CT 2017, Match 4, IND v PAK – India Player Ratings

India began their innings slightly on the slower side, with runs coming in at a very slow rate, before Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan changed gears to become more aggressive through the middle overs. Shikhar Dhawan was the first one to be dismissed following a false shot attempt to the leggie debutant. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma took the innings to a good total before an onslaught from Yuvraj Singh, and Hardik Pandya ensured that India did not get out before scoring a total of above 300.

In reply, the men in green got off to a sluggish start, failing to cope up with the pressure of the Indian bowlers. The target just seemed too huge for an inexperienced batting lineup of Pakistans. Ahmed Shehzad was struck down straight down the line after missing a delivery from Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. Babar Azam was dismissed following the rainfall at the venue for eight runs. Pakistan never had the momentum going into a huge chase like this, with the Indian team coming home victorious by 124 runs.

Here are the player ratings for the Indian side:

Shikhar Dhawan- 8/10

The southpaw entered the field in an Indian jersey after a while, but it never looked like that Dhawan was away from the game with the way he batted at the top of the order. The left-hander looked in prime form here at Edgbaston with a score of 68 runs from 65 balls, with six boundaries and a massive six.

Dhawan paid dividends for his selection after the committee were contemplating him and the other options in the Indian cricket.

Rohit Sharma- 9/10

After not a massive outing in the Indian Premier League, a lot was expected from the right-handed batsman Rohit Sharma. In just his first match from a return, the right-hander scored a crucial 91 runs off 119 balls, with seven boundaries and two sixes against his name.

The innings from the Mumbai Indians’ skipper was a one of more significance compared to the other knocks during the course of the match, as the right-hander had set the platform from which they could capitalise.

Virat Kohli- 8/10

Indian skipper Virat Kohli post injury did not have such a good time in the Indian Premier League, and a lot was expected of him coming into a huge game like this. The skipper was brilliant all over the field, be it with the willow in his hand or with his brains in the fielding changes and the bowling switches.

The right-hander scored 81 runs off 68 balls, with six boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 119.12.

Yuvraj Singh- 9/10

Probably, the best player of the match by far was Yuvraj Singh. The southpaw scored 53 runs off 32 balls in his return to an ICC event, following his long stay out of the Indian team given to his poor form, but the experience of the left-hander could not keep him out for too long from the game.

Yuvraj scored at a strike rate of 165.63, smashing eight boundaries and a solitary six. This inning was a comprehensive one from the all-rounder

Hardik Pandya- 8/10

When Hardik Pandya was sent ahead of Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni, questions were raised at the management for the decision, but what the management saw from the all-rounder was something that normal people could not visualize.

The all-rounder from Baroda was the God of Sixes at Edgbaston, scoring three sixes in as many as six deliveries that he faced during his stay at the crease while picking up two wickets with the ball in his hand.

Ravindra Jadeja- 7/10

The moustache man Ravindra Jadeja played one of his best matches post the series against Australia. The all-rounder was seen struggling all around with the bat and the ball in the IPL, but in this match, he was a key player for Virat Kohli.

The run-out of Shoaib Malik was a piece of art from the left-hander with a pickup and throw straight at the stumps that lit the mood of the Indian fans, following his two wickets with his spin bowling.

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar- 7/10

The right-arm swing bowler was the best bowler for the men in blue at the flat deck in England. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar was the leading wicket taker of the Indian Premier League with the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

In this match too, the right-arm bowler picked up a wicket giving only 23 runs in five overs with a maiden over. He picked up the wicket of the opener Ahmed Shehzad.

Umesh Yadav- 8/10

Umesh Yadav’s first spell was costly as the right-arm seamer went for as many as 12 runs his first two overs before coming back with a bang. Yadav picked up three wickets going only for 30 runs in his 7.4 overs with a maiden over in the middle of his spell.

The pace and aggression with which he bowled was a threat to the men in green and would be a bonus for Team India going into the next encounter

Jasprit Bumrah- 6/10

The Mumbai Indians’ pacer did not get any wicket on the pitch, although he bowled tight line and length. The match would be just another learning curve for the right-arm quick.

Kohli would be hopeful that the right-arm quick hits form as soon as possible in the tournament, given India are prime favorites to defend the title.

MS Dhoni- N/A

There was not a lot to do for the former Indian skipper as he did not get the opportunity to bat against Pakistan, a side against whom he has scored many runs in the past. However, with the gloves in his hand, the veteran was very safe behind the wickets.

Kedar Jadhav- N/A

Just like Dhoni, Jadhav too did not get an outing with the bat in his hand as Pandya was sent ahead of the right-hander. Although the right-hander was prevalent on the field, his fielding did not have such an impact on the team.

Jadhav was the culprit on several occasions with the catches going down the drain, with him dropping as many as two catches in the innings.