Team India witness yet another top-order collapse in Wellington which was expected to be a repeat of Hamilton debacle. At 18/4, it was certainly looking like one. But the duo of Ambati Rayudu and Vijay Shankar soaked in all the pressure and slowly took India back in the game. They scored 98 runs for the fifth wicket to bail India out of the trouble to some extent as India reached a total of 252.
Shankar was the one who took the initiative in the partnership and he was looking comfortable in the as Rayudu was struggling miserably. But once they got hold of the pitch, then the run-scoring became easy. But the 32nd witnessed an ugly mix-up between the two players and Shankar had to lose his wicket when the things were just starting to look better for the visitors.
WATCH – Ambati Rayudu Smacks Humongous Sixes To Colin Munro
Colin Munro’s back of length delivery was punched wide of the short midwicket fielder by Shankar. He didn’t call Rayudu for a run as the batsman was waiting it to forgo past Jimmy Neesham. But Ambati looked in some sort of a hurry and ran through to leave his partner helpless. Shankar had to oblige and try to complete a run. However, it was too late by then and Munro dislodged the bails in time.
Here is the video of the run-out:
https://vimeo.com/315047335
Neesham’s throw was wayward but Munro was at the right place to collect the ball and managed a direct hit to send Shankar packing. He amassed 45 off 64 deliveries with four fours and looked really good in his first batting opportunity at the international level. He was furious after the dismissal as he had done all the hard work when the ball was swinging and could’ve scored a big one.
Meanwhile, Twitterati was furious with Rayudu as the fans blamed him for selling his partner down the river. Nevertheless, Rayudu is making amends for it by playing a fantastic innings and is looking good for a century but he was also dismissed for 90.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
https://twitter.com/Monty2Kumar/status/1091913712179396608
Selfish rayudu run out shankar… He was trying it for a while now…at last he succeeded…@BCCI #NZvIND
— Imran Khan (@ikhan_ind) February 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/SriniMaama16/status/1091913161593122816
Rayudu is gonna play anyway. At least could have sacrificed. Shankar was playing way better. Rayudu was playing a fidgety knock. Selfish prick doesn't do it
— AD (@cricadharsh) February 3, 2019
With Rayudu, there is always that danger of a run out. Unlucky Vijay. 😭 He was playing better shots than Rayudu. #NZvIND
— Aishu 🏏 (@imaishu_) February 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/imsgshinde/status/1091911782787047425
Rayudu ran out Shankar there. Youngster deserved better. #NZvIND
— KASHISH (@crickashish217) February 3, 2019
That was atrocious running! What was that from Shankar and Rayudu!? Appalling! #NZvIND
— Shiamak Baria-Unwalla (@Crikipedia) February 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/19_deshpande/status/1091908166646984704
