ICC World Cup 2019: Match 44, SL v IND – India Player Ratings

Team India has continued with its dominance in the World Cup 2019 and registered a handsome win over Sri Lanka. In the penultimate league game, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. However, things headed south within no time after they lost some quick wickets. Within the 12th over, the side was reduced to 55/4 and it didn’t seem as if they’d get anywhere past 150.

However, in times of trouble, two of their most experienced players turned up and played great knocks. While Angelo Mathews registered his third ODI hundred, Lahiru Thirimanne got to a well-compiled fifty. A small contribution from Dhananjaya de Silva down the order steered Sri Lanka to a decent total of 264/7 in 50 overs.

While they’d have fancied their chances of giving India a tough time in the chase, the pitch and the openers proved to be too good. Both Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul scored hundreds. Virat Kohli played a good knock towards the end as India got over the line with 7 wickets to spare. Also, they crept up to the top of the points table with this win.

Here are the India Player Ratings for the match

KL Rahul – 9.5/10

KL Rahul adapted to different situations really well in the tournament. He started off with some aggressive batting. Then took the backfoot and played the second fiddle when his opening partner when all guns blazing. Rahul hit some big shots every now and then. Once the first wicket fell, he caught up with the pace. He scored 111 runs at run-a-ball before he was dismissed by Lasith Malinga.

Rohit Sharma – 9.5/10

Oh, boy! How’d you describe the exploits of the ‘Hitman’ in this tournament? He has been more consistent than ever and has notched up his fifth century just in this World Cup breaking the record of Kumar Sangakkara. He has now equalled the record of Sachin Tendulkar’s 6 World Cup hundreds and took just 16 innings to do that. This super elegant player played aggressive cricket right throughout, hit 14 fours and 2 sixes. What was disappointing, though, is that he failed to make that a big one yet again.

Virat Kohli – 5/10

Virat Kohli did a good job marshalling his troops on the field. He came into bat when there weren’t too many runs to be scored to reach the target. The Indian skipper only dealt in singles early on and helped Rahul get to his hundred. Later, he accelerated and was unbeaten on 34 runs.

Rishabh Pant – 1/10

Rishab Pant came in to bat towards the end of the innings when India was just inches away from the target. His aggressive instinct, however, got the better of him. Pant smashed one boundary and got out for only 4 runs. He was initially judged not out but the decision was reviewed after Sri Lanka opted for the review.

MS Dhoni – 2/10

MS Dhoni had a brilliant day behind the stumps and was involved in all the first four dismissals. The veteran cricketer took three catches and also affected one stumping.

Dinesh Karthik – Not Assigned

Dinesh Karthik didn’t have much to do in this game and didn’t get an opportunity to bat with the top-order dominating so well.

Hardik Pandya – 4.5/10

Hardik Pandya had a decent day with the ball and accounted for the scalp of Avishka Fernando. He bowled a few overs in the final ten and did a good job. In his 10 overs, he conceded 50 runs but made a mess of a catch early in the innings. He didn’t make a call and there was confusion between him and Kuldeep. Pandya had a small task towards the end of the innings and he remained unbeaten on 7 runs off 4 balls.

Ravindra Jadeja – 4.5/10

The so-called ‘bits and pieces’ player got into the eleven for this game and shut all his critics down with his performance in the match. This match seemed to be tailor-made for his style of bowling and he made the most of it. Ravindra Jadeja was getting grip and turn and he dismissed Kusal Mendis. He created a chance with the dismissal of Angelo Mathews as well but the catch was spilt.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 1.5/10

Bhuvneshwar Kumar had a horrible day and nothing went his way. The Sri Lanka batsmen attacked him and Bhuvi has hardly pitched the ball in the right areas. While he picked up the wicket of Thisara Perera in the final over of the game, the batsman had no other option but to go after the bowler. Moreover, he dropped an easy catch of Angelo Mathews when he was on 61.

Kuldeep Yadav – 3/10

Kuldeep Yadav came into the side in place of Yuzvendra Chahal in this game. However, he couldn’t make a massive impact with the ball. The chinaman was expensive and conceded 58 runs in his 10 overs. He dismissed Lahiru Thirimanne but dropped an easy catch on the field.

Jasprit Bumrah – 8/10

Jasprit Bumrah had a terrific day at the office and he finished with a three-wicket haul in the match. He dismissed both the Sri Lankan openers for paltry scores. Then, he also accounted for the wicket of the dangerous Angelo Mathews in the penultimate over of the match. Two of his ten overs were maidens and he conceded only 37 runs.