India vs NZ ODI: Saini, Jadeja’s efforts fall short as New Zealand seizes victory

Auckland: A brilliant knock by Navdeep Saini could not help India achieve victory as New Zealand won the second ODI by 22 runs.

Chasing a total of 273, Prithvi Shaw helped India get off to a good start, hitting 3 boundaries in the first over, but Mayank Agarwal raced back to the pavilion scoring just three. Prithvi Shaw failed to capitalise on a good start and fell for 24.

Hopes were pinned on skipper Kohli and KL Rahul, but it wasn’t to be this time. Kohli and Rahul were dismissed for scores of 15 and 4 runs respectively.

India found the pit of woes deepen when Kedhar Jadhav took 27 balls to get to 9 runs only to get out.

The ray of hope was Shreyas Iyer who was batting well at the other end. But when Shreyas Iyer got out soon after completing his half century to a catch by Tom Latham, it looked like all was over for India at Eden Park.

There was Jadeja to rely on and he did deliver, but India saw an unlikely valiant hero, after Shardul Thakur was bowled by Colin de Grandhomme, in the form of Navdeep Saini.

The target always seemed out of reach though and at the end of 43 overs India was 206/7. Saini spearheaded the resurgence, hitting 3 boundaries in the 44th over and a six in the next to the shock of everyone.

There was belief that India could make it over the line, until Saini lost his wicket to Kyle Jamieson.

But Jadeja was still at the crease.

Yuzvendra Chahal only managed to score 10 runs when he had to return.

Though victory seemed far off, one could see it be a reality. But with 22 runs to get in the 49th over, Jadeja tried to go big but was caught by Colin de Grandhomme off James Neesham.

India were all out for 251.

Debutant Kyle Jamieson was awarded the player of the match for his 2/42 and 25 not out.

Batting first, New Zealand managed to post 273/8, thanks to an unbeaten 73 by Ross Taylor which saw the hosts put what turned out to be a challenging total.

It was a steady start to the innings as the Kiwis posted a score of 93 without losing a wicket. Spin came to India’s rescue as Yuzvendra Chahal trapped Henry Nicholls leg-before wicket for 41.

Martin Guptill was joined by Tom Blundell who helped the side add 49 runs before Blundell was caught out after scoring a quick 22.

It wasn’t too long before Guptill made a walk back to the pavilion for a score of 79. Two new batsmen at the crease meant there was opportunity for another to fall. At the score of 171, Tom Latham was sent back by Ravindra Jadeja (7).

Three more wickets of Jimmy Neesham (3), Colin de Grandhomme (5), and Mark Chapman (0) saw New Zealand slip to 187/7

Spinners contained Ross Taylor and it was only during the return of the quick bowlers that the batsman picked up pace and enabled the Kiwis go past the 270-run mark, managing a 76-run partnership with Kylie Jamieson who made his debut.

Yuzvendra Chahal managed three wickets while Ravindra Jadeja secured one by the end of the New Zealand innings.