After losing the T20I series 5-0, New Zealand bounced back strongly thrashing India in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday and clinched the three-match series.
India failed to chase down the set target of 274 bundling out on 251 in 48.3 overs. Indian top-order succumbed in front of the Kiwi bowlers. However, the lower order did show some fight and took the game in a dignified position.
The Top five batsmen added 98 runs while the bottom five scored 128 runs. Shreyas Iyer, who smashed sixth 50 of his ODI career perished soon after, playing a rash shot.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was the last wicket to fall for the visitors. He slammed 55 off 74 and played a crucial role in building partnerships with the lower-order batsmen. The Virat Kohli-led side lost the game by 22 runs.
Debutant Kyle Jamieson shone in his very first outing in ODIs as the right-arm pacer took two wickets for 42 in his ten overs. He was rewarded with the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his all-round efforts.
Opening batter Martin Guptill took the Kiwis to a flyer along with his partner-in-crime, Henry Nicholls. The duo added 93 runs in 17 overs before Nicholls (41) was adjudged leg before.
However, after challenging the decision, the Kiwis lost the review. The Indian skipper had a heated argument with umpire Bruce Oxenford after Nicholls exceeded the 15-second window for DRS request.
Guptill, on the other hand, continued adding runs in the team’s total. Indian fielders, who looked average in the first ODI, changed the game on its head in Auckland. Guptill was their first victim as Shardul Thakur produced a run-out out of nowhere and brought India back in the game. The right-handed batsman scored 79 runs.
Guptill’s wicket opened the floodgates, as the hosts lost their next six wickets for 40 runs.
The centurion from the series opener, Ross Taylor, added a priceless stand of 76 runs for the ninth wicket, in able support of Jamieson at the other end. The two powered the Kiwi score to 273-8 in the fifty overs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
The final wicket goes! Neesham gets Jadeja caught at long off by De Grandhomme as he looks to hit out with one wicket left. Impressive innings from Jadeja can't get his team over the line. A 22 run victory to win the ODI series. Scorecard | https://t.co/6E9wqCe2kt #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/DuR5pR1mDf
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 8, 2020
Tough day at the office but great character shown by #TeamIndia. #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/jgyz9YyhYt
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 8, 2020
At least now can the team management shelve the Jadhav experiment? Move on.
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) February 8, 2020
A tight #NZvIND contest, a run out right at the death, and Ravindra Jadeja falling just short of pulling off a miracle… Stop us if you've heard this one before 😉 pic.twitter.com/Pw4LM8qFcI
— ICC (@ICC) February 8, 2020
Great match for rookie Kylie Jamieson. His all round performance made the vital difference
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 8, 2020
This is India's first series loss, across formats, since the #CWC19 in July 2019
Since then in 12 bilateral series – won 11, drawn 1
Test series: won all 3
ODI series: won all 3
T20I series: won 5, drawn 1#INDvsNZ #IndvNZ #NZvsIND #NZvIND— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 8, 2020
Post today we really need to question again and again Kedar’s position in the team. If he doesn’t bowl he can’t keep Manish Pandey out. Grossly unfair.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) February 8, 2020
Something about cricket matches at Eden Park,they always go down to the wire @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/jHeH9EV1Ia
— Craig McMillan (@cmacca10) February 8, 2020
New Zealand won by 22 runs.
Scorecard: https://t.co/umWXksCQZ6#INDvNZ #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/gScHJ6dA67— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 8, 2020
#TeamIndia never got going in the chase, but kudos to Jadeja and Saini for taking it deep and putting up a fight. 🙌
New Zealand take the series 2-0 with a match to go. 👏
📸: @BCCI #SaddaPunjab #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/MNWEmRlBIE
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 8, 2020
Losing ODI series is not a big deal but India lost a golden opportunity of series wins across formats on an away tour. #NZvIND #INDvsNZ #INDvNZ
— Vimal कुमार (@Vimalwa) February 8, 2020