'ODIs aren’t too relevant this year' - Virat Kohli after series defeat against New Zealand
In the post-match presentation, Virat Kohli didn’t seem fazed by the fact India lost the ODI series with defeat in this match.
The Indian team suffered their second loss in the ongoing three-match ODI series against New Zealand, as they were defeated by the home side by 22 runs in Eden Park in Auckland. The Black Caps defended 273 runs with aplomb with debutant Kyle Jamieson starring with both the bat and the ball.
This was a good turnaround for the Kiwis, after being drubbed 5-0 in the T20I series which preceded the ODI series and which will be followed by two-match Test series between the two sides. India had won the toss and decided to chase. Half-centuries from Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor took New Zealand to a very good total, despite Yuzvendra Chahal picking three wickets and Shardul getting two scalps in a good bowling performance.
However, Hamish Bennett, Tim Southee, and Kyle Jamieson shined with the ball, picking two wickets each including cheap wickets of Virat Kohli (15), KL Rahul (5), Mayank Agarwal (3) and Shaw (24). Shreyas Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja made the fifties and Navdeep Saini contributed with 45 runs as India tried to make a fight of the chase from 153/7. Unfortunately, India fell short by 22 runs and lost the series after conceding a lead of 2-0.
‘We could consider changes in the final game’: Virat Kohli
In the post-match presentation, Virat Kohli didn’t seem fazed by the fact India lost the ODI series with defeat in this match. “ODIs aren’t too relevant this year, but the people who can play that way under pressure is a big revelation for us. We could consider changes in the final game since we have nothing to lose now. We’ll play expressive cricket and not worry too much about the result,” Kohli was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
The Indian skipper admitted that they let New Zealand getaway with 30-40 extra runs from 208/6. He then praised the Indian lower-order batting after India lost seven wickets for only 150-odd runs on the board. “Two good games, great for the fans. Impressed with how we finished. We let things slip away from 208-6 to 270-plus. We were in trouble with the bat, but Saini and Jadeja and Shreyas played really well,” said Virat Kohli.
The third and final ODI match will be played at Mount Maunganui on February 11.
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