Virat Kohli-led team suffered back-to-back series whitewash against New Zealand in ODIs and Tests respectively. Kane Williamson-led team registered a seven-wicket victory over the number one-ranked Test side and wrapped up the second Test match inside three days at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
In what was an easy run-chase of 132, Tom Latham scored 52 runs on the back of 10 fours while Tom Blundell made 55 runs with the help of eight fours and a six.
India managed to pick three wickets but ended up losing the match as the hosts inflicted a 2-0 Test whitewash on India.
Virat Kohli knows how to give it back:
Virat Kohli called India’s humiliating defeat to New Zealand as ‘disappointing’ while also adding that India lost because of a sub-standard execution of plans during the gameplay.
Despite losing two games on the trot, India dominates the Test charts with 360 points while New Zealand are sitting at the third place with 180 points.
Batsmen didn’t do enough for the bowlers to try and attack: Virat Kohli
Indian captain admitted that India didn’t bowl in the right areas and the opposition team mounted pressure on the Indians. Indian batsmen lacked enough teeth to score runs and that made the work difficult for the bowlers.
“It was a matter of not having enough intent in the first game, and not closing out here. We didn’t bowl in the right areas for long enough. They created a lot of pressure. It was a combination of us not executing well enough and New Zealand sticking to their plans. The batsmen didn’t do enough for the bowlers to try and attack,” Indian captain Virat Kohli said at the post-match presentation.
Kohli heaped praise on the bowlers but didn’t hesitate to advise his team to sort out the woes. The captain also added that it is important to pick up the lessons on the go.
“The bowling was good, I thought even in Wellington we bowled well. Sometimes if you bowl well and things don’t happen, you have to take it in your stride. “Disappointing, have to go back to the drawing board and correct things going forward. We accept it upfront and if we have to win away from home, we have to do that. No excuses, just learning moving forward. In Tests, we weren’t able to play the cricket we wanted to,” Kohli said.
Now, India’s next assignment will be against South Africa in a three-match One-day International series, starting on March 12 in Dharamsala.