IND vs SL 2024, 2nd ODI: India player ratings as middle-order collapse results in disappointing defeat
Team India's chances of winning the three-match series against Sri Lanka evaporated on a humid night in Colombo as they lost by 32 runs on Sunday, August 4. The Men in Blue were handed another tricky chase, and the middle order couldn't get out of jail this time.
Charith Asalanka won the toss and opted to bat, after which Sri Lanka did well to get to a competitive 240/9 despite having zero individual fifties in the innings. The spinners, particularly Jeffrey Vandersay, destroyed the visitors' middle order to take a 1-0 lead in the rubber.
On that note, here are India's player ratings from the second ODI against Sri Lanka.
IND vs SL 2024: Rohit shines amid the rubble
Rohit Sharma: 9/10
Rohit was a class apart once again as he picked off the Sri Lankan bowlers with scary ease in the powerplay. He struck five fours and four sixes in a rapid knock that put India well ahead of the asking rate once again. However, the skipper couldn't bat through.
Shubman Gill: 6/10
Gill played a better knock when compared to the first ODI, but he wasn't at his best. He attempted a loose drive against a big-turning legbreak to be caught at slip.
Virat Kohli: 4/10
Kohli survived a close LBW shout, but one that went straight on trapped him plumb in front. Even when he was at the crease, the India No. 3 didn't play percentage cricket.
Shreyas Iyer: 3/10
Shreyas, who was demoted to No. 6, couldn't pull India out of another tricky situation in spin-friendly conditions. Vandersay's straighter one beat his inside edge, and even a review couldn't save him. He was sprightly on the field.
KL Rahul: 2/10
For the second game running, Rahul played a loose shot to be dismissed. It was a disappointing dismissal from a batter who hasn't been able to balance restraint and aggression lately.
Shivam Dube: 3/10
Dube earned a promotion to No. 4 but looked all at sea for the four balls he was out there. His defensive technique against spin and strike rotation leaves a lot to be desired. The all-rounder bowled two uneventful overs.
Axar Patel: 8.5/10
Axar was threatening and beat the bat many times, but he had only one wicket for his efforts. He didn't even bowl out his quota of 10 overs. The southpaw played another clutch knock in tough conditions but couldn't get India over the line.
Kuldeep Yadav: 7.5/10
Kuldeep was penetrative as always, but India would've expected more wickets from their lead spinner. He did return two, though, and kept things tight. Some straighter variations would've helped him.
Washington Sundar: 8/10
Sundar was the most economical of India's bowlers and picked up a couple of wickets as well. He was tough to contend with in Colombo.
Mohammed Siraj: 5/10
Siraj set the ball rolling with a wicket off the first ball, but his spell was rather mediocre thereafter. He didn't resort to his cutters often enough and leaked 43 runs in eight overs despite a promising opening spell.
Arshdeep Singh: 3/10
Arshdeep too had a terrible outing in Colombo. He was by far India's most expensive bowler and didn't appear threatening at any stage of the innings.