INDIA: Team India defeated New Zealand in the first One Day International at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad by 12 runs thanks to a special inning from Shubman Gill and a four-wicket haul from Mohammed Siraj.
India vs New Zealand
After deciding to bat first earlier, it was opener Shubman Gill who led the show. Gill scored a double-hundred and led his team to a total more than 300 runs by himself.
Shubman Gill put on a show and kept everyone amused as the others struggled against the New Zealand bowlers. It ultimately worked out just fine.
In reply, New Zealand got off to a poor start, losing quick wickets early in the innings. However, Michael Bracewell (140) and Mitchell Santner (57), put together a massive partnership for the seventh wicket to help the visitors get back into the game.
Mohammed Siraj, however, struck twice in quick succession. The pacer got rid of Santner and Henry Shipley in the same over, and put considerable pressure on New Zealand.
Bracewell led the charge from the other and continued hitting the Indian bowlers for boundaries and sixes. Shardul Thakur had the last laugh in the final over when he dismissed the batsman, as the hosts won by a slender 12-run margin.
Apart from Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav and Shardul Thakur claimed two wickets each. India now leads the three-match series 1-0 after this victory.
In the post-match presentation, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said that they were aware it was challenging to defend the total given the way Michael Bracewell was batting.
After keeping New Zealand 5 down, they knew they were still in the game, but the bowlers didn’t carry out some of their strategies.
Talking about Gill, Rohit said he played brilliantly, and that it is wonderful to see him bat the way he did today. He added that the team management wanted to give Gill more chances. Rohit also praised Siraj for his good bowling performance in the match.
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