NZ vs IND: Important takeaways from the 2nd ODI
The second ODI match between New Zealand and India in the 2019 Netmeds ODI series is over. India won the match by 90 runs after the Kiwis were bowled out for just 234.
Winning the toss and deciding to bat first, the Men in Blue scored 324/4. After a humiliating defeat in the first ODI, New Zealand fans would have been expecting a bounce back from the home side.
Unfortunately, it did not happen. They lost and failed to impress their supporters once again. Nevertheless, it is a very important game in the road to the World Cup. We get some important insights from the match.
Top order on fire
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma are evolving into an unbreakable opening duo in world cricket. It took 25.2 overs for the Kiwis to break their partnership.
They made a massive 154 run opening stand. The pair's 14th 100+ stand broke Sehwag and Tendulkar's record for the most 100+ partnerships in ODIs for team India. They are now third on the list. They need just one more 100+ stand to become the second which would likely happen during the same series.
All is well for the Hitman and Gabbar as World Cup approaches where they have a real chance to become the best world cup opening partnership in 2019.
A pessimistic journey
The performance of the New Zealand team against Team India in the second ODI is sure to make the Kiwi supporters skeptical as the Black Caps approach the World Cup which is just a few months away. Although the World Cup will not happen in Mount Maunganui, there are still doubts concerning their performance at the grand event.
Home conditions are considered as a team's forte. To win at home is easier than to win in away conditions for most cricket sides. Things can change in the course of this 5 match series but as of now, the Kiwis are in trouble.
Another visit, another conquest?
The Indian team gets better and better each series. They tried their luck in Australia and absolutely stunned the home team. Now they are producing surprise after surprise in New Zealand.
The Asian Giants are definitely avenging the recent series loss of their neighbors and rivals Sri Lanka at New Zealand in a huge way. It is still too soon to say that there might be a whitewash but looking at the way India has handled the Black Caps so far, we can expect a humbling defeat for the home team.
They visited the Aussies and conquered them. They are now looking to conquer the Kiwis. It is yet to be seen if the Kiwis can prove otherwise. The next match will take place on the same ground and it therefore offers the Kiwis a second chance at some redemption.
What do you think about the Kiwis losing for the second time against team India? Do you expect them to win all games from now? Use the comment section to register your opinions.