Indian batsmen dominated in the first innings of the second ODI against the hosts New Zealand at Bay Oval (Mount Maunganui) as the visiting side managed 324/4 at the end of 50 overs.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli decided to bat first after winning the toss. The Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan provided a very good start as they put a solid 154-run partnership. Both the openers scored half-centuries as Sharma completed it in 62 balls and Dhawan completed in 53 balls.
Dhawan lost his wicket on 66 off 67 balls (9 fours) while Sharma played the 87-run knock in 96 balls (9 fours and 3 sixes). After that, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli had the 64-run partnership with Ambati Rayudu for the third wicket. Kohli lost his wicket on 43 runs off 45 balls (5 fours). Later, Rayudu was also dismissed on 47 runs off 49 balls (3 fours and only six).
In the end, MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav had the quick-fire 53-run unbroken partnership for the fifth wicket that helped the visiting side to score 324/4 at the end of 50 overs. While Dhoni remained not out on 48 off 33 balls (5 fours and only six), Jadhav played a great cameo knock of 22 off 10 balls (3 fours and only six).
Among the New Zealand bowlers, Trent Boult (2/61) and Lockie Ferguson (2/81) were the only bowlers to pick up the wickets in that innings.
Some key stats of the innings:
- At the end of this innings, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli has scored 1,242 ODI runs against New Zealand. The second most run-scorer in the ODI history between India and New Zealand (surpassed the former New Zealand batsman Nathan Astle’s runs tally 1,207 runs).
- New Zealand left-arm pacer Trent Boult (401 wickets) completed his 400 international wickets. Fifth Kiwi bowler and only second Kiwi left-arm Kiwi bowler (after Daniel Vettori) to claim 400 international wickets.
- At the end of this innings, New Zealand left-arm pacer Trent Boult has taken 95 ODI wickets at home. Most ODI wickets for a left-arm pacer at home. The previous record holder was Zaheer Khan (India) with 94 ODI wickets at home.
- India scored 324/4 in 50 overs. India’s second highest ODI total in New Zealand. The record is 392/4 (50 overs) against New Zealand at Christchurch on 8 March 2009.
Here are some Twitter reactions:
Last over changed the dynamics a little….still feel that 350+ was the score India should have got from 173/2 in 30 overs. #NZvInd @StarSportsIndia
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 26, 2019
324 is a good score in isolation, probably par on this ground. But India are about 20 short of where they should have been finished given that start.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 26, 2019
Dhoni and Jadhav seem to revel in batting together! Late flourish takes India to a very good, if not intimidating, score.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 26, 2019
MS Dhoni in 2019:
48*, 87*, 55*, 51
Average – 241 🙏🏽🙏🏽#NZvIND #NZvsIND
— Khurram Siddiquee (@iamkhurrum12) January 26, 2019
Actually today it was Kohli and Rayudu who break the momentum & speed set by openers by playing under 100 strike rate in this small ground… Dhoni and Jadav somehow tried to restore that momentum.. Let's see what our Bowlers are capable of #IndiaVsNz #NzvsInd @ESPNcricinfo
— Sameer Singh (@SameerSmart4289) January 26, 2019
#RohitSharma 4th 200 coming soon 😻#NZvsIND
— Vishnu Varma (@thesane_1) January 26, 2019
Looking at how @ImRo45 and @SDhawan25 are taking chances so early in the innings, it seems like this is going to be a 350-400 game. #NZvsIND
— Bhargav Rishi (@im_MBRishi) January 26, 2019
Looking at how @ImRo45 and @SDhawan25 are taking chances so early in the innings, it seems like this is going to be a 350-400 game. #NZvsIND
— Bhargav Rishi (@im_MBRishi) January 26, 2019
From last 3 years i am too bored to see dhoni's weak batting and always supported to not including in indian team but from last 4 inning he prooved again so need to be appriciate 👏👏@msdhoni #NZvsIND
— hunter bhai (@i_amsiddz) January 26, 2019
@msdhoni sir surpasses sir @BrianLara in the list of highest odi run getter , in the second odi match against New Zealand in New Zealand , by scoring 48 unbeaten . #NZvsIND .
— Syed Arsalan Ahmed (@SyedArsalanAh18) January 26, 2019
