India and New Zealand locked horns in the second match of the three-match ODI series on Saturday, January 21, at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. The venue hosted its first-ever international match. It was inaugurated in 2008, and hosted its maiden international match almost 15 years later it came into existence.
Talking about the match, India’s captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bowl first because the pitch did do a fair bit upfront due to the grass cover on it. Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami hit their straps from the get-go, slicing through the NZ top and middle order, reducing the visitors to 15/5 at one stage.
It was, however, not unplayable by any means, and the Kiwi batters were guilty of some loose shots as well. But credit to the Indian bowlers who all chipped in. India’s star allrounder Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur ensured that they kept on applying the pressure, while Kuldeep Yadav got one to his name as well. Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner were the only batters to get reasonable starts; but they just could not handle the pressure for long enough to get their side out of choppy waters. New Zealand, on the day, simply had no answers to some relentless bowling by the Men in Blue. New Zealand were bowled out for 108 in 34.3 overs.
India clinch the series with a match in hand
Two or three wickets really early in the India innings could have spiced things up, but that did not quite happen as openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a solid start. Rohit in particular looked in the mood as he stroked an eye-catching fifty to entertain the crowd, scoring 51 runs off 50 deliveries including 7 fours and 2 sixes. Shubman Gill was a bit restrained today as he batted through till the end with a lot of composure. He too did play some fab strokes, extending his glorious run of form with the bat.
New Zealand’s bowlers can’t really be blamed as they just didn’t have the runs to play with. Their only hope was to strike early with the new ball but that didn’t happen. India’s batters completed the formalities without much fuss and won the match by 8 wickets in 20.1 overs. The game was set up by the bowlers and New Zealand will rue their indiscipline with the bat. Now India are already in the box to seal the series.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Ab koi troll nahi karega
— Cricketbugs (@Cricketbugs0) January 21, 2023
Ghar ke Sher Bahir bhi Sher. Hope they clean sweep the series and white wash New Zealand with Surf Excel. Excellent series win. Junior and Senior combo doing work for team India and for individuals as well
— Sports.world (@moiz_sports) January 21, 2023
Run banao toh prob, na banao toh prob
Wicket lo toh prob na lo toh prob
Aakhir player kya kre
Ye Chu troller Chu panti hi krege, dhandha joh h 2 rs ka— NainaSingh 🇮🇳 (@NainaS771) January 21, 2023
#NZvsIND #INDvsNZ YEH GHANTE KA MATCH.KOYIBHI INTEREST NAHI HAI.. 🤦 LET'S
SHIFT IPL… 🏏— HARDCORE IPL FAN 🇮🇳💪😍🏏 (@InkolluPavantej) January 21, 2023
Dream for Dhobi 😭 pic.twitter.com/JlfpbFXItV
— 🐐 (@Kohli0RCBCup) January 21, 2023
Mann what a crowd itne toh logo ka t20s main ni atte 😂
— saban saini (@PrinceS08548214) January 21, 2023
Aaj mere ghar ke bahar badi Shanti hai, aaj kutte nai bhonk rahe hain…
— ANGRY FATHER (@AnshumanNayak2) January 21, 2023
Bhai jis team me dam ho,india ko india me koi bhi series hara ke dikha de,india is fire from 1 decade+ in home any series🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👍🏻🥳
— rocky (@Rishabh96914747) January 21, 2023
