The Indian cricket team had another impressive win as they secured their 7th consecutive ODI series victory over New Zealand with an 8-wicket victory in the 2nd ODI.
After a close match in Hyderabad that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Indians dominated in Raipur with a clinical performance, leaving the Kiwis in the dust and the series now standing at 2-0 in their favor, and one match still to play.
The match began with the Indian quick bowlers setting the tone for the game with stifling Test-match style bowling from Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, who reduced the Kiwis to a measly 9 for 3 in the early overs of the match.
Shami was the first to strike, with a perfect outswinger that bowled Finn Allen for a duck in the first over.
Siraj’s wobbling seam tied up the top order, like a boa constrictor wrapping around its prey.
Siraj had Henry Nicholls edging one to first slip in the sixth over.
Next, Shami grabbed a sharp return catch with his left hand off Daryl Mitchell to finish his first spell with 4-1-5-2.
Hardik Pandya also chipped in with three maiden overs and 2 wickets for 16 runs in 6 overs, as New Zealand crumbled to 15 for 5 in the first 10.3 overs.
The Kiwi top order batsmen were unable to handle the Indian bowlers’ swing and seam, which was delivered with great accuracy and made it difficult for the New Zealanders to score runs.
Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, and Mitchell Santner managed to push the score past 100, but it was nowhere near enough to challenge the Indian team that had been scoring runs like they were going out of fashion.
The Indian bowlers kept the pressure on the visitors and did not give them any breathing space, making it difficult for the Kiwi batsmen to settle in and play their natural game.
In the chase, Indian Captain Rohit Sharma led the charge with a commanding 51 off 50, striking 7 fours and 2 sixes, which set the tone for the Indian innings.
He played with great authority and looked in complete control of his game, taking the pressure off his teammates and making it easier for them to play their natural game.
Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan also played their part in the chase, with Gill waiting for the loose balls to pick boundaries.
Kishan was more aggressive and smashed the ball with brute force, hitting three fours in the space of 11 balls.
Both of them played with great maturity and helped India reach the target in just 20.1 overs.
It was India’s 7th consecutive bilateral ODI series win at home and they looked in good form for the final match of the series.
The Indian team was determined to win the series and their focus and determination paid off.
The Kiwi team will have to come up with a better performance in the final match of the series if they want to avoid a whitewash.
India 111 for 2 (Rohit 51, Gill 40*) beat New Zealand 108 (Phillips 36, Shami 3-18, Washington 2-7, Hardik 2-16) by eight wickets
