(MENAFN- Gulf Times) After trailing 0-1 in the three match One-Day International (ODI) series, India will look to bounce back when the hosts take on a confident New Zealand in the second match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here today.
Despite a brilliant knock from the India skipper Virat Kohli (121), New Zealand's Tom Latham and Ross Taylor joined hands to hand their team a comprehensive six-wicket victory.
The duo contributed a 200-run stand for the fourth wicket as the visitors overtook India's total of 280/8 with six balls to spare.
Apart for Kohli and Dinesh Karthik (37) no other batsman rose to the occasion. Many experienced players got a start but could not convert it into a big score.
Kohli also rued that the hosts fell 30 to 40 runs short and, in the coming match the hosts would like to improve in that department.
In the bowling department, apart from medium-pacer Hardik Pandya (1/46) no other player made the mark as they only managed to take four wickets. The spinners, who had done well against the Australians, also failed drastically.
India's bowling coach Bharat Arun said to level the series is a challenge and the team is ready for it.
'We look at it as a big challenge right now. New Zealand competed exceptionally well, they had a fantastic partnership (in Mumbai) and they went on to win that game, Bharat said.
'It is a bigger challenge for us to come back, we know we have our plans in place and it is a good testing ground for the team (on) how you come back from behind and do well in the series, he added.
New Zealand, on the other hand, has ticked most of the boxes in the first match. Their top-order batsmen clicked and the bowlers also did a good job. Experienced pacer Trent Boult (4/35) made his mark and the other bowlers supported him at the other end.
Dravid downplays Kohli's ‘rest' rumours
IANS, New Delhi: Former India captain and current Under-19 cricket team coach Rahul Dravid on Tuesday downplayed speculations over Virat Kohli being denied rest during the Test series against Sri Lanka next month.
Kohli had recently spoken about players' burnout due to constant cricket and there were rumours that he may be rested for the whole of Sri Lankan series in order to keep him fresh for the tour of South Africa which starts on December 30.
The first India vs Sri Lanka Test starts from November 16 while Nagpur and Delhi will host the second and third Tests respectively before the sides play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and a same number of Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
'Rotations are needed. There are a lot of matches being played, so you need to rotate the players. I think the management is taking right decision (in terms of rotating the players), Dravid said on the sidelines of FICCI's felicitation programmes for women cricketers Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami.
'Everyone needs rest. He (Kohli) will get rest when he wants. When and which series (Kohli will take) rest will be decided by the team management, physios and physical trainers (after discussing with the player). Probably currently he doesn't need rest. He may be rested later. I don't know why there is so much of discussion and controversy, he added.
Dravid was asked about International Cricket Council (ICC)'s latest decisions on limiting the size of the bats.
According to the ICC, though the restriction on the length and width of bats remain unchanged, the thickness of the edges can't be more than 40mm and the overall depth can be 67 mm at the most.
MENAFN2410201700670000ID1095983806
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.