ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Team India gave a good performance in their first warm-up match of ICC Champions Trophy 2017 against New Zealand. Indian bowlers bowled well and restricted Kiwi batters to just 189 runs. Considering India’s strong batting line-up and batting friendly conditions, Kiwis’ total was way below par.
India lost Rahane early but Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli stitched together a good partnership for the second wicket. India were 129/3 when rain interrupted the game. The men in Blue were later declared winners after rain forced no more action. In the end, India won the match by 45 runs (D/L method).
Now, to add more firepower to India’s batting unit, opener Rohit Sharma has arrived in London. Rohit, who delayed his departure to England for ICC Champions Trophy for a family wedding, will join the team and feature at the top of the order in the second warm up match.
India will play their next warm up match against Bangladesh on Tuesday. Bangladesh, who are at number 6 spot in ICC ODI Rankings ahead of Sri Lanka and West Indies, have been in very good form off late. Rohit Sharma, who made his international comeback after injury that forced him to stay away from the game for many weeks, would want to find his form early on in the tournament. His form a the top of the order would be crucial for India as new ball is tricky to negotiate in English conditions. However, Rohit has a good experience of playing in England and he, along Dhawan, gave good starts to India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013, which also took place in England.
More to follow…
