Sri Lanka v India, 1st Test: Indian Players Ratings

An emphatic victory that was at the Galle, the same stadium where India suffered a horrendous defeat in the hands of Sri Lanka. This was a perfect revenge as the visitors absolutely outplayed their opponents and took a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series.

Sri Lanka were left in a paranoiac state when their middle-order batter Aslela Gunaratne was rushed to the hospital on the first day and eventually, ruled out of the Test match. A thumb injury in attempting a catch at slips. It indeed was a catastrophic moment as Shikhar Dhawan, who received a lifeline, went on to score a mammoth hundred and the Islanders were a player down within 14 overs of the first day.

Sri Lanka reciprocated with just 291 runs to India’s tally of 600 in the first innings. Though the follow on option was on cards, India decided to bat again and the skipper Virat Kohli registered his 17th Test match hundred to post a 550 run target for Sri Lanka, which they were never going to get. India wrapped up the match inside four days and gave themselves an extra day off before the next Test begins on 3rd August.

Here are the player ratings for Indians after the enthralling first Test

Abhinav Mukund – 7.5/10

The southpaw from Tamil Nadu disappointed in the first innings but registered his first Test match fifty in the second innings. He and Kohli set up a brilliant partnership after two quick wickets and played a big role in setting up the big total. He was extremely sharp on the field as well, inflicting a run-out and took a stunning catch in the first innings.

Shikhar Dhawan – 9/10

The “Gabbar storm” ensured Sri Lanka were out of the game after the end of the first day’s play. His innings will rank as one of the best innings of this year in Test cricket and

Cheteshwar Pujara – 9

The ever reliable source of getting runs, Cheteshwar Pujara once again has proven his worth coming in at number 3. A spectacular hundred from him helped India get a big score and he was brilliant at forward short leg taking a couple of sharp catches.

Virat Kohli – 7.5

A hundred from the skipper in the second innings was very imperative for him personally and he’d be glad to have some runs after his name. But Kohli in prime is a lot better than what we saw on Day 3 and he even dropped an absolute sitter on the fourth day. He’s getting back into some form but this Test match was good for him, not great.

Ajinkya Rahane – 7

Rahane was solid with his technique in the first innings and stitched a crucial partnership with Pujara. He registered a decent fifty but got out trying something which wasn’t necessary. He was decent at the slip cordon as well to go with a quick fire 23 in the second innings.

Ravichandran Ashwin – 7.5 

Ashwin was stellar in the second innings of the game, picking up three crucial wickets. He was unable to find turn in the first innings and managed to get only one scalp and he scored a classy 47 in the first innings, justifying his status as a decent all-rounder.

Wriddhiman Saha – 6

Sometimes its harsh to give such ratings to a player who barely had anything to do. But Saha took some sharp catches behind the stumps and helped Mukund inflict a run-out.

Hardik Pandya – 7.5 

A debut that he will remember for a long time to come. Pandya was at his fluent best, coming in to score a mind-boggling fifty and though he bowled just 10 overs in the entire game, he did get his maiden scalp in the first innings.

Ravindra Jadeja – 8

Ravindra Jadeja always poses a great challenge and the world number one bowler finished with 6 wickets in the game, three a piece in each innings. He always invites the batters to commit suicidal errors and that’s exactly what he did in the game, with perfection.

Umesh Yadav – 6 

Though Umesh Yadav bowled some decent quick deliveries here and there, this wasn’t his best game by any stretch of imagination. He conceded at over 5 per over in both the innings and picked up 2 wickets in the game.

Mohammed Shami – 7

It never seemed like Shami was out of the team for a long while. He bowled quick and was hitting the mark almost every time. With three wickets and some terrorizing bouncers in the game, Shami’s contribution indeed was vital to the side.