New Zealand v India: Talking Points

India got off to a poor start

New Zealand won the toss and put India to bat first on a green Christchurch pitch. Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill were welcomed with brilliant swing bowling and both openers fell cheaply. Iyer continued his purple patch in ODIs as he played beautifully as he was answering the Kiwis with his punches and drives but before ballooning one in the air. Rishabh Pant went slogging on a slower one from Daryl Mitchell, Suryakumar Yadav went fishing outside off, while Deepak Hooda was done by a bouncer and India found themselves in deep trouble.

Sundar rescued the ship with the tail

With the scorecard reading 149-6, Washington Sundar took the command in his hands as he stitched a reliant partnership with first Chahar and then alongside Chahal. However, Sundar could also last till the end as he dismissed a ball after notching his maiden ODI fifty. An excellent fifty from Washington Sundar took India to a fighting total of 219 before they got bundled out without playing the full quota of 50 overs. The inexperience clearly showed in the batting unit as they failed to put in any significant partnership.

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Rain has the last laugh once again

New Zealand openers started brilliantly, both Finn Allen and Devon Conway were slow to start off but soon got going and stitched a magnificent opening partnership of 97 runs. Umran Malik got the breakthrough in the 17th over dismissing Allen on 57 (54) but soon it started to rain at the venue and the covers were called on. Initially, it looked like a passing shower but it only got heavier and the game was called off, which meant New Zealand win the series 1-0. This series has provided a great learning curve for this young Indian side, India win the T20I series and New Zealand clinch the ODI series.