It was a forgettable outing for the Indian team in the first ODI against New Zealand at the Seddon Park in Hamilton as the hosts defeated the Men in Blue by four wickets as they chased down a humongous target of 348 runs with 11 balls to spare. Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, and Tom Latham were the frontrunner for the demolition of the wall created by the Indian batsmen as the Blackcaps went 1-0 up in the series with the win in Hamilton.
For India, Shardul Thakur was immensely criticized for conceding a plethora of runs as the Indian seamer gave away a staggering 80 runs in his nine overs including one where he conceded 21 runs in the 40th over of the match. Cricket fans took to Twitter and called for the inclusion of youngster Navdeep Saini to replace Thakur in the second ODI of the three-match series.
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While Thakur got the nod in the playing XI due to his batting ability down the order, fans were left shocked not to see Saini despite impressing in the T20I series. Thakur was smashed all over the park by the likes of Latham and Taylor with the fans finding it difficult to digest losing patience over his inclusion in the side.
Here’s how Twitterati called for Navdeep Saini’s inclusion on the expense of Thakur:
Unfortunate Navdeep Saini, despite winning the Man of the Series in the last ODI series, doesn't find a spot in this team, he is a wicket taking bowler, who breaks partnerships. A bits & pieces bowler like Shardul will get a wicket when a batsman tries to hit him for the 3rd six.
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) February 5, 2020
New Zealand wins the 1st ODI, a sheer class from Ross Taylor and Tom Latham in the chase with Henry Nicholls great start. India did all good with the bat but in bowling department they failed miserably, Shardul Thakur should be dropped in next game and Saini should be picked.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/FarziCricketer/status/1224989767323934721
Indian fans after hearing that Shardul is getting picked over Saini#INDvsNZ
pic.twitter.com/j8XtoZ0l1g— N (@clobberinntime) February 5, 2020
Shardul Thakur in Today's Match#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/kYXWBtEFMj
— Kisslay Jha🇮🇳 (@KisslayJha) February 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/fallingrains15/status/1225000059017711616
Shardul over Saini!#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/SZUlH3Jbq2
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 5, 2020
Bring back Kulcha and enough of Shardul. Saini should be XI.
Chahal and kuldeep would be better option.
To take wicket in middle over you need to create pressure.
Go with 5 genuine bowler and 6 batsman.#NZvIND— 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 (@Jerseyno93) February 5, 2020
As far as the match is concerned, Ross Taylor’s 21st ODI ton was good enough for the hosts to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Despite posting a mammoth total of 347 runs, the Indian team lost the game by four wickets. Henry Nicholls and Tom Latham also scored half-centuries and especially, the latter’s innings made the chase look easier. Until Latham arrived at the crease, India was well in control of the game.
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For India, Shreyas Iyer scored his maiden international century batting at four. Apart from him, Kohli and KL Rahul also scored the fifties even as the latter looked like settling into his role in the middle-order. Rahul remained unbeaten on 88 off just 64 deliveries with three fours and six sixes to his name.
