IND vs NZ: 1st ODI Review – Shubman Gill’s double ton overpowers Bracewell’s onslaught
India and New Zealand squared off in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday, January 18. An amazing run-fest was seen during both innings as India and New Zealand put up a brilliant show on display. But in the end, the Men in Blue managed to clinch a thrilling 13-run victory.
Gill notches up a record score
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first. India’s start to the innings was sluggish, but Shubman Gill’s heroics led the side to a big total. The young batter scored a major chunk of India’s total runs and notched up a brilliant double-century, becoming just the fifth Indian to do so. Before Gill, only Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit, and Ishan Kishan had achieved the milestone.
Opening the batting for India, he batted till the final over of the first innings before being dismissed. While other batters failed to put up an impressive knock, Gill’s 149-ball 208-run knock kept India going till the end. While no other batter could even score a half-century, Gill’s knock guided India to a huge 349/8 as India managed to post a defendable total against the visitors.
Bracewell resurrects New Zealand’s chase
New Zealand’s start to the chase was troublesome. After losing the in-form Devon Conway early in the powerplay, the visitors lost three wickets before the end of the second powerplay, courtesy of Kuldeep Yadav and Shardul Thakur. New Zealand were put in trouble again when Tom Latham and Glenn Philips were dismissed, but Michael Bracewell’s century powered their innings thereon.
The spin-bowling all-rounder partnered with Mitchell Santner for the seventh wicket and the duo stitched up a crucial 162-run stand, which resurrected New Zealand’s innings. Just when the visitors had lost hope, the two all-rounders helped them bounce back into the game, making the contest even more interesting.
Local hero Mohammed Siraj struck twice in the 46th over, but nothing could stop Bracewell from going big. Siraj managed to break the momentum, but Bracewell kept hitting the big shots. It came down to the final over when the visitors needed 20 runs to win. Though Shardul Thakur conceded a six off the first ball, he dismissed Bracewell later as India won the thriller by 13 runs.
Top Performers from the match:
Shubman Gill:
Shubman Gill scored a major chunk of India’s total with his 149-ball 208. When no other batter could even manage to score a half-century, Gill’s prowess led India to a huge total. The youngster broke multiple records as he also became the fastest Indian to reach 1000 ODI runs.
Michael Bracewell:
The 31-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder scored his second ODI century and got to the three-figure mark in just 57 deliveries. Bracewell got the visitors very close with his epic knock. He formed a record-breaking 162-run partnership with Mitchell Santner for the 7th wicket. His knock included 12 fours and 10 sixes.
What’s next for both teams?
India and New Zealand will face each other next in the second ODI of the series. It will be played at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Saturday, January 21, 2023.
