The first two ODIs have been done and dusted and India have come on top on both occasions. One more win and India will equal the record for most ODI wins in addition to winning the series. Here is a rating of the team in the two games that have been played so far:
Rohit Sharma (5/10):
Rohit Sharma hasn’t gotten going yet but with Rohit Sharma, the next big innings is just around the corner. He was looking good in the first ODI until he got out for 28 but didn’t do much in the second. Rohit Sharma will have to lift his game and put up a good show in the remaining matches. He is a quality player but there is very tight competition for the opening slot in ODI cricket.
Ajinkya Rahane (7/10):
After a poor first ODI, Rahane bounced back with a good half-century in the second match. He has shown that he is a class player who needs to be included in the team at some place or the other. Rahane would be desperate to keep his run scoring form going in the third ODI.
Virat Kohli (8/10):
Vira Kohli did get out cheaply in the first match but more than made up for it with a brilliant 92 in the second game. He will look to push on from here and continue his fine form. He is a top quality batsman and loves batting against Australia.
Manish Pandey (3/10):
Since Manish Pandey is in the team purely as a batsman, he hasn’t contributed much at all. Having hit only 3 runs in two games, he knows the pressure is on and he needs to step up. The third ODI will be a crucial one for Manish Pandey.
MS Dhoni (8.5/10):
At Chennai, MS Dhoni stood up and made himself count with a brilliant innings that helped stabilise the innings. He was at his marauding best behind the stumps and is still one of the most important players for the country.
Kedar Jadhav (6.5/10):
Was looking good in the first ODI till he hit 40 and got out but did not do much in the second ODI. He will look to improve his numbers and further cement his place in the squad. He didn’t field in the last few overs because of an ankle sprain.
Hardik Pandya (9/10):
After smashing a brilliant 83 in the first ODI, Pandya also picked up a few wickets to be adjudged man of the match. In the second ODI, he showed his bowling ability as he picked up the crucial wicket of Smith that turned things around.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (8/10):
Bhuvi has been in tremendous form off late and even showed that he can be a handy batsman with his big hitting at the end of the first ODI. He was at his brilliant best bowling in the second match as he picked up 3 wickets for just 9 runs.
Yuzvendra Chahal (7/10):
Chahal has been great in both the ODIs as he picked up crucial wickets when it looked like the game would get away. His wicket of Maxwell in both the games ensured that India would not have to worry about his big hitting.
Kuldeep Yadav( (8/10):
Yadav got tonked by Maxwell in the first ODI but still picked up wickets. In the second ODI, he was superb, and was rewarded with a hat-trick and ensured that he got his name into the history books.
Jasprit Bumrah (7/10):
The first ODI was won because Bumrah was able to get things started with regards to the bowling department. His action bamboozled the Aussies as they fell. Bowled well in the second ODI despite the fact he did not pick up wickets. Bumrah is one of the best fast bowlers in world cricket and also one of the best yorker exponents.
By Rohit Nair
