New Zealand vs India 1st ODI: Indians restrict New Zealand to a total of 292

India successfully restricted New Zealand to a total of 292 runs which was once looking to go past the 310 run mark. The bowlers had done their homework, especially in the department of bowling yorkers.

The innings started on a high note for the hosts as Jesse Ryder struck 1 six and 3 fours by the end of the 3^rd over. He paid the price for not moving his feet as he was clean bowled by a fine in-swinger from Mohammad Shami. Indians bowled accurately to Martin Guptill and its reward went again to Shami when Guptill tried to flash the ball hard but ultimately was caught in the slips.

Ishant Sharma was not getting any swing early on and by TV replays it became clear that his wrist position at the time of releasing the ball was not in the proper position. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami moved the ball both ways.

A century run partnership followed next between Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. Their ideas were clear i.e., not to lose any more wickets till the 35^th over and set a platform for the big hitters who were to come next. Williamson played very cautiously, leaving the ball outside off and waiting for bowlers to bowl to his body, and showed excellent feet movements against spinners. He also played his trademark back foot cover drives a couple of times which was pleasing to watch. Ross Taylor didn’t face any problem and was working the balls away to take singles and occasional couples.

Williamson was ultimately dismissed for 71 off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja when he failed to loft the ball over the cover fielder Ajinkya Rahane. Ross Taylor was caught behind in the 2^nd over of the batting powerplay after scoring 55. It took 82 balls to score that many runs and that gave a clear indication how well the Indian bowlers were. In the process, MS Dhoni became the 4^th player in history of ODI cricket to take 300 dismissals.

Brendon McCullum and Corey Anderson were looking to take the score past 320 but against the run of play McCullum was dismissed, thanks to an outstanding catch by the captain, off the bowling of Kumar. He came up to the stumps in order to prevent McCullum to come down the track and was successful in this plan.

The 44^th and the 45^th over went for a total of 39 runs due to some power hitting by Anderson and Ronchi. Indians made a good comeback in the next five overs, giving away just 36 runs and only one boundary. Corey Anderson made a sizzling 68 off just 40 balls but didn’t get much strike in the last few overs. All the three fast bowlers bowled some good yorkers especially Shami, who gave away just 9 runs in his last two overs after being hit for 19 in his 7^th over.

Mohammad Shami was easily the pick of the bowlers as he took 4 wickets in his 9 overs. Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma took 1 each.

The young fielding side looked athletic in the field and they easily saved 10-15 runs which can prove to be crucial in this game. Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and our very own MS Dhoni were the pick of the fielders. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar also took an awesome catch to dismiss Ronchi who was looking very dangerous. Mohammad Shami caught and bowled Nathan McCullum.

On the whole, Indians will be happy with their performance and now it’s time for the batsmen to chase down the total and take a 1-0 lead in this one day series.