After shambolic performances in the first four ODIs, New Zealand had little chance they could lift themselves up for the final match. Throughout the series it was not India who were unbeatable rather flatness of the Black Caps was the reason they were easily rolled over by a new look Team India. The battering that was handed to them by Gambhir and co in the final match not only resulted in second successive white-wash but also showcased some serious problems in the mental aspect of their game. They showed some resistance in only one out of ten innings in the series. We know they have a knack of lifting themselves up in big tournaments but how they will be able to achieve this in not-so-distant World Cup looks as intricate as Australia winning the Ashes.
Vettori did not hesitate to opt for batting on a batting friendly pitch despite heavy cloud cover and a forecast of rain later in the evening. New Zealand strengthened their bowling by replacing Andy McKay with Grant Elliott while Zaheer was rested for Praveen Kumar to have a go. Kumar made the overcast conditions win over the docility of the pitch when he moved one away from Guptill who edged behind to halt New Zealand before they could even start. First over was a maiden as if it were a test match but second over made us wonder was it a T20 international? McCullum blasted Nehra for three fours in the second over to collect thirteen runs. After a quiet over again from Kumar, McCullum tried another care-free shot and missed the ball to be out LBW. New Zealand needed to play ODI cricket not test or T20 for sure.
Taylor and How needed to put the innings on track. They had to play safe as well as keep the score moving. It was asking too much from these two out-of-form players. Taylor clearly was caught between two minds when he tried to pull a surprise short one from Nehra hence he gloved it to the keeper. Styris walked out to rescue his team. He could not cash in on a dropped chance and followed his batting partner How who was bowled by Yuvraj a short while ago to the pavilion. Reeling at 76 for six after twenty overs New Zealand needed some miraculous efforts from captain Vettori and in form Franklin. But wickets continued to tumble and New Zealand were packed for their lowest ever total against India. The job started by pacers was finished by spinners to bundle New Zealand out for a paltry 103 in just 27 overs. A capitulation, an ignominy on a relatively flat deck indeed!
McCullum brothers combined to draw first blood straight away in the very first over when India came to bat. Prolific Gambhir had to depart soon followed by the other pain-in-the-neck for New Zealand Virat Kohli two overs later. The game is indeed a great leveler but this law applied only hitherto as it did not turn the Black Cap’s fortunes from there on. Parthiv Patel and Yuvraj Singh finished the game in the 22nd over by scripting a forceful 97 run partnership. Both remained not out with Patel on 56 off 70 balls and Yuvraj on 42 off 46 balls with six fours and two sixes. For his all-round performance Yuvraj was named the Man of the Match. Gautam Gambhir captaining for the first time was the Man of the Series.
New Zealand head home after a series which had started brightly for them with two drawn tests but ended miserably. They will, next, face Pakistan at home which will be their last chance to put their acts together prior to the World Cup. While India are in perfect shape to go into the Mega Event as hot favorites. Good thing for India was that they did not get complacent after winning their matches. Although cricket is a funny game but there is no alternative to hard work and form; even the luck favors the brave. Most of the time!
Vettori did not hesitate to opt for batting on a batting friendly pitch despite heavy cloud cover and a forecast of rain later in the evening. New Zealand strengthened their bowling by replacing Andy McKay with Grant Elliott while Zaheer was rested for Praveen Kumar to have a go. Kumar made the overcast conditions win over the docility of the pitch when he moved one away from Guptill who edged behind to halt New Zealand before they could even start. First over was a maiden as if it were a test match but second over made us wonder was it a T20 international? McCullum blasted Nehra for three fours in the second over to collect thirteen runs. After a quiet over again from Kumar, McCullum tried another care-free shot and missed the ball to be out LBW. New Zealand needed to play ODI cricket not test or T20 for sure.
Taylor and How needed to put the innings on track. They had to play safe as well as keep the score moving. It was asking too much from these two out-of-form players. Taylor clearly was caught between two minds when he tried to pull a surprise short one from Nehra hence he gloved it to the keeper. Styris walked out to rescue his team. He could not cash in on a dropped chance and followed his batting partner How who was bowled by Yuvraj a short while ago to the pavilion. Reeling at 76 for six after twenty overs New Zealand needed some miraculous efforts from captain Vettori and in form Franklin. But wickets continued to tumble and New Zealand were packed for their lowest ever total against India. The job started by pacers was finished by spinners to bundle New Zealand out for a paltry 103 in just 27 overs. A capitulation, an ignominy on a relatively flat deck indeed!
McCullum brothers combined to draw first blood straight away in the very first over when India came to bat. Prolific Gambhir had to depart soon followed by the other pain-in-the-neck for New Zealand Virat Kohli two overs later. The game is indeed a great leveler but this law applied only hitherto as it did not turn the Black Cap’s fortunes from there on. Parthiv Patel and Yuvraj Singh finished the game in the 22nd over by scripting a forceful 97 run partnership. Both remained not out with Patel on 56 off 70 balls and Yuvraj on 42 off 46 balls with six fours and two sixes. For his all-round performance Yuvraj was named the Man of the Match. Gautam Gambhir captaining for the first time was the Man of the Series.
New Zealand head home after a series which had started brightly for them with two drawn tests but ended miserably. They will, next, face Pakistan at home which will be their last chance to put their acts together prior to the World Cup. While India are in perfect shape to go into the Mega Event as hot favorites. Good thing for India was that they did not get complacent after winning their matches. Although cricket is a funny game but there is no alternative to hard work and form; even the luck favors the brave. Most of the time!
Published in sportpulse.net
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