New Zealand levelled the five-match ODI series after defeating India by 6 runs in the second match. The rollercoaster of a match kept the fans at the edge of their seat.
So what was the reason for India’s agonising defeat? Indian captain MS Dhoni believes, during the second innings the due factor played a vital role, ” the dew made it quite difficult to bat, the ball was not coming nicely to the bat.”
Chasing 243, India were in deep trouble after being reduced to 183 for 8. But Hardik Pandya and Umesh Yadav brought India close to victory with a 49 run partnership. However, Pandya fell in the 49th over and New Zealand finally sealed the victory after Tim Southee clean bowled Jasprit Bumrah in the final over. Trent Boult starred with the ball as he conceded only 25 runs in his ten overs and took two wickets. Kane Williamson was adjudged the Man of the Match for his knock of 118 runs.
Here are the reactions of the players:
Kane Williamson: “Obviously nice to talk about something else for a change. The wicket wasn’t easy to increase the scoring rate. We were able to pick up wickets, some of which were quite fortunate. Boult led from the front. I think the bowling was huge for us. Probably we were below par but knew that on this surface we had enough to put on a squeeze. Wasn’t easy with the dew, but the left-arm spinners did a good job. Wasn’t much turn but they were great for us. Allowed the seamers to be the attacking option. Credit to India as well: they were 6-7 down. At times there was frustration: it was a good surface but it was tough to increase the scoring. I just had a bit of cramp, my arms are fine now.”
Dhoni: “It’s important when you’re playing at home [for the crowd to be behind you]. This was one game when we kept losing wickets. That was something that hurt us. It wasn’t the run rate which pushed us to play big shots. It’s a day when any of the batsmen could go on and say that we could have seen it through. Felt the NZ bowlers bowled well. Weren’t able to keep wickets in hand despite the slow wicket. Don’t think there was a lot of dew. Still wasn’t coming onto the bat. In the coming games, I’ll be losing a toss somewhere and then we’ll have to bowl well. It was important to get the reverse swing going. Bowled well in the last 20-25 overs to restrict them to 240.”
Trent Boult: “I think not just myself, a great effort by the bowling unit to restrict a good Indian side under the target, very satisfying, look forward to Mohali now. It’s a good sign to see the bowling side do well. Pretty happy we did that. Obviously to go for as least as possible, but try and remain aggressive; obviously taking wickets was going to be an advantage [on his last over plans]. There was a lot of moisture here. The wicket was holding up a touch, credit to smart bowling, mixed up the length and mixed up the pace as well.”