India vs Sri Lanka: Player ratings from the first ODI

The first ODI was a completely one-sided encounter as the visitors completely dominated the Indian batting lineup. Displaying the quality of their bowling by taking advantage of the wicket, Sri Lankans completely caused the Indian batting to collapse.

The Indian team might have to learn and rectify their mistakes and try to overcome their weaknesses before they start touring overseas in 2018.

Sri Lanka seized every opportunity in taking wickets as they prevented India from settling down. The first ODI was a perfect match for the Sri Lankan fans and probably a match to forget for the Indian fans.

Let us take a look at how each of them progressed in the match.

India

Rohit Sharma: 3.5/10

The 24th Indian ODI skipper had a horrendous start to his captaincy career as he was completely outclassed by the late swing of Lakmal and caught an edge of the bat that carried to the keeper. He didn’t look very comfortable in the few balls he faced, which raises questions about his ability against swing bowling.

Shikhar Dhawan – 3/10

The Delhi opener lost his wicket again by the deceit of swing bowling. He played the ball too early on the front foot and Mathews bowled the perfect line to get him out. He didn't have much of an influence in the rest of the match apart from the catch of Tharanga.

Shreyas Iyer – 4/10

The debutant played 27 balls and had enough time to get adjusted to the conditions and convert his start into a good score. However, he lost his wicket in a rather lethargic manner, as he didn’t move his feet towards the ball, which resulted in an inside edge to the stumps.

Dinesh Karthik – 2.5/10

At the moment, Karthik has the best chance to seal his spot in the team as the team is looking to solve the middle order conundrum. On this occasion, Karthik failed to grab his chance, as he played 18 balls and didn’t score a single run. He added pressure on himself, his partner and the team as well as he got out - courtesy Lakmal.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni – 8.5/10

The former Indian captain scored a valuable 65 in difficult conditions, making him the top scorer for the team and the match. Known for his calmness and composure, Dhoni portrayed the same exact skills and abilities whilst dealing with pressure. He would have hoped for someone to stay at the other end to build a good partnership.

Hardik Pandya – 4.5/10

Pandya played his normal attacking style of cricket for which he is best known. However, his attempt to leave the ball was outclassed by the late swing of Pradeep. He should have played with a little more patience and formed a partnership with Dhoni to get India to a decent target.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar - 6/10

With the ball, Kumar bowled well in the early stages of the Sri Lankan innings and was rewarded with the wicket of Thirimanne. He tried hard to take wickets, but the Sri Lankan batsmen were under no pressure of chasing a big score and managed his bowling accordingly.

Kuldeep Yadav - 6.5/10

Surprisingly, the chinaman performed well with the bat and formed a decent partnership with Dhoni. He played several elegant shots for the boundary and scored a handy 19. He didn't get to bowl in the second innings and would've probably liked a couple of overs given to him by the captain.

Jasprit Bumrah - 5.5/10

Bumrah used his wicket-taking ability and got the first breakthrough of the Sri Lankan team by taking the wicket of Gunathilaka. However, his issues with the no-ball have extended to this match, as he took the wicket of Tharanga on a no-ball, which might have been a turning point in the match.

Yuzvendra Chahal - 4.5/10

For the most part, Chahal had no influence on the game as he didn't get to bowl and came towards the end to bat. He did well with the bat as Dhoni was scoring at the other end.

Sri Lanka

Suranga Lakmal outclassed the Indian batting lineup

Danushka Gunathilaka - 4.5/10

The Sri Lankan opener didn't look settled at the crease and played a rather unnecessary shot to give his wicket to Bumrah. He took a decent catch to dismiss Dhoni in the deep. He may have hoped to stay through the innings and finish the match for Sri Lanka.

Upul Tharanga - 7/10

He sarted attacking from the beginning and hit 10 fours in the 49 runs scored by him. He appeared to be a threat for the Indian bowlers since the commencement of the innings and had a brief moment of luck due to the No ball wicket by Bumrah.

Lahiru Thirimanne - 3.5/10

In a match dominated by Sri Lanka, Thirimanne didn't have the best time on the field. He lost his wicket for a duck to Bhuvaneshwar's swinging delivery and didn't have much of an impact in the first innings.

Angelo Mathews - 8.5/10

The Sri Lankan all-rounder had a perfect match. He took the crucial wicket of Dhawan with a swinging delivery that caught him in front of the stumps. He orchestrated his innings well and scored a good 25 to see Sri Lanka through.

He also took two fine slip catches to finish his all-round performance. Overall, the all-rounder had an amazing match and will look forward to continuing his performances in the upcoming matches.

Niroshan Dickwella - 8.5/10

The Sri Lanka wicketkeeper had a splendid game of cricket. He was involved in three wickets and also assisted the skipper to make the DRS decisions. He had a good time with the bat as he scored a quick 26 and formed a partnership with Mathews to help Sri Lanka win the first ODI.

Asela Gunaratne - 5/10

Gunaratne didn't get a chance to bat and had no role to play in either of the innings. He didn't influence the game in any manner since he didn't get the opportunity to bat.

Thisara Perera - 7/10

The Sri Lankan skipper had a spectacular match as a captain. His team performed extremely well and he made all the right decisions with DRS, bowling and fielding changes. He also took the main wicket of the dangerous MS Dhoni to conclude the first innings.

Sachith Pathirana - 6/10

Pathirana had an average match as he bowled only four overs. He took the wicket of Bumrah towards the end and had nothing else to do during the entire match.

Suranga Lakmal - 9.5/10

The man of the match was definitely the highlight of the game. He bowled the perfect line and length throughout the match and troubled all the batsmen he went against. He took 4 wickets using his late swinging abilities which included the crucial wicket of the Indian skipper. He utilized the pitch magnificently as he gave only an astonishing 13 runs in his 10 overs.

Akila Dananjaya - 7/10

Dananjaya had a pretty good game of cricket. He bowled only 5 overs and gave 7 runs and took a wicket - Kuldeep. Apart from that, he didn't have a major impact in the first ODI of the series.

Nuwan Pradeep Fernando - 8.5/10

The 31-year-old had a great match as he took two wickets of Iyer and Pandya. He bowled in the perfect areas and unsettled the Indian batting lineup. He supported Lakmal well at the other end as he kept building pressure, which allowed both the bowlers opportunities to take wickets.