ICC World Cup 2015: India vs Ireland - Player ratings

Shikhar Dhawan celebrating after scoring his second century of the tournament

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.

Ireland players celebrating after taking the wicket of Rohit Sharma

Ireland

Wil Porterfield – 8/10

The Irish captain was brilliant with the bat against a strong opposition today. He scored 67 impactful runs, and put on an 89 run partnership with Paul Stirling at the top of the order. Although the bulk of his runs came down the ground, he showed no difficulty in playing shots through the covers or off his pads. Had Porterfield hung around a little longer, the Indians would’ve had to chase a lot more than what they ended up chasing.

Paul Stirling – 7/10

Porterfield’s partner in crime, the meaty Stirling established his authority right from the start as he hit some great shots off the bowling of Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami. It took the guile of Ravi Ashwin to dismiss him on 42. On any other day, his start could’ve been converted into a fine half century.

Ed Joyce – 2/10

Ed Joyce was the man to watch out for at the start of this encounter. But he failed miserably, tried to play Suresh Raina too early and getting bowled in the process.

Niall O’Brien – 8/10

O’Brien’s love for India continued with a fine run-a-ball 75. He spent nearly 90 minutes on the pitch, and was one of the last batsmen to get out. He hit as many as 7 boundaries and 3 sixes in his 75.

Andy Balbirnie – 6/10

Balbirnie was looking good till he decided to play an unneeded sweep off the bowling of Ashwin. It was innings full of potential, and unfortunately, that’s all it was.

Kevin O’Brien – 1/10

Like Ed Joyce, there was a lot expected from the big hitting Kevin O’Brien. But it turned out to be a huge disappointment, as O’Brien knicked one to MS Dhoni and walked away after playing just two balls.

Gary Wilson – 2/10

Gary Wilson’s only contribution to his team’s efforts was in the form of some good saves behind the wicket. Barring that, he didn’t do anything of note.

Stuart Thompson – 6/10

While Thompson could have avoided attempting that run that got him out, he took the wickets of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, to compensate for the same.

John Mooney – 5/10

John Mooney played a critical part in beating England at Bangalore, 4 years ago and hence, a lot was expected out of the seasoned campaigner when India came calling. However, all Mooney could do was score 12* and give away runs at seven an over.

George Dockrell – 3/10

Bowled in bad areas and got hammered by the Indian batsmen. Especially the openers.

Alex Cusack – 5/10

Tried hanging around towards the end of the Irish innings, but to no avail. With the ball in hand, he was one of the better bowlers from his side.