India grades v South Africa

India managed to throw a lot of pre-World Cup predictor bets off by not only beating, but totally bossing South Africa in their second World Cup match. Does this make India a genuine contender? Given how long a way there is still to go, and given the format of this World Cup, it's still too early to say, but it's fair to say that India are going to be a threat, especially if they bat first. Let's look at two key points from the match, followed by India player grades.

Almost perfect bowling and fielding performance by India

If you thought the bowling performance against Pakistan was good, this one was even better. The bowlers bowled to their plans, hardly gave any loose balls away and the fielders threw themselves all over the place to back the bowlers up. What was most pleasing was that while you expect the likes of Kohli, Raina and Rahane to make an impact while fielding, Mohit Sharma and Umesh Yadav affected run outs with powerful and accurate throws from the boundary. Mohit, in particular, is turning out to be a revelation. Ishant Sharma and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar must be starting to get a bit nervous about their places in the ODI team. 

Batting performance nearly a replica of the Pakistan match

Early wicket - check. One of the top 3 going on to score a century - check. One partnership to restore the innings between Dhawan and Kohli and then another to keep the momentum going with the no. 4 batsman having a real impact - check. Lower middle order not clicking and the innings ending with a whimper - check. India need to keep this formula going but need to figure out a way for the lower order to contribute more. It may be time for Dhoni and maybe even Jadeja to come up the order in one of the remaining group matches to get some time in the middle ahead of the knockouts. 

Player ratings out of 10 (0-10; 10=best)

Rohit Sharma (3) - Cricket can be a cruel game. The in-form batsman coming in to the World Cup and he's now got out cheaply twice. While Rohit may have slipped slightly and AB  de Villiers was absolutely outstanding, it's these kinds of margins that international cricketers have to straddle all the time. Rohit really needs a big innings to get back into rhythm. Given how weak the middle and lower order has been, India would dearly love their top 4 to get into form. 

Shikhar Dhawan (9.5) - Nearly a complete batting performance. He seemed to carry the form from the Pakistan match into this one and really made it count. This was a lesson in ODI innings building. He rotated the strike well, accelerated when he needed to with excellent cricketing shots and did not get overly frustrated when India had a quiet over or two in the middle of the innings. Made South Africa pay for the dropped catch and was a deserved Man of the Match. Two shots off Morkel really stood out - the pull for four after being troubled by a short ball and the casual flick for six over long leg off the same bowler when he walked across his stumps. Also took a couple of important catches and put in a solid fielding effort. 

Virat Kohli (8) - Was key in rebuilding the innings calmly after the loss of an early wicket. Kohli played perfect foil to Dhawan and did not take any undue risks when he realized that Dhawan was middling it. He's been in trouble trying to pull away shortish deliveries from legspinners on the faster pitches in Australia in both matches thus far. He'd do well to make an adjustment and account for the extra zip and overspin. Another mature batsman from India's batting lynchpin. 

Ajinkya Rahane (9) - Rahane dispelled all doubts about his middle order credentials in the Indian ODI team with this performance. He did not take time to get going when he came in, looked fluent from the off, rotated the strike and also found the odd boundary to take the pressure off Dhawan. His straight drive off Morkel was stunning, so was his straight six off Steyn just before he got out. He needs to bat at 4 since he's shown how dangerous he can be without resorting to mindless slogging. He is quietly turning into India's best batsman and fielder in ODIs. 

Suresh Raina (5) - Cricket can be such a great leveler. After a standout performance against Pakistan, Raina played into the hands of the South Africans here. I suspect Morkel had sent him a letter (by snail mail, no less) a year ago telling him exactly how he would be bowling at him during this World Cup match. And instead of trying to control his pull shots and get Rahane on strike, Raina proceeded to not only walk into the trap, but stay for a cup of tea and a chat. However, he was electric on the field and that gives him an extra point. Did miss a run out of Amla after doing all the hard work, however. 

MS Dhoni (6) - Another average batting performance followed up by a flawless captaincy display. He briefly threatened with the bat before falling to Morkel. He desperately needs some time in the middle - something he should be able to arrange against the UAE. However, his attacking captaincy has been a real revelation. Even after the first powerplay, he kept 6 fielders in the circle against AB and Faf and that pressure forced Faf to take some risks for his boundaries. He saved Ashwin for the left handers in South Africa's middle order and used Umesh Yadav in short, sharp bursts. Almost perfect to a T. 

Ravindra Jadeja (4) - At this point, I doubt that even his grandmother refers to him as allrounder anymore. He may end up keeping his place in the team for this World Cup simply because there are no other options. His bowling was against steady without being threatening, but he did bowl a good over at AB that may have led to the pressure that caused his run out. India need way more from their no. 7 with the bat, however. 

R Ashwin (8.5) - Another fantastic spin bowling performance from Ashwin. He started off with a few short deliveries that Faf took advantage off, but really came into his own when given the chance to bowl at the left handers in South Africa's middle order. Once he settled into a rhythm, he was really hard to milk for singles and ended up getting rid of the dangerous Duminy. He seems to be bowling slower and enjoying the extra bounce on the Aussie pitches. 

Mohammed Shami (9.5) - Easily the best he's bowled in an India shirt in the last two matches. Shami showed that he has what it takes to lead India's attack in this ODI. Delivered an early wicket again and it's hard to think of one poor delivery that Shami bowled throughout his spell. He keeps growing in confidence with every match and that's an excellent sign for India. 

Umesh Yadav (6.5) - 6-0-34-0 may not look special, but this was a much improved bowling performance from the one against Pakistan. Started off being too straight to Amla, but adjusted well and bowled in good channels. He was also pretty unlucky as three top edges that may have gone straight up on another day ended up going for boundaries behind the keeper. He made the batsman take risks to score boundaries against him and if he keeps bowling like this, the wickets are bound to come. Great throw from the deep to run out the dangerous Miller. 

Mohit Sharma (9) - Mohit Sharma may end up being India's surprise package of this World Cup. He is clearly enjoying the little bit of nip that the pitches in Australia afford him. He did not bowl a single bad delivery last night and focused on keeping things really simple. He bowled a really well directed bouncer to get rid of the dangerous Amla and got Faf's wicket with good, sharp, wicket-to-wicket bowling. His throw to get rid of AB de Villiers was one of those key moments on which close matches turn. 

Do you agree with the ratings? Do you have any thoughts on the match in general? Please let me know in the comments.