Monday, January 20, 2014

India Lose Series Opener!

Before the start of Kiwi series. New Zealand, a confident side, They had won the test series and the T-20 against West Indies and had levelled the odi series against them. India had lost the ODI series and test series against the South Africans. Corey Anderson had scored the fastest odi century, Luke Ronchi, Ryder and Ross Tayler were in great form.

For India, The openers were not doing what was expected from them and they were struggling for runs. Dhawan/Rohit Sharma were not good as they  use to bat on Indian pitches. Much was depend on Virat Kohli and the Captain Msd to take the Indian innings forward.

The same scenario happened yesterday, India has a good batting side, every one says. Yes, we do, But how well we have been doing outside India recently? Having won the toss and decided to field at Napier, Bhuvi bowled so well, 10 overs 38/1.

Shami was moving the ball and picked up 4/55. Death bowling once again proved a problem for India. Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi teared apart the Indian bowling in the end overs. Ashwin went wicketless and Jadeja managed to pick one at an economy over 6 runs. Ishant Sharma gave away 72 runs for the 9 overs he bowled.

Virat Kohli had scored 18 centuries over all and 12 had come during the chase and India won 11 out of 12 times when ever he scored a century during the chase. His 18th odi hundred was out from India's winning ways. India had lost the match despite Virat's majestic 123 of 111 balls. Virat and Dhoni looked set, and India was cursing towards the victory, a short ball from McClenaghan to Dhoni and the keeper had to dive to make his ground and catch taken, Dhoni out for 40. Kiwis needed exactly the wicket of either MSD or Virat Kohli and soon McClenaghan dismissed kohli, full toss outside off, straight forward catch to Ryder. Ryder had earlier dropped Kohli on 94. Back to back wickets for McClenaghan and NZ were right back into the game.

Earlier, Rohit Sharma had played 23 balls for the 3 runs he scored and Dhawan looked set before he was dismissed for 32. Raina pulled one and caught at deep fine leg. Rahane, played so well in South Africa out for 7. The middle order is depend on Dhoni and the top order would depend on Kohli. Even if they are getting runs, India needs one or two batsmen to fire. Rahanae is certainly the guy India would look for and Raina had been given lot of chances and seen as the future no.4 for the 2015 world cup.