The second One Day International (ODI) between India and Sri Lanka, just like the first ODI, turned out to be a one-sided affair, as India won the match by 6 wickets and 21 balls to spare.
Let’s take a look at some of the key performances and rate them according to their contribution in the game.
GRADE A
Ambati Rayudu scored his maiden international hundred in the match, and he was the star performer of the day. Rayudu, who was promoted to bat at No. 3 by Virat Kohli, grabbed the opportunity with both hands and scored 121 runs off 118 balls. Rayudu got into a 122 run partnership with Shikhar Dhawan for the second wicket and took the match away from the reach of Sri Lanka. Rayudu played a flawless knock and strengthened his claim for a spot in the middle order for the World Cup 2015.
Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews is also in the “Grade A” category for his of 92 runs off 101 balls. Mathew batted patiently in the middle overs and later, took the charge in the slog overs. It was Mathews’ partnership with Dhammika Prasad that helped Sri Lanka to reach 274 runs in 50 overs.
The spin-duo of Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin is also in the “Grade A” category. Both Axar and Ashwin bowled tight lines and didn’t allow the Lankan batsmen to score runs in the middle overs. In their 20 overs, they gave 88 runs and took 4 wickets.
Shikhar Dhawan followed his brilliant century in the first ODI with another good performance. Dhawan scored 80 runs off 79 balls.
GRADE B
Kumar Sangakkara scored 61 runs of 84 balls and got out playing a lose shot on a juicy full-toss bowled to him by Umesh Yadav. Sangakkara started well but couldn’t convert his start into a big one.
Lahiru Gamage is also in the “Grade B” category for his tight bowling, in an otherwise high-scoring match. Gamage gave only 28 runs in his 8 overs. Gamage bowled good probing lines, but he was unlucky as a straight forward decision was turned down by the umpire off his bowling when Shikhar Dhawan edged one straight into the hands of Sangakkara, but he was given not out by the umpire.
Virat Kohli played a good attacking innings, but just like Sangakkara, failed to bat through. Kohli scored 49 runs off just 44 balls.
GRADE C
Ravindra Jadea, who is facing a tough competition from Axar Patel, looked completely out of touch and gave 64 runs in his 10 overs.
Mahela Jayawardene is also in the Grade C category for his 4 runs off 11 balls.
Thisara Perera also gets a Grade C for his poor performance with both; bat and ball. Perera gave 35 runs in 4 overs and scored only 10 runs off 12 balls.
Ajinkya Rahane, after getting a Grade A in the first ODI, has slipped down to Grade C for his 8 runs of 19 balls.
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By The Cricket Lounge
