England v India winners and losers: Captaincy struggles hurt Kohli

Paul Radley puts together a list of players who did well, and those who did not in the five-match series that concluded at The Oval

India captain Virat Kohli, center left, waits with his teammates for the trophy presentations to start after England won the fifth cricket test match and the five match series between England and India at the Oval cricket ground in London, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
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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.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11:  Sam Curran of England celebrates after dismissing Ishant Sharma of India during the Specsavers 5th Test - Day Five between England and India at The Kia Oval on September 11, 2018 in London, England.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Sam Curran was brilliant for England, especially in crucial situations in the series. Getty Images

Ishant Sharma (India)

Cricket - England v India - Fifth Test - Kia Oval, London, Britain - September 7, 2018   India's Ishant Sharma celebrates the wicket of England's Jonny Bairstow   Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Ishant Sharma was one of India's most destructive fast bowlers against England. Reuters

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)

England's Moeen Ali bowls during play on the third day of the fifth Test cricket match between England and India at The Oval in London on September 9, 2018. - India trail England by 40 runs after their first Innings. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB
England off-spinner Moeen Ali continued to trouble India's batsmen, like he did in 2014. AFP

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)

India captain Virat Kohli walks off the field of play after losing his wicket from the bowling of England's Stuart Broad during the fifth cricket test match of a five match series between England and India at the Oval cricket ground in London, Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Virat Kohli's Asia Cup absence could benefit the Indian team. AP Photo

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)

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09:  Keaton Jennings of England is bowled by Mohammed Shami of India during the Specsavers 5th Test - Day Three between England and India at The Kia Oval on September 9, 2018 in London, England.  (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Keaton Jennings flopped with the bat throughout the series against India. Getty Images

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)

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Dinesh Karthik gestures during the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 first eliminator cricket match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium in Kolkata on May 23, 2018.  / AFP PHOTO / Dibyangshu SARKAR / ----IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE----- / GETTYOUT
It is difficult to see a way back into the Test side for wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik from this position. AFP

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.