Following the eight-wicket loss against hosts Kiwis in the fourth One-day International (ODI) of India vs New Zealand 2019 five-match series on Thursday (January 31), the Men in Blue pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar revealed it was not an easiest of the surfaces to bat on. Trent Boult’s five-for has helped his side to strangulate the Men in Blue at 92 in 30.5 overs.
“Not really. We can’t say that in just one match. It was a tough wicket to bat on,” Bhuvneshwar told in a post-match press conference at Seddon Park.
In response, the Black Caps chased down the target in 14.4 overs for the loss of two wickets. Both Martin Guptill and Kiwis skipper Kane Williamson were dismissed by Bhuvneshwar, who settled with his figures of two for 25 in five overs.
The Uttar Pradesh-based swing bowler Bhuvneshwar has also backed the middle-order batters who managed to score just one run. He added it is a procedure to learn things for a team in a nutshell.
So it wasn’t a lost opportunity for the middle-order batsmen. I would say that it is a learning for all of us, not just for the batsmen,” Bhuvneshwar added.
It’s a reality check: Bhuvneshwar
Earlier, interim skipper Rohit Sharma revealed during a post-match presentation that they would like to go back and figure out where they have gone wrong. On the similar lines, Bhuvneshwar maintained it’s the right situation to consider before going into the fifth and final ODI in Wellington.
“These kinds of matches just happen once in a while but happen. We have played some good cricket but these matches come after a few matches. But it is kind of a good match for us because it is a reality check of what we can do in the next matches,” Bhuvneshwar asserted.
The prominent Team India bowler Bhuvneshwar reiterated it’s about the learning curve and he’s hopeful to make a strong comeback before the kick off of the three-match Twenty20 series against the Black Caps.
“And what are the things we can take away from these matches and improve in games to follow?” Bhuvneshwar added.
Kiwis outplayed India: Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar summed up the debate by saying they’ve played in Australia after England and South Africa respectively. He admitted the fact that Kiwis have outclassed India in the penultimate ODI courtesy Boult’s brilliance in swinging conditions.
“We have played in England, South Africa and Australia. But instead of saying we played well I would say they played really well. They bowled some amazing balls but overall they have outplayed us.” Bhuvneshwar signed off.
As India has already bagged the series with the scoreline reading 3-1, the fifth ODI will begin at 7:30 AM IST on February 3 in Wellington.