Under the leadership of Virat Kohli, Team India produced another dominant performance at the Eden Park in Auckland to take the initial advantage in the second ODI of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Yuzvendra Chahal and Shardul Thakur made most of the damage for the men in blue while Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor scored the fifties for the hosts. 

Initially, it was Kohli, who won his first toss on the tour and opted to bowl first in Auckland. But, what followed wasn’t great for India, as Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls added as many as 93 runs for the opening partnership. Then came the breakthrough from Yuzvendra Chahal when Nicholls was trapped in front of the wicket.

WATCH – Rocket Throw Of Jadeja Sends Back Neesham

However, Tom Blundell added 49 runs for the second wicket along with Guptill before making his way back to the pavilion. It was quickly followed by the dismissal of the latter when Shardul Thakur affected a runout. It triggered the sudden downfall of New Zealand, as they quickly lost Tom Latham and James Neesham to give complete advantage to the Indian team.

Neesham was dismissed by the bullet throw of Ravindra Jadeja while Latham was dismissed LBW by the same Jadeja. The wicket of Colin de Grandhomme further broke the confidence of the Kiwis as they lost their way in the middle. Much like previous games, it was Taylor once again, who saved New Zealand from further embarrassment. He alongside Kyle Jamieson added 76 runs for the 9th wicket along with the debutant, Kyle Jamieson. New Zeland finished their quota of 50 overs with the tally of 273/8.

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For India, it was a perfect innings for Shardul, who not only picked wickets but also looked agile on the field. He was well supported by Chahal and Jadeja to make things fall in place.

Here are a few tweets:

What a meltdown from New Zealand, the weight of knowing they need 300+ against this batting lineup has derailed their course! #NZvIND #ODI

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) February 8, 2020

https://twitter.com/omrajguru/status/1226013968889593856

https://twitter.com/KohliFanteam/status/1226018777474535424

You call him whatever you want.. leg side bully or whatever..

Ross Taylor is a legend ❤️😍#INDvNZ

— Cric Castle (@CastleCric) February 8, 2020

Take a bow Ross Taylor! At one stage, it looked like 220-230 would be hard to get but NZ have got 270! They've played the pacers well but had a lot of brainfades against spinners! Please don't waste this effort by being poor with the ball! Just win the game! #NZvIND

— Anirudh (@OffDrive_) February 8, 2020

Absolute Masterclass from @RossLTaylor! 🙌
The midwicket region should be renamed after him as 'Ross Taylor Arc'. #INDvsNZ

— Akash Kulwal (@kulwal_akash) February 8, 2020

https://twitter.com/Aryan_twts/status/1226010709743435776

Oh neesham boiiii…. You are so funnyyy…. You are hilarious af… Hahaha…hohohoho…hehehe

— z N e D (@MadMart05) February 8, 2020

@yuzi_chahal is a champion player..you drop him and he will always come up with great performances..never drop him again @imVkohli#NZvIND

— Vatsal Patel (@vatsal__15) February 8, 2020

Just how quickly a game can change was seen at Auckland.. NZ well placed at 157-2.. Guptill got run out for 79 and innings fell apart… Kohli is so positive, aggressive and makes things happen… great recovery by India

— Shahid Hashmi (@hashmi_shahid) February 8, 2020

https://twitter.com/omrajguru/status/1226014871403122688

Ross Taylor trying to hold the NZ innings together after the collapse#NZvIND #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/f0aWab6zYt

— Sid Grover (@GroverSid) February 8, 2020