New Zealand vs India 2020: Navdeep Saini’s Batting Show Animates Virat Kohli
Feb 8, 2020 at 5:08 PM
India has lost the second ODI against New Zealand in Auckland by 22 runs. With the defeat in the second game, Virat Kohli’s men have also lost the three-match ODI series with 2-0. But there are some positives to take from the penultimate game. Interestingly, India’s lower-order batsmen have kept India’s hopes alive, setting small partnerships. Skipper Virat Kohli also believes that such contributions boosts the overall performance of a team.
As the top-order and middle-order derailed, the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja played a crucial role as the lower-order batsman.
Pacer Shardul Thakur contributed 18 runs while Navdeep Saini’s knock was the most crucial one. Saini stitched up 76 runs partnership with Jadeja before the pacer lost his wicket. In his 45-run knock, Saini struck five fours and two maximums.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has set up the target of 274 runs. Shreyas Iyer was the one in the middle order to score a fifty. KL Rahul and Kedar Jadhav couldn’t do much in the game.
Virat Kohli surprised with lower-order batting effort:
Kohli was animated to see Saini and Jadeja building the game for the team. Post-game, he praised their game and said that efforts from lower-order batsman inspire others to play freely.
“We were in trouble with the bat, but Saini and Jadeja played really well, as did Shreyas. We didn’t know how good Saini could be with the bat, so if the lower order could be that good, then it inspires the middle order and the top order to step it up too.”
“Changes expected in the third ODI’: Virat Kohli
Further adding, Virat Kohli hinted that there might be changes in the last game as there is nothing to lose now.
“We could consider changes in the final game since we have nothing to lose now. We’ll play expressive cricket and not worry too much about the result,” Virat Kohli said.
Meanwhile, India and New Zealand will head to play the third and final ODI match at the Bay Oval on 12th February.