Mount Maunganui (New Zealand): New Zealand were in a spot of bother having lost the wickets of Martin Guptill (15), Colin Munro (31) and skipper Kane Williamson (20) in their efforts to chase down a stiff victory target of 325 in the second ODI against India here, Saturday. After the end of 15 overs, the hosts were 88 for three. Pacers Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took a wicket apiece, while Munro was dismissed by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. The visitors had earlier scored 324 for four.
A brilliant opening stand between Rohit Sharma (87) and Shikhar Dhawan (66) and some lusty death overs hitting by Mahendra Singh Dhoni (48 n o) and Kedar Jadhav (22 n o) enabled India to post a 300-plus score. India are currently leading the five-game series 1-0.
Dhawan and Rohit put on 154 runs for the opening stand to put India in a strong position. Skipper Virat Kohli (43) and Ambati Rayudu (47) then consolidated the innings before Dhoni and Jadhav put on 53 runs in 26 balls to put India in a position of command. Trent Bould (2/61) and Lockie Ferguson (2/81) were the successful bowlers for the Kiwis.
