NZ seal series despite India’s fightback
The hosts registered yet another spectacular win against India to make it two-in-two. India lost their third consecutive One Day International against New Zealand and in the process also conceded the series.
A toss win for India and Virat Kohli has opted to bowl first at @edenparknz. Santner out with a gastro bug picked up late this morning. Mark Chapman in. Kyle Jamieson to debut in his hometown. #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/SXNSEkh4ia
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 8, 2020
Here are some of the talking points of the second ODI:
Martin Guptill provides a good start
After failing to convert starts into anything substantial so far, Martin Guptill finally stood tall at the top. Scoring a run-a-ball 79, the opener set the platform for the Kiwis.
He put up a 93-run partnership for the first wicket alongside Henry Nicholls who got out for 41.
36th ODI fifty for Martin Guptill 👏
— ICC (@ICC) February 8, 2020
It's also his first half-century in last 11 innings! He also shared a 93-run opening stand with Henry Nicholls.#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/KuHkq7ndDV
NZ collapse after a spectacular start
The hosts were cruising at 142/1 but the dismissals of Tom Blundell and Guptill in quick succession triggered a collapse.
Some untimely run-outs and the Indian bowlers cashing on the momentum meant that the Kiwis were reduced to 197/8.
After 40 overs, New Zealand are 195/7. How much will they go on to score from here?#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/9RMK6z982p
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 8, 2020
From 142/1 to 187/7!
— ICC (@ICC) February 8, 2020
New Zealand have collapsed dramatically in Auckland 😮 pic.twitter.com/9OLNbJgZ47
Ross Taylor to the rescue
With New Zealand under pressure at 197/8, Ross Taylor came to the rescue with a fantastic knock of 73. He stitched his innings beautifully batting with debutant Jamieson as they put up an unbeaten partnership of 76 runs from just 51 balls for the ninth wicket.
Overs 1-10: 52/0
— ICC (@ICC) February 8, 2020
Overs 11-20: 108/1
Overs 21-30: 159/3
Overs 31-40: 195/7
Overs 41-50: 273/8
Ross Taylor's 73* after Guptill's 79 has helped 🇳🇿 to a fighting total despite Indian bowling brilliance in the middle overs.#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/HJW3KSRkPd
Indian top order falls
The young duo of Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal couldn't do anything special as they were dismissed early into their innings. Skipper Virat Kohli too couldn't extend his stay at the crease as India were in a spot of bother with the top 3 back to the pavilion within the first ten overs.
India 3 down now and it is Kohli! Southee angles back in to have him bowled. Jamieson and Bennett also with wickets so far. India 57/3 as Rahul joins Iyer 12*. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/6E9wqCe2kt #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/V6RvFEJmrw
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 8, 2020
Shreyas Iyer scores a half-century
The lanky No.4 batsman carried his form from the century at Hamilton even though wickets kept tumbling from the other end. He got out playing a reckless shot just after completing his fifty.
Shreyas Iyer departs after a well made half-century.
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 8, 2020
Live - https://t.co/8PgGQpxQ35 #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/v3fIugVyLV
Late charge by Jadeja and Saini
With the visitors reduced to 153/7, the target seemed far-fetched. Both Ravindra Jadeja (55) and Navdeep Saini (45) put up a 76-run stand for the ninth wicket. Saini produced his best List ‘A’ score and gave India hope. But once he got out, the onus to score quick runs fell on Jadeja’s shoulders. He was the last man to be dismissed as India went down fighting by 22 runs.
A crucial FIFTY by @imjadeja.
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 8, 2020
Will he convert it into a match-winning knock?#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/iEO0Gjzm6z
What a knock, Saini 👏👏#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/vLMfSit53t
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 8, 2020
With the series sealed by the home side, they will be looking to complete a whitewash after going down 5-0 in the T20Is.