The English Test summer is now over with England 4-1 victors over world No 1 side India in their five-match series.
Following the completion of the action, Paul Radley assesses who has been the winners and losers during the last six weeks of action.
Three up
Sam Curran (England)
And to think England actually dropped him for one game. The four he played, they won. The one he missed, they lost. Coincidence? Possibly, but one thing is for sure, he is now due a long run in the side. His match-turning 63 in the opener at Edgbaston was perhaps the seminal point of the series.
Ishant Sharma (India)
Harbhajan Singh’s debut in the Sky commentary box in the opening Test saw him bemoan the fact Ishant, his long-time India teammate, has never really learnt any new tricks. The lanky fast-bowler made a joke of that theory by finishing as India’s leading wicket-taker, with 18 in the series.
Moeen Ali (England)
It is often said that a player’s stock can rise more when they are out of the England side than in it. Moeen’s early-summer absence only ever felt like the selectors killing time waiting for his rebirth. So it proved as he made a triumphant return with nine wickets in Southampton to settle the series.
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Read more:
Paul Radley: Anderson and Cook share limelight in a memorable Oval Test
Seth Jacobson: End of road for Cook, but Anderson continues on journey
'Dream come true' for Cook as century puts England on cusp of Test win
Virat Kohli's Asia Cup absence could help Indian revival, says Kapil Dev
Ian Oxborrow: Cook's retirement feels like death knell for Test cricket
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Three down
Virat Kohli (India)
A different class of batsman to anyone else – in this series and anywhere else besides. But as a captain? Questions have to be asked. His headstrong manner is central to his greatness. But it means many revel when it does go wrong for him. A final innings golden duck felt like hubris.
Keaton Jennings (England)
A likeable, good-natured, left-handed opener who made a century on Test debut? Jennings might share a number of similarities with the departing Alastair Cook, but savvy judgement on off-stump and a penchant for heavy-runscoring do not appear to among them.
Dinesh Karthik (India)
Which Indian batsman suffered most against James Anderson and Co? Take your pick. Murali Vijay was binned. Shikhar Dhawan was a shambles. KL Rahul only bloomed belatedly. And it is difficult to see a way back into the Test side for wicketkeeper Karthik from this position.
