New Zealand vs India, 1st ODI – Who Said What

Team India’s tour of New Zealand got underway at the McLean Park in Napier – Kane Williamson won the toss and decided to bat first. The pitch was expected to be a feather bed and one where a total of 300 wouldn’t be safe. The Kiwis wanted to post a big total and put the Indians under pressure. But the way India’s new ball bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami bowled, it changed the complexion of the game.

Shami, in particular, found his rhythm really early and was at his lethal best. Though there was no lateral swing on offer in the air, he made the ball seam. It was his seam position that helped the right-arm pacer trouble both the openers. He struck first dismissing Martin Guptill as he chopped one back to his stumps, in the next over he booked a return for Colin Munro. Both the openers departed for single-digit scores.

Thereafter skipper Williamson and Ross Taylor stitched together a sort of a partnership. But on the team score of 52, Yuzvendra Chahal broke through and Taylor handed him a return catch. Thereafter it was the spin-twin in operation and they never let a single Kiwi batsman settle down.

Chahal also accounted for Latham, while Kuldeep Yadav got rid of Williamson for 64. The chinaman then ran through the rest of the batting order and finished with a four-wicket haul. Shami got three, Chahal had two while Kedar Jadhav also managed a success.

The target for Team India was 158 and was never going to challenge them. Though Rohit Sharma got out cheap for 11, his partner Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli made sure it was an easy win. Dhawan got to his fifty and remained unbeaten on 75 while Kohli fell for 45. Ambati Rayudu also had a contribution of 13 runs as the team got home with 8 wickets and over 15 overs to spare.

Also read- NZ-W vs IND-W 2019, 1st ODI: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Indian skipper Virat Kohli said:

“It was one of our most balanced performances. With the ball, couldn’t have asked for anything better. When I lost the toss, I thought a score of about 300-plus but the bowlers were brilliant. To get them out for 150-odd on this pitch was brilliant.

Belief in his (Mohammed Shami) abilities is key and as he said, the fast bowling unit is extremely confident of knocking any team out. The lines and lengths bowled by the spinners were brilliant because the pitch only slowed down in the second half and they were really good.

Really important innings for Shikhar and we spoke during the sun break that he needed to finish the game to get some momentum. He is a dangerous player when in rhythm. (On a sunstrike break) Never in my life, this rule wasn’t there in 2014 and I actually got out in a similar situation.”

Mohammed Shami, Man of the Match said:

“Till now, whatever we have achieved has been a team effort. We enjoy each other’s success and are able to execute our plans. If we have a plan A that doesn’t work, there’s always a Plan B. As a bowling unit, we decide things together. Injuries changed my outlook. I made a comeback after a long time and spent a good time at our rehab centre which is world class.

The management and support staff have been really cooperative, as has been my captain who has always encouraged me. Pitches were similar to Australia but the grounds there were bigger and climate was warmer, here the venues are smaller with pleasant temperatures. Important to adapt and we’re enjoying it.”

The losing captain Kane Williamson said:

“Certainly wasn’t our best effort. India, we expected them to be good and they really were on top of the game. The surface wasn’t as traditional as we thought it to be. India bowled well, particularly the lengths hit by their slower bowlers were really good. Getting to just 150ish on a pitch where 250-plus was needed, doesn’t help.

I think we didn’t adjust well enough to the surface, don’t think it was the lack of match practice that cost us. Their whole bowling unit contributed well and they need credit for that. We also did well with the ball, showed enough intent and will hope to take those things forward.”

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