India vs Australia, 2nd ODI: India Player Ratings

India beat Australia by 50 runs in the second ODI at the iconic Eden Gardens as Kuldeep Yadav lit up the night with his magnificent hat-trick. It was an exhibition of some class spin bowling by Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep as the visitors succumbed to them yet again. Both scalped 5 wickets between them as the batsmen looked clueless against the turning ball.

Virat Kohli opted to bat first after winning the toss once again but lost Rohit Sharma early. But Ajinkya Rahane and Kohli stitched a crucial 102 run stand given the wicket was getting slower and slower. Aussies came back strongly as they strangled the lower middle order with some excellent ‘hit the deck’ bowling. None of the other batsmen looked comfortable in the middle as the hosts were bowled out for 252 in their 50 overs. In reply, the Aussies were bamboozled by some excellent swing bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar before the spinners spun a web to script another famous win in Kolkata.

Here we bring you the ratings of Indian players:

Ajinkya Rahane: 6/10

Ajinkya Rahane played a crucial knock of 55 off 64 deliveries given the way game panned out in the second half of India’s innings. His cover drives especially were pleasing to the eyes. He hit 7 boundaries on his way to another half-century. Unfortunately, he was run-out against the run of play when he hesitated for a split second while running. Though, he must be relieved to be back at his fluent best after registering a failure in Chennai.

Rohit Sharma: 1/10

The ‘hitman’ never arrived on his favourite ground today as he looked lost throughout the day. He scored only 7 runs after opening the batting and gave his wicket to Nathan Coulter Nile. Rohit also dropped Travis Head at first slip when the batsman edged it off Bhuvneshwar. Head went on to score 39 runs and looked threatening while he was there. There was also a misfield by the Mumbai lad and surely he would love to make an immediate impact in the next match.

Virat Kohli: 8.5/10

Virat Kohli, the skipper, came back in form against Australia after averaging around 6 against them in last few innings. He ran fast and played some delightful strokes in his partnership with Rahane at the top. His running especially was excellent given the level of humidity at the venue. He added another half-century to his kitty and was looking good for 100 but was scalped by the reverse swinging delivery off Coulter Nile. India never looked comfortable after his wicket proves how crucial it was to play well at the top.

Manish Pandey: 2/10

The opportunities are running out fast for the new No. 4 for India, Manish Pandey. He looked completely uncomfortable during his stay at the crease and was castled by left-arm spin of Ashton Agar. Pandey could only muster 3 runs off 13 balls and needs to find his touch soon as the squad has been declared only for three ODIs of the series.

Kedar Jadhav: 4/10

Kedar Jadhav looked good again in his brief stay in the middle but wasted another start like in Chennai. Once again he had the chance of taking India to a decent total on a slow pitch but he hit the full ball straight to Glenn Maxwell at backward point. Jadhav scored 24 runs at run a ball with 2 fours and a solitary six. He would like to score big in the next game as the selectors are set to select the team for the remaining matches.

MS Dhoni: 5/10

A rare failure for the former captain MS Dhoni given his recent form with the bat. He was undone by the slower ball of Kane Richardson which was pouched by the opposition skipper Steve Smith. Dhoni scored only 5 runs but affected a couple of dismissals behind the wicket which included a clever and sharp stumping of Maxwell and a superb catch to give Kuldeep Yadav a hat-trick.

Hardik Pandya: 6/10

Hardik Pandya couldn’t quite back up his match-winning performance in Chennai but did what all-rounders are expected to do. He scored 20 runs at the death and made sure India didn’t collapse. But he made an eventful impact with the bowl and picked up the crucial wicket of Steve Smith who was looking good after scoring a half-century. He ended with the figures of 2/56 and could have bowled better.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 8/10

Bhuvneshwar Kumar had another brilliant game with both bat and ball. He literally kept Aussie openers on the tenterhooks with his prodigious swing bowling at the start and picked up the crucial wickets of Hilton Cartwright and David Warner. Warner’s wicket was excellent as he had set him up for the outswinger which he edged it straight to Rahane. He came back for the final spell and pinned Kane Richardson in front of the stumps to give India 2-0 lead. He finished with excellent match figures of 3/9 in 6.1 overs with two maidens.

Kuldeep Yadav: 9/10

The left arm chinaman is becoming a sensation for the Men in Blue very fast. Maxwell tonked him for sixes after struggling to land the ball in right areas in his first six overs. But the youngster made a stunning comeback by picking a hat-trick in the 33rd over which turned the match in India’s favour completely. Matthew Wade chopped onto the stumps and Agar missed a loopy delivery to be found leg before off the consecutive deliveries. But the best one was the milestone delivery which turned the other way and edged the bat of Pat Cummins and was smartly held by Dhoni behind the wickets.

Yuzvendra Chahal: 8/10

Yuzvendra Chahal is fast becoming India’s go-to bowler in the middle overs with his ability to spin the ball both ways. His line and length was excellent throughout and kept the opposition run rate in check. He stifled Glenn Maxwell who was looking good and was stumped by the wicketkeeper. Chahal ended with the figures of 2/34 in his 10 overs and bowled a maiden as well. He is quickly getting settled in the international arena and is looking good to go a long way.

Jasprit Bumrah: 3/10

A rare off day for the leading pacer of the Men in Blue as he dished out some easy deliveries in the powerplay. Jasprit Bumrah looked off-colour today but this is bound to happen after consistent performances in last few matches. He was expensive today and looted runs at almost 6 an over. The team management will be confident of him coming back in the next game.