R Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli stellar

In retrospect, India were the best performing cricket side of 2015. Since South Africa top the ICC Test rankings, Australia the ODI and India are second placed in both formats, eyebrows will understandably be raised.

But my argument is not based on points and stuff, rather how teams fared when the difficulty quotient was high. In this respect — and rationalising performance in both formats — India move ahead of the others.

Essentially, the race for supremacy was between these three teams. While South Africa retained their No.1 Test ranking throughout the year, their lead at the top was whittled down considerably.

In ODIs, they were the most fancied side, but came a cropper in the World Cup losing, among other sides, to India. A 3-2 verdict in their favour when touring India was some salve to injured pride, but did not quit establish them as the top ODI side

India meanwhile reached the semifinal of the World Cup and till they lost to Australia were arguably the most impressive side in the tournament. There were two fantastic Test series wins, against Sri Lanka and South Africa. Even if both were achieved in the sub-continent, it does not take away any from the brilliance of the effort.

Sri Lanka are never easy to bat at home as every team touring there for the past quarter of a century has realised. But India came from one Test down to turn the tables on them in a riveting contest.

This amazing turnaround forged the ambition and self-belief to take on mighty South Africa at home. The Proteas hadn’t lost a series overseas since 2006. This time they were routed 0-3, outplayed in each department of the game.

In the Indian context, three players stood out for me for their extraordinary performances. I use the adjective advisedly, because all three — R. Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli — were under tough scrutiny, albeit for different reasons.

Ashwin had been roundly criticised for his ‘excessive’ experimentation and also failure to deliver wickets in tough situations. In Sri Lanka and against South Africa, he showed not just how much he had matured, but how much he had advanced his skills too. To say that he is the best spinner in the world today would invite no dispute.

Rahane, despite several stellar performances, seemed to be India’s unsung and readily dispensable batsman in favour of those with greater ‘star’ value. Within three months of magnificent batting, particularly in crises, he emerged as perhaps India’s best in all formats and conditions.

Kohli’s batting may not have hit the dazzling highs of 2013-14, but as captain he came through superbly.