Match Report
NZ vs Ind (First ODI): Visitors India Begins The Tour With A Comfortable Victory
By Sandy - Jan 23, 2019 2:37 pm
Views 55

The visiting side India comfortably won the first ODI of the five-match ODI series against the hosts New Zealand at McLean Park (Napier) on Wednesday (23 January). After bundling out the hosts for just 157 runs, India chased down the revised target of 156 runs (in 49 overs) comfortably in 34.5 overs after losing just two wickets.

Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli guided the Indian team for an easy chase

The host side decided to bat first after winning the toss. Mohammed Shami, the Indian pacer, provided a great start by dismissing both the openers at a very early stage – Martin Guptill (5) and Colin Munro (8).

After that, the Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor provided a 34-run partnership for the third wicket before Taylor was dismissed on 24 runs.

Also watch: Lightening Fast MS Dhoni Produces Wicket For India 

Since then, New Zealand lost their wickets in regular intervals in the front of Indian spinners. The Kiwi skipper tried hard but didn’t get enough help from the next batsmen. Williamson completed his half-century in 63 balls as he scored 64 off 81 balls before losing his wicket. None of other Kiwi batsmen reached the 20-run marks in that innings as they were bundled out for just 157 runs in 38 overs.

Also watch:  MS Dhoni Perfectly Guides Kuldeep To Dismiss Boult

Among the Indian bowlers, the left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav (4/39) bagged four wickets and the pacer Mohammed Shami (3/19) picked up three wickets. Also, Yuzvendra Chahal (2/43) and Kedar Jadhav (1/17) picked up two and one wickets respectively.

Also watch: Kuldeep Yadav Takes A Diving Catch

In reply, India was batting on 41/0 in 9 overs before the break. The Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan remained not out at the break on 11 and 29 runs respectively.

After the break, Rohit (11) was caught at the first slip without adding any more runs. It was only one over completed after that break when that game was interrupted due to sunlight was falling directly into Dhawan’s eye.

Also watch: Setting Sun Stopped Play In Napier, Twitterati Erupts

It took around 30 minutes to restart that game while India got a revised target of 156 runs in 49 overs. Opener Dhawan and the skipper Virat Kohli dominated over the Kiwi bowlers and made the chasing comfortable. Both had the 91-run partnership for the second wicket that set the game for the visitors.

The left-handed opening batsman Dhawan completed his half-century in 69 balls while Kohli was dismissed after scoring 45 runs off 59 balls. After Kohli’s dismissal, it took short time to secure the victory of the first ODI of the series. While Dhawan remained not out on 75 off 103 balls (6 fours), Ambati Rayudu was batting on 13 off 23 balls. India won the game by eight wickets with 85 balls remaining after they chased the revised target in 34.5 overs after losing only two wickets (156/2). Shami won the Player of the Match award.

Among the Kiwi bowlers, only Lockie Ferguson (1/41) and Doug Bracewell (1/23) picked up one wicket each.

New Zealand
New Zealand cricket team

Here are some Twitter reactions:

Tags first ODIIndia tour of New Zealand 2018/19Indian cricket teamKane Williamsonkuldeep yadavMohammed ShamiNew ZealandShikhar Dhawan

Related stories

David Miller
Article
By CricShots - Apr 24, 2024
IPL 2024: Match 40 (DC vs GT) – 3 Player Battles To Watch Out For
logo