Dharamsala: It was another flawless effort from ‘Chase Master’ Virat Kohli (85 n o, 81b, 9×4, 1×6) as he held centrestage with a delightful knock after a collective bowling effort as India cruised to an easy six-wicket victory over New Zealand taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series here, Sunday. It was India’s 900th ODI match.
After bowling out New Zealand for 190 in 43.5 overs, India reached the target in a mere 33.1 overs in a match that turned out to be thoroughly one-sided. Debutant all-rounder Hardik Pandya (3-31) stole the limelight alongside Umesh Yadav (2-31), Kedar Jadhav (2-6) and Amit Mishra (3-49) in the bowling department.
It was rearguard action from New Zealand that saw them reach 190 after being down at 106 for eight. If not for Tom Latham (79 n o, 98b, 7×4, 1×6) and Tim Southee (55, 45b, 6×4, 3×6), New Zealand would have never imagined to reach near the 200-run mark.
But India hardly had any problems in overwhelming the target with Kohli again showing his supreme command in the 50-over format. India got off to a brisk start in their pursuit for 191-run target with Rohit Sharma (14, 26b, 1×4, 1×6) and Ajinkya Rahane (33, 34b, 4×4, 2×6) adding 49 runs for the opening stand.
But Doug Bracewell (1-44) put an end to the partnership when he removed Rohit. After the dismissal of Rahane off James Nisham (1-40), Kohli and Manish Pandey (17, 22b, 1×4) then added 40 runs for the third wicket before the latter gave a simple catch to Kane Williamson inside the circle off leg-spinner Ish Sodhi (1-34).
Kohli carried on from where he left in the Test series and hit Bracewell straight down the ground before unleashing a lethal drive to the cover boundary as India reached 118 for three in 21 overs.
As indicated on the eve of the match, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (21, 24b, 1×4, 1×6) promoted himself to the No.5 position and together with Kohli shared 60 runs for the fourth wicket to take India closer to the target before the skipper ran himself out. However, Kohli, along with Kedar Jadhav (10 n o, 12b, 2×4) completed the chase and finished off the game with a maximum.
MSD praises fast bowlers
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni heaped praise on his bowlers for their superb show Sunday but also said that he was surprised at the pitch helping the pacers in his side’s emphatic six-wicket win over New Zealand here.
“Fantastic performance from the fast bowlers. Hardik (Pandya) exploited the good length, a short of a good length. Umesh is somebody who has been quite quick consistently, he has gone from fit to one of the fittest,” Dhoni said after the match.
“Hardik is deceptive, you think he’d bowl 132, but he crosses 135 consistently. Both Mishra and Axar bowled well. They did go for some runs though,” he added. Dhoni felt that the early New Zealand wickets taken by his bowlers settled the issue in his side’s favour after he opted to insert the visitors. “At times, the toss can be very crucial in this series.”
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson rued that his side was done in by some early dismissals while also conceding that the Indians bowled well. “We had to weather the storm a little bit, the first 10 overs they (India) bowled really well and some soft dismissals. Disappointing with the bat. A little up and down with sideways movement (regarding the pitch). We lost too many wickets too early,” he said.
Press Trust of India
