India’s batting order could not get going as they were skittled out for 179 in their first warm-up match against New Zealand at Kennington Oval. Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first in the challenging conditions. It was a brave call from Kohli as there was help for the bowlers but Kohli wanted his batters to go through the test.
Trent Boult was the chief destroyer of the Indian team as the pacer scalped four wickets and conceded 33 runs. Boult got the ball to move both ways at the good speed to breathe down the neck of the Indian batters. India decided to play with 13 players as Vijay Shankar and Kedar Jadhav were given rest due to their respective injuries.
India didn’t get off to an ideal start as Rohit Sharma was plumbed in front by Trent Boult. The southpaw seamer got the ball to move back in and the Indian vice-captain could not make the connection with the bat. He was adjudged out by the umpire but he decided to go for the review but the call returned as umpire’s call.
Shikhar Dhawan soon followed his opening partner as the southpaw batsman was dismissed by Trent Boult. KL Rahul had a perfect chance to cement his place in the team. However, the right-hander could not grab it as he chopped the ball back on to the stumps.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli was looking good but the talisman batsman was bamboozled by a slower delivery from Colin de Grandhomme. Hardik Pandya played some delightful shots in his innings and looked confident while he was at the crease. Pandya received support from former Indian skipper MS Dhoni who scored 17 runs from 42 balls.
Both the batters added 38 runs for the fifth wicket partnership as Hardik Pandya scored 30 runs from 37 balls with the help of six fours. Dinesh Karthik also had a chance to cement his place but the right-hander flicked an innocuous ball straight to deep fine-leg.
Ravindra Jadeja showed good form as he timed the ball with perfection. The southpaw batsman scored his runs at more than run-a-ball. The left-hander also completed his fifty off 47 balls. James Neesham scalped three wickets as he bowled with a seam-up position whereas Tim Southee snared one wicket.
Here is how Twitter reacted to India’s poor show with the bat:
The number of times Rohit and Shikhar have fallen cheaply to left-arm seam is getting worrisome. #IndvNZ
— Nitin Naik (@toi_nitinnayak) May 25, 2019
The last time we saw a batting collapse against New Zealand during World Cup, the team went on to win the tournament. #CWC19
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) May 25, 2019
In the warm up match, Indian batsmen feeling the heat…
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 25, 2019
Good effort from NZ there – have to give them some confidence to be able to bowl that well in their first match. Have to chase this down to keep that confidence though #INDvNZ
— Guy Heveldt (@GuyHeveldt) May 25, 2019
Need Ravi Shastri to come out to bat now just like Collingwood fielded for England.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) May 25, 2019
I know it is only a warm-up game but New Zealand are enjoying it more.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 25, 2019
Are you kidding me with that shot?! 81-6. #CWC19 #IndvNz
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) May 25, 2019
Damn the @BLACKCAPS look good in black. #CWC2019
— Eric Young (@RealEricYoung) May 25, 2019
Jadeja doing himself a massive favour for the June 5 game vs South Africa. #CWC19 #INDvNZ
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) May 25, 2019
India tottering at 81 for six as Dinesh Karthik is out to a horrendous shot.
— N Jagannath Das_TT (@dassport_TT) May 25, 2019