England vs. India: Player Ratings for MS Dhoni's Team After 2014 ODI Series
India lost the final one-day international against England at Headingley by 41 runs, but took the series 3-1, thereby exacting revenge for their loss in the Test series by the same scoreline.
India were the better team overall for three out of the four ODIs played and thoroughly deserve their series win.
With the World Cup coming up in February, the 2011 champions are shaping up well to defend their crown.
Here is how MS Dhoni's men rated for the ODI series against England.
Criteria for Ratings
The number of runs scored and wickets and catches taken will obviously play a significant role in determining a player's rating. However, the following factors also affect it:
1. Runs scored or wickets taken in match-saving, run-chasing or similar under-pressure situations count more than otherwise.
2. The captain will be judged on his performance in the field in addition to his other contributions with bat or ball.
3. Performing in conditions that don't suit a player's skill set boosts a player's rating.
4. Irresponsible acts or those of poor judgement affect a player's rating.
MS Dhoni (captain)
Runs: 81 in 2 innings
Dismissals: 7
Rating: 8/10
Under pressure after India's 3-1 loss in the Test series, the India captain desperately needed to mastermind a turnaround in the one-day series, and that is exactly what he did.
India were a completely different outfit in the four ODIs that were played, and, apart from individual performances, a lot of credit has to go to Dhoni, who was also a different animal from the Tests.
Dhoni marshalled his troops well, picked his team and used his bowlers astutely and thoroughly deserves the series victory.
Shikhar Dhawan
Runs: 155
Rating: 5/10
Shikhar Dhawan had a poor Test series in which he was dropped after the first three games. He was expected to turn his fortunes around in the one-dayers given his exploits here last year during the Champions Trophy.
However, apart from one innings in which he scored an unbeaten 97 in India's successful run-chase of a paltry 207-run target, there wasn't any other performance of note, especially when the pressure was on.
Dhawan's time seems to be running out and he faces a fight to keep his place at the top of the order with the World Cup coming up.
Rohit Sharma
Runs: 52 in 1 innings
Rating: 8/10
Rohit Sharma played really well for his half-century in the second ODI when India started poorly after they were asked to bat first in difficult conditions.
Under pressure after India lost two early wickets, Rohit kept his cool and played calmly, building a partnership with Suresh Raina to take India out of trouble.
Unfortunately, he was ruled out of the series following that match due to injury.
Ajinkya Rahane
Runs: 192
Rating: 9/10
India's makeshift opener has all-but cemented a spot at the top of the order after a sublime, match-winning century at Birmingham.
Rahane looks a natural as an opener and could just knock Shikhar Dhawan out with his consistency and great temperament.
Virat Kohli
Runs: 54
Rating: 3/10
Virat Kohli will want to forget this tour as if it were a bad dream, but that won't erase the fact that India's most promising batsman has been a failure over the last two months.
After a poor Test series, Kohli was expected to return to form in his preferred limited-overs format. However, unfortunately for him and India, that wasn't the case, apart from a 40 in an easy run-chase.
Suresh Raina
Runs: 160
Wickets: 4
Rating: 9/10
Suresh Raina began the series with an exceptional match-winning century at Cardiff that set the tone for his team.
Not only was Raina good with the bat, his part-time spin came to his captain's rescue when the team most needed it and he was easily the best fielder from both teams.
Raina's all-round performance almost begs the question whether India erred by not picking him in the Test squad.
Ambati Rayudu
Runs: 117
Wickets: 1
Rating: 6/10
Looking to seal a permanent spot in the Indian XI, Ambati Rayudu seems to be improving with each series he plays in.
Rayudu was more than useful in the middle order with some valuable runs and also turned his arm over when his captain wanted him to.
A little more maturity and responsibility with the bat and Rayudu should soon make a spot his.
Ravindra Jadeja
Runs: 108
Wickets: 7
Rating: 8/10
Ravindra Jadeja was splendid with both bat and ball throughout the series and has certainly sealed a spot in the World Cup squad.
His career-highest score of 87 in the final ODI was the definition of a fearless knock even when the writing was on the wall that India had lost the game.
His ability to chip away with vital wickets in the middle overs makes him a vital asset for Dhoni.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Wickets: 7
Runs: 26
Rating: 7.5/10
Ravichandran Ashwin carried on with his good form from the Test series and did really well as India's lead spinner.
He picked up wickets in each game and did well to keep the English batsmen in check in the middle overs.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Wickets: 5
Runs: 1
Rating: 6/10
The only Indian bowler to play all their matches on this tour, Bhuvneshwar Kumar must be a tired man, but that didn't stop him from giving it his all as the series wore on.
As the ODIs progressed, Bhuvi was understandably not at 100 percent but still managed to trouble the Englishmen, if not pick enough wickets.
Mohammed Shami
Wickets: 8
Rating: 7/10
After a mediocre Test series, Mohammed Shami did well to pick up eight wickets in four matches, making him India's highest wicket-taker for the ODI series.
While some of his wickets were down to the faults of the English batsmen rather than his talent, Shami would be pleased with his work.
Mohit Sharma
Wickets: 0
Rating: 5/10
Mohit Sharma looked promising at Cardiff, albeit not picking up any wickets, so it was very unfortunate that he picked up a niggle in the third ODI that ruled him out of the series.
Dhawal Kulkarni
Wickets: 0
Rating: 3/10
Dhawal Kulkarni played just the one match at Birmingham in which he went wicketless, but it would probably be unfair to pass a verdict on his form after just that game.
He needs to play more matches.
Umesh Yadav
Wickets: 1
Rating: 5/10
Getting a game during the final ODI, Umesh Yadav did enough to prove that India need to play him more.
A genuine speedster, Yadav needs to be groomed and maintained well by India, and they could have a match-winner by the time the World Cup arrives.