Australia vs India 2016 1st ODI: Player Ratings

Twin centuries from Steven Smith and George Bailey ensured Australia comfortably chased down 310 in the first ODI of the five-match series against India, in Perth. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, India got to 309/3 on the back of Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking 171*.

After Shikhar Dhawan was out early, Rohit and Virat Kohli set the platform for a 300+ score with a second-wicket partnership worth 207. Cameos from MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja towards the end helped propel India to 309.

Despite losing Aaron Finch and David Warner inside five overs, Smith and Bailey’s 242-run partnership for the third wicket brought Australia to within touching distance of a record chase at Perth.

Although both Smith and Bailey weren’t there to see their side home, they did more than enough to help secure a 1-0 lead for the hosts.

Here are the player ratings for the first ODI.

India

Rohit Sharma: 9

Despite his poor form in the Test series against South Africa, Rohit Sharma showed that he is a completely different player in the shorter format of the game. Taking the attack to the bowlers right from the start, Rohit ensured India got to their highest total against Australia in Australia.

Shikhar Dhawan: 3

If his opening partner was putting away the bad balls at will, Shikhar Dhawan only managed to continually find the fielder with his shots. He struggled with his timing and was finally put out of his misery, when he top-edged a pull off Josh Hazlewood to Mitchell Marsh at deep square leg.

Virat Kohli: 8

While his bowling was far from impressive, it was with the bat that Kohli made a good impression. His 91 and his 207-run second-wicket partnership with Rohit Sharma helped set the platform for India’s big total, which ultimately wasn’t enough.

Ajinkya Rahane: NA

MS Dhoni: 5

Made a useful cameo with the bat towards the end and made a few curious calls as captain. Whether it was giving Rohit the ball before Ashwin and Jadeja or continuing to persist with the pair when they were leaking runs, Dhoni didn't have a great game as captain on a flat pitch.

Manish Pandey: NA

Ravindra Jadeja: 3

He was more handy with the bat than with the ball, which will certainly be a concern for India. While his brief cameo at the end of the towards helped India cross 300, he wasn't as good with the ball, where he was suprisingly expensive and non-threatening.

Ravichandran Ashwin: 5

After a brilliant 2015, Ashwin failed to replicate his impressive performances both against South Africa and the World Cup last year, where he was tough to get away. Although he picked up two wickets towards the end, he was expensive and didn’t give Dhoni with the control he usually provides.

Umesh Yadav: 7

Umesh Yadav was the only Indian bowler who completed his quota of 10 overs, which is surprising, considering the lack of trust Dhoni seems to have, with the pacer. But an economy rate of under 6 and a flurry of balls that made the batsmen think twice before committing the next shot meant he was one of India’s better bowlers.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 7.5

A late inclusion to the squad after Mohammed Shami’s injury, Bhuvneshwar Kumar put in a performance that was a throwback to his early days. Although he finished wicketless, he was India’s most economical bowler and didn’t give any runs away. He also took a brilliant catch to dismiss Bailey.

Barinder Sran: 8

Although he was making his debut, he was arguably India’s best bowler. Took a wonderful reflex catch to dismiss Finch and got the early breakthroughs India were looking for. He also should have picked up the wicket off Bailey, who was given not out, off the first ball. While his spell towards the end wasn’t as good, he still finished with three wickets in the match.

Australia

David Warner: 2

The southpaw didn't have much to do in the field and when he had the bat in hand, he failed to deliver. He scored an uncharacteristically slow 5 before giving a simple catch to Virat Kohli.

Aaron Finch: 3

Aside from taking the catch that got rid of Virat Kohli on 91, Finch didn't contribute a lot. Although it did take a brilliant return catch from Barinder Sran to remove him for 8.

Steven Smith: 10

Played a captain's innings to guide his side after a tricky start that saw them lose both their openers inside 5 overs. Not only did he score his career-best score in ODIs, but also batted sensibly from the start to finish.

George Bailey: 9

A wonderful hundred under pressure ensured that his team made easy work of what looked like an ominous target. Although the spotlight is always on other players, he improved his already impressive record with a century.

Glenn Maxwell: 3

Although he only bowled three overs, he was expensive and didn't provide his captain with a spin option on a flat pitch. With the bat in hand, he needlessly gave his wicket away and almost put his side in a spot of bother.

Mitchell Marsh: 5

He was solid, if not spectacular with the ball. Considering the placid nature of the wicket, he was alright, without being especially difficult to get away. His unbeaten knock with the bat saw his side home.

Matthew Wade: NA

James Faulkner: 6

Although he was expensive, he was Australia's most successful bowler. He mixed up his pace well and had quite a few variations, but his plan of bouncing Rohit out proved to be unsuccessful. After Smith’s late dismissal, he scored the winning runs as well.

Scott Boland: 2

Had the worst bowling figures on the day and it is fair to say that he didn't have the greatest debut as he was belted around the park by Rohit Sharma in particular. In the death overs, he failed to execute his yorkers perfectly.

Josh Hazlewood: 8

Took some time initially to get his line and length right, but then regularly found the channel outside off and kept the batsmen on their toes. Was Australia's best bowler on the day, even if he only picked up a solitary wicket.

Joel Paris: 3

Started his international career with an in-swinging yorker that was kept out brilliantly by Rohit Sharma, but slowly faded away thereafter. His didn't even finish his quota of 10 overs and went at an economy of 6.6.