Team India, continuing with their unbeaten run in the ODI format this year, registered a thumping eight-wicket victory against New Zealand during the second ODI in Raipur. The result has meant that India have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the third and final match scheduled to take place at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, on January 24 (Tuesday).
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It was a day dominated by the Indian bowlers, the pacers in particular, as they ran through half the New Zealand side within the first 11 Overs of the match, with only 15 runs on the scoreboard.
The pair of Mohammed Shami (6-1-18-3) and Mohammed Siraj (6-1-10-1) were lethal right from the get go, taking full advantage of the grass cover on the pitch and the decent bounce on offer as well.
With a modest target of 109, the Indian opening pair of skipper Rohit Sharma (51 off 50) and Shubman Gill (40* off 53) smashed a half-century partnership to pave way for the team’s victory with nearly 30 Overs to spare.
Rohit Sharma’s forgetful nature once highlighted by Virat Kohli became evident during Toss time
Before the Indian fielders took the field, a rather hilarious moment was witnessed by the crowd and the viewers, when Rohit Sharma failed to remember for some good ten seconds or so, as to what he had decided to opt for upon winning the Toss.
While match referee Javagal Srinath could not get hold of what actually got Sharma clean bowled, Kiwi skipper Tom Latham could not help but gaze at him with a sheepish smile.
Former team India captain Virat Kohli had specifically highlighted this one personality trait in Sharma during a chat show with renowned actor/sports presenter Gaurav Kapur, around five years ago.
“Jitni cheezen Rohit Sharma bhulta hai, utna maine kisi ko nahi dekha. ipad, wallet, phone, matlab chote mote kaam nahi, seedha jo cheezen daily use ki hain seedha, han ‘I don’t care, naya le lenge’. Usko pata hi nahi rehta hai chooth gaya hai. Bus aadhe raste ho jati hai hotal me usko yaad aaya mera ipad plane me tha! Passport bhi usne choodha hai do, teen baar. Badi mushkil se uska retrieve kiya hai. Logistical manager ne message daalna shuru kar diya hai ki Rohit se pehle poocho samaan hai? To jab uski yes milti hai, tab bus hilti hai. (No one ever has forgotten more number of personal belongings than Rohit Sharma has. ipad, wallet, phone, the things of daily use are the ones he forgets with the “I dont’ care, will buy a new one” attitude. He doesn’t even know he’s left something behind. The bus travels half the journey and he suddenly remembers he’s left his ipad in the plane. He’s even left his passport two-three times, and sometimes it has become quite a challenge to retrieve it back. The logistical manager now only begins the bus journey when he receives a confirmation from Rohit that he’s carried all his belongings with himself),” remarked Kohli.
Watch the aforementioned episode clip by clicking here.
