India went down against the Kiwis at the Wankhede without putting much of a fight. New Zealand handed India a pinching defeat by 6 wickets in the first instalment of the 3 Match ODI series. But today India settled the odds at Pune and returned the favour to Blackcaps as India won by 6 wickets chasing a score of 231.
India’s chase always seemed in control as first Shikhar Dhawan anchored the chase with a handsome half century and then the come back guy Dinesh Karthik steered the chase with a responsible half century. Gabbar and Karthik made sure that India doesn’t have to pay heftily for Rohit Sharma’s early fall and then Kohli falling cheaply.
Now the third match would be perfect tie breaker as the both the teams now stand at par with one win each in the 3 match series. Talking about today’s game at Pune let’s see how much ratings on 10 did the men in blue earned.
Rohit Sharma 2/10
Like the first game Hitman failed to fire in Pune too. He never looked in control of his very short lived innings of 7 from 19 balls. His dismissal could have added woes to India’s chances. The opener failed to accept the onus of the chase.
Shikhar Dhawan 8/10
The first game was a nightmare for both the openers as both, Dhawan and Rohit fell cheaply. But today Gabbar made sure that he adds value to his name. With a smart and responsible innings of 68 Shikhar Dhawan anchored the chase pretty well and thanks to the foundation laid by him that Karthik could later capitalise. He anchored his innings nicely and made 68 from 84 balls. Gabbar also hit two big sixes in his innings.
Virat Kohli 5/10
The chase master performed contrary to the expectations. Captain Kohli couldn’t weave magic today unlike the first game where hi hit a smashing ton and credited many records to his account. Today Kohli could only manage 29 runs from 29 balls.
When Kohli got out India’s chances started to sway as India hasn’t seen many chases without Kohli. The captain failed to lead from the front.
Dinesh Karthik 9/10
The come back wicket keeper batsman is the hero of India’s chase. Many raised questions upon his selection but today had it not been for his innings India could have lost both, the match and the series. Karthik made sure that he stays there till the job is complete.
Dinesh Karthik scored 64 runs from 92 deliveries and he knew that strike rate wasn’t an issue. All India needed to win was someone to anchor the chase and Karthik raised his hand up and won it for India.
Kedhar Yadhav 7.5/10
His roles and the responsibilities in the team keep switching. Today it wasn’t with the bat but with the ball. Though he did not get any wicket but still Kedhar Yadav in his quota of 8 overs only conceded 31 runs and restricted the Kiwis. Kedhar’s contribution with the bat wasn’t needed today.
M.S Dhoni 6/10
You cannot ignore Dhoni ever, can you? In the first half of the match Dhoni took some crucial catches and made it count with the gloves. He came towards the last leg of the chase and remained unbeaten at 18 from 21 balls.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar 9/10
He’s been on a dream run of form and he’s getting better with each passing day. Now he has even started to prove his worth as a valuable middle order batsman but today his batting services weren’t required.
He bowled beautifully and gave early jitters to New Zealand top order. He finished with figures of 3/45 and has some great answers to ask from the New Zealand batsmen with the bowl.
Jasprit Bumrah 9/10
When you talk about Bhuvneshwar Kumar how can you not talk about Bumrah? Bumrah too dominated the New Zealand batsmen and claimed the wicket of skipper Kane Williamson with a sheer beauty.
In his quota of 10 overs Bumrah finished with figures of 2 for 38 and was the most economical of all bowlers.
Yuzvendra Chahal 7.5/10
The wrist spinner who was left wicket less in the first game managed to pick a couple of wickets today. In his 8 overs he conceded only 36 runs. He sent back Adam Milne for a golden duck and despite a few bad deliveries he managed to keep things in control.
