Ashwin's stifling accuracy, and Saha's quiet efficiency

R Ashwin (27 wickets at 17.77, 71 runs at 23.66)

Three five-fors, two 10-wicket match hauls, another Man-of-the-Series award. Now the best player in four series in a row, Ashwin exploited the conditions beautifully, bowling with daring 7-2 fields at times, giving the batsmen no breathing space with his accuracy and using his guile when the pitch went quiet. He bowled long spells even though he began with a corn on the middle finger of his right hand. Also scored an invaluable 40 and 26 when India were in strife in the first innings of the first two Tests.

Ravindra Jadeja (14 wickets at 24.07, 129 runs at 64.5)

Not as effective with the ball as he was against South Africa last year, but never let the pressure off from the other end as his economy rate of 2.34 shows. Ran through the tail once, which is important. Scored a crucial 42 to push India past 300 in Kanpur, was part of an important partnership with Wriddhiman Saha in Kolkata, and was exceptional as usual in the field.

Wriddhiman Saha (112 runs at 112 , two dismissals)

Quietly brilliant behind the stumps; don't be misled by just two dismissals. India attacked the stumps more than the edges, but his wicketkeeping stands out in how you can't immediately think of an error on pitches that are difficult to keep on. With the bat, Saha won India the Kolkata Test, scoring fifties in two crisis situations. The quietest member in the side is beginning to make telling contributions.

Cheteshwar Pujara (373 runs at 74.6)

Came into the series under immense pressure after being dropped in the West Indies but re-established himself as the backbone of the side with a little support from the coach Anil Kumble. Set up all of India's three first-innings with a lowest of 41. Would have been disappointed he didn't convert any of those into a big hundred, but managed to seal that three-figure score as India set up their declaration in the second innings in Indore.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (6 wickets at 12.66)

Part of India's horses-for-courses plan, was picked in the second Test for a green pitch. This was a track where New Zealand could have felt at home, but he ran through their batting with nagging accuracy to end up with his first five-for at home. Unfortunately he got injured again, but India would have likely played Umesh Yadav in Indore.

Mohammed Shami (8 wickets at 30.37)

Numbers don't do justice to Shami's contribution. New Zealand would have looked to target the quicks for relief, especially in a four-man attack, but Shami didn't allow them that luxury. Whenever India managed to get the ball reversing he took wickets, but when it didn't reverse he asked enough questions.

Ajinkya Rahane (347 runs at 69.4)

Once again he came back from a disappointing first Test to correct his mistakes and make meaningful contributions. On a tough first day in Kolkata he scored 77 in partnership with Pujara, and then went on to make up for the disappointment of not getting a big score there by scoring 188 in Indore where he had to struggle against the short ball.

Virat Kohli (309 runs at 51.5)

Disappointing first three innings in the series, but followed a counterattacking 45 in crisis in the second innings of the Kolkata Test with a double-century full of discipline and restraint in Indore. As captain he refused to let play drift when New Zealand put together partnerships. He backed his team, never minded a tough word with the umpires on behalf of them, and always kept the crowds involved.

Rohit Sharma (238 runs at 79.33)

This series could be a turning point in Rohit's Test career. He played a disappointing shot in the first innings in Kanpur, but with the confidence that he was going to be in the XI for some time, he came back with an excellent 82, after the team was at 43 for 4, to bat New Zealand out of the Kolkata Test. He played selflessly when pushing for declaration. One of the only three batsmen in the series to score at least one fifty in each Test.

M Vijay (186 runs at 31)

Will be disappointed he didn't convert his two half-centuries but he was dismissed off good balls. Continues to be a solid opener for India and re-established his importance in the side after he too was dropped in the West Indies. Will not like the way he got out in Indore: extravagant flick in first innings and lazy running in the second.

KL Rahul (70 runs at 35)

Sparkling presence at the top of the order in Kanpur, which put New Zealand bowlers on the back foot immediately. Failed to convert those two starts. Missed the rest of the series because of injury.

Gautam Gambhir (79 runs at 39.50)

Handed a career lifeline with injuries to two openers, Gambhir played a Rahul-like role in Indore, albeit in easier conditions, scoring a quick 29 in the first innings and a fifty in the second. Will be interesting to see what India decide if both Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan are fit by the time the team for the England series is chosen.

Umesh Yadav (2 wickets at 62)

Did better than the figures suggest. Wasn't quite the soft bowler you would expect as a batting side after the other three have put you under pressure. Was athletic in the field too.

Shikhar Dhawan (18 runs at 9)

Played a poor shot on the first morning in Kolkata. Kept fighting with an injured hand in the second, but clearly he is not the first-choice Test opener anymore.