Rain plays spoilsport as New Zealand clinch ODI series 1-0
Like the T20I series ended in India’s favour after rain played spoilsport, New Zealand benefitted from the ODI series as the weather conditions favored the hosts, who clinched the ODI series 1-0 in a similar fashion. While India looked to level the series after losing the first game, before the second game was called off, New Zealand’s weather conditions ruined all their plans.
This time again, New Zealand won the toss and put India to bat first. India’s start was sluggish, but openers Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill looked to provide their side with a crucial opening partnership. Adam Milne put an end to their run and dismissed Gill in the 9th over before returning back to take down Dhawan in the 13th over.
Shreyas Iyer continued his good form with the bat and got into the business quickly, but he could not find himself a partner at the other end. The Kiwi bowlers posted a hard time in front of their opposition as India’s middle-order batters struggled to put runs on the scoreboard. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant gave away his wicket cheaply, again, and even Suryakumar Yadav could not shine this time around.
Just when Shreyas Iyer neared his half-century, Lockie Ferguson struck and picked up his first and only wicket of the day, thereby sending the in-form Iyer back to the pavilion. It was then Washington Sundar who kept the game going and notched up a crucial half-century under pressure. He scored a composed 51(64), but with his wicket, Kiwi bowlers put an end to India’s innings as the visitors were dished out for 219 runs in 47.3 overs.
Milne and Daryl Mitchell led New Zealand’s bowling by scalping three wickets each. Tim Southee picked up two, whereas Ferguson and Mitchell Santner managed to pick one wicket each to take down India’s batting unit early. Indian bowlers had a big challenge as they entered the crease to defend the low target of 220 runs.
Rain holds back New Zealand from winning second match of the series
But the Kiwi batters were in the game with an aim. Openers Finn Allen and Devon Conway got their side to a great start and sailed through the powerplay, thereby scoring 59 runs. The Men in Blue did not take the pressure well, as the batters kept hitting the ball in the gap and got going quickly. It was late in the 17th over when Umran Malik got India the first breakthrough by dismissing Allen.
Skipper Kane Williamson entered at number three, but the rain started pouring down and the game had to be halted soon after. Only 18 overs of play were possible in the second innings as New Zealand stood at 104/1. For a result through the DLS method, a minimum of 20 overs needed to be completed, and the game was paused after the 18th over.
Falling just two overs short, there was no result possible and the third ODI was called off. But the Kiwis dominated the ODI series completely, from the very first game. A dominating seven-wicket win from the first game, which was possible because of the 221* run unbeaten partnership between Williamson and Tom Latham, helped New Zealand clinch the series 1-0.
