Twitter Reactions: Rayudu, Pandya and bowlers guide India to a 4-1 victory

At one point in time, the visitors were in dire straits.

By Sabyasachi Chowdhury

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Indian team
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Indian team. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

The fifth and final ODI at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington had no significance as the visitors had already won the series against New Zealand after getting home in the first three encounters. In the end, the visiting team won the last game by 35 runs and subsequently, it returned with a 4-1 scoreline in the series. The Black Caps dominated in some stages, but the Men in Blue managed to claw back.

Rayudu dictates terms

After winning the toss and electing to bat, India got off to a horrendous start as they were reduced to 18 for four in the 10th over. Matt Henry got rid of the two openers- Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, and Shubman Gill even as Trent Boult accounted for Shikhar Dhawan’s wicket. However, Ambati Rayudu and Vijay Shankar cobbled together a stand of 98 runs to bring the visitors back into the contest.

Shankar’s run-out ended the partnership in the 32nd over. He scored 45 from 64 balls. Rayudu scored his half-century in 86 and eventually scored 90 runs from 113 balls with eight fours and four sixes. Henry got his prized scalp. Kedar Jadhav also notched 34 runs. Hardik Pandya gave the finishing kick to the innings with a breezy 45 runs from 22 deliveries as India were able to score 252 in their 50 overs.

Kiwis crumble  

New Zealand didn’t get off to the best of starts as Mohammed Shami got the wickets of both Colin Munro, who promised with 24 from 19, and Henry Nicholls. Hardik Pandya trapped Ross Taylor plumb in front to inflict the body blow. Thereafter, Kane Williamson and Tom Latham steadied the ship and put on 67 for the fourth wicket. Kedar Jadhav removed the opposition captain after the batter scored 39.

A few overs later, Latham fell prey to leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal after scoring 37 from 49 balls. James Neesham looked ominous with the bat as he raced away to 44 runs from 32 deliveries with four boundaries and a couple of sixes, but was ran out by MS Dhoni. The likes of Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Todd Astle, and Henry tried their hearts out, but India were determined to win.

Here is how Twitter reacted

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