ODI Cricket

India wins the 5 ODI series against New Zealand 3-0. If anybody missed the 2^nd ODI, well Gautam Gambhir did his best to replay his innings for the 3^rd ODI in Vadodara on the 4^th of December. He won the toss and chose to field first just as he did in the 2^nd ODI, put the Kiwi’s in to bat taking advantage of the early morning moist conditions, making it further impossible for New Zealand was the return of Zaheer Khan from injury who took 2 wickets for 31 runs with 2 maiden overs and Yusuf Pathan and R Ashwin who took 2 wickets each restricting New Zealand to a mere 224runs at 4.48 runs per over.

Gambhir made 126runs not out with help from Virat Kohli who made 63, thereby proving to be a crucial partnership after Murli Vijay getting run out by Daniel Vettori. The bowling attack by the Kiwi’s being completely insipid and further ineffective as the pitch began easing out by the afternoon.

The New Zealand batting side seemed hopeful with the return of Brendan McCullum to the side,but as the match began, he quite literally handed his wicket to Zaheer Khan getting out on a duck (0) and giving the Indians the early break through they desperately wanted.

So the top order collapsed and the middle order lost wickets at regular intervals the only bright side for the Kiwi’s was the 94 run partnership on the 8^th wicket James Franklin and Nathan McCullum, but damage was already done by the top and middle order and the Indian bowlers not letting a single player settle down. James Franklin made a commendable 72runs and Nathan McCullum made 43runs.

Gambhir made the 224 run chase look like child’s play making his 50 in just 30 balls and finishing the match with appx 10 runs to spare. He seems to be enjoying his captaincy rather than making it a burden. Virat Kolhi mean while rubs salt on the kiwi wounds by ending the match with a 6.

Two matches still remain in the 5 ODI series on the 7^th of December in Bangalore and on the 10^th of December in Chennai. New Zealand will want to save further humiliation and India will want to go for the kill.

It doesn’t really matter now that the series has already been won by India but it would be interesting to find out how many more chances Ravinder Jadeja will be given and whether Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli will give any other player a chance to bat in the next two matches. Meanwhile M.S Dhoni will enjoy his hiatus without any hesitation all thanks to Gautam Gambhir.

Tags: Cricket, Gautam Gambhir, India, New Zealand, ODI Match, ODI Series, Sports, Vadodara, Virat Kohli, Zaheer Khan