ICC World Cup 2015: India vs Ireland - Player ratings
India have made it 5 out of 5 and each time the much ostracized Indian bowling unit has bowled the opposition out. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma’s opening partnership built a solid run chase for Indians as the Delhi southpaw scored his second century of the tournament. As India’s ruthless performance continues and Ireland find themselves against the wall, here’s a look at how the players fared in today’s game:
India
Rohit Sharma – 7/10
It’s been quite some time since Rohit Sharma got a big one, and this game was his golden opportunity. He did start off well, stitching a 174 run partnership with Shikhar Dhawan before edging one on to the stumps. His 66-ball 64 ensured that India never looked uncomfortable in the chase.
Shikhar Dhawan – 9/10
Before the tournament, if anyone suggested that Dhawan would be India’s star batsman in the tournament, it would have been laughable to say the least. But come the big stage, Dhawan has delivered wonderfully, scoring time and again and placing himself at the 2nd position in the highest run-getters list in CWC 2015. His 8th century came in 84 balls, with 11 fours and 5 sixes.
Virat Kohli – 7/10
After executing a brilliant run-out to dismiss Stuart Thompson, Virat Kohli looked smoking hot with the bat in hand. He barely scored anything behind square on the leg side but compensated for that with some heavy run scoring on the off. His 42-ball 44 came with ease, and his best was reserved for the winning shot of the game to win the match. It seems as though he is simply waiting for an opportunity to bat longer and score big.
Ajinkya Rahane – 7/10
Two catches and a quick-fire 33 ensured that Rahane had done just enough to help in an India win. He came into bat after Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan departed in a short span of time, and helped Virat Kohli in revitalizing the Indian chase.
Suresh Raina – 7/10
Suresh Raina was chiefly responsible for the fact that the Irish never got away after their strong start. He bowled his ten overs at breakneck speed and picked up the crucial wicket of man in form, Ed Joyce. On slowish decks, Raina has provided MS Dhoni the luxury of a third spinner.
MS Dhoni – 8/10
The Indian captain was very talkative behind the stumps, constantly advising his bowlers on what to do and what not to. Like we have seen recently, he seems more involved and proactive in decision making. He made sure that the Irish batsmen could not do much with the solid start that they had got early on in the innings.
Ravindra Jadeja – 6/10
A bit expensive on the given day, Jadeja bowled well in patches. He took one wicket, but might need to do a little more to repose the faith his captain has showed in him.
Ravichandran Ashwin – 9/10
Perhaps, the only other player who was as deserving of the Man of the Match award as Dhawan was. Ashwin took the first wicket and put the brakes on an accelerating Irish batting show. He took another later on in the innings and gave absolutely nothing away in the 10 overs he bowled. He looped the ball, and didn’t shy away from bowling the straighter ones. Ashwin looks dangerous ahead of what can be a semi-final outing at Sydney.
Mohammed Shami – 8/10
Shami continues to impress, leading what was till a few months back, a much maligned Indian bowling unit. There’s been considerable improvement in his pace, and a shorter run up has given him control. All he needs to do now is to continue to take those early wickets.
Umesh Yadav – 6/10
Yadav held on to three good catches, but was extremely expensive while bowling. The Irish batsmen attacked him to such an extent that MS Dhoni had to remove him from bowling after just four overs.
Mohit Sharma – 6/10
With an economy on the higher side, this wasn’t perhaps Sharma’s best outing. A single wicket from six overs is all that he got.