before pulling things back in the next two. Nothing with the bat, which means the glass is half full at best. Getty

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  Harshal Patel (4 matches, 7 wickets, Best 4-25, Econ 7.23) - 8.5: Went for 43 in the first T20 but kept his cool in the next three to keep the scoring down and pick up wickets. His variations remain the best in the Indian team. AFP

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  Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4 matches, 6 wickets, Best 4-13, Econ 6.07) - 9: Player of the series after going for over 40 in first T20. Can be almost unhittable when he gets going, plus is a reliable bat down the order. India will be hoping he remains fit for the T20 World Cup. AFP

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  Avesh Khan (4 matches, 4 wickets, Best 4-18, Econ 7.00) - 7.5: The only 'fast' bowler for India in the series as Umran Malik did not get a chance. Was decent even as South Africa scored 212 in Delhi. Solid effort throughout. AFP

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  Yuzvendra Chahal (4 matches, 6 wickets, Best 3-20, Econ 8.18) - 7: Was good in his last two matches but remained expensive. As he is a pure bowler, would have expected better returns. However, has the backing of the management. AP

India entered the five-match T20 series against a full-strength South Africa as the clear underdogs in the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah.

After losing the first two T20s fairly easily, it looked like the Proteas might hand stand-in captain Rishabh Pant a whitewash in his first big assignment as skipper. But the Indians stuck to their playing XI and won the next two T20s comfortably - by margins of 48 and 82 runs.

Batsmen Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya and the returning Dinesh Karthik hit form at just the right time, while seamers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel made the most of their variations and control to keep India in the contest.

The final and series-deciding T20 in Bengaluru was washed out after less than four overs of play, which meant both teams walked away with a bunch of positives and some issues to sort.

Player ratings of India's players in the series can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.