While it was Shubman Gill’s sublime double century which single-handedly made way for India’s win in the first ODI, it was the bowling unit today, led by Mohammed Shami which did it for the hosts during the second ODI in Raipur.
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With the three-match series already sealed, the Rohit Sharma-led side will now take on the Kiwis in the third and final ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, on January 24 (Tuesday).
Opting to bowl first at the venue hosting its first international match today, the pair of Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj were all over the New Zealand top and middle order like a rash, as they reduced the visitors to 15/5 at one point in time, with the nature of the pitch coming to their aid as well.
While the lower middle-order did save the side from some overall embarrassment, they could only huff and puff to the ultimate total of 108 in 34.3 Overs.
In reply, there was no fuss regarding how to go about with the chase from the Indian opening pair of Rohit Sharma (51 off 50) and Shubman Gill (40 off 53), with the former playing some delightful strokes to hand India an 8-wicket victory in mere 20.1 Overs.
Indore Cricket Stadium pitch report IND next match
Indore’s Holkar Stadium is set to host an ODI after more than a five-year gap, with the previous one being an India versus Australia contest back in 2017, which the hosts had won by 5 wickets.
However, the venue did host a T20I in October last year which turned out to be a high-scoring one. On the back of a maiden T20I century by Rilee Rossouw, South Africa posted a massive total of 227/3 on the board, and emerged victorious by 49 runs.
Expect yet another cracker of a game dominated by the batters come Tuesday during the third ODI, unlike the one which was witnessed today in Raipur.
Also, the shorter boundary dimensions of the ground will further make lives difficult for the bowlers, who cannot afford to bowl short at this venue.
