India lose despite Kohli’s brilliant ton

India came close to yet another victory while chasing down some big totals at Napier against the Kiwis in the first one-dayer. But the home side clinched the match by 24 runs with a good bowling performance which was preceded by a spirited show with the bat. Corey Anderson was adjudged the man-of-the-match for his unbeaten knock of 68 from just 40 balls that enabled NZ to post a big total.

India won the toss but to everyone’s surprise MS Dhoni decided to put the home side into bat. The Kiwis took advantage of the flat wicket in home conditions and set a total of 292/7. Indian bowlers made a good start as they picked couple of wickets before the score crossed the 50-run mark, thanks to Mohammad Shami’s disciplined bowling. Then former captain Ross Taylor (55) along with Kane Williamson (71) took the steering of the match into their own hands as they built up a partnership of 121 runs setting up the platform for the rest of the players to capitalize on that. Corey Anderson did just that. He came at a time when NZ needed some big hitting and provided that with ease. Again India’s death bowling was put to more questions for being unable to keep the batsmen under control even after taking cruise control of the match. NZ took advantage of India’s bowling which was not up to mark and set a target of 293 for India to chase down. Anderson remained unbeaten on 68 from just 40 balls. Mohammad Shami was the pick of the Indian bowlers picking up 4 wickets, though he gave away too many runs in the end.

Coming on to bat India made a slow start. But had that been a steady one the final result could have been a different one. Rohit Sharma went out to a short ball for just 3 runs after having played 23 balls. Shikhar Dhawan (32) tried to steady the ship after the early setback but also lost out the battle after a 50-run partnership with Rahane (7), in which he scored the most of the runs. It was again up to Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to see India through to the finishing line. They almost did that. Kohli was at his supreme best and was well accompanied by his captain until a short ball from McClenaghan did the trick for the hosts. Dhoni while he was beginning to look dangerous was done in by that short ball from McClenaghan as keeper Luke Ronchi took a good catch behind the wicket. Kohli followed his captain the very next over but not before he has registered yet another century while batting second. It was Kohli’s 12^th century while chasing but for first time India ended on the losing side. After the departure of Kohli and Dhoni it was just a matter of time that NZ wrapped up the India’s tail. India was all out for 268, 24 runs short of what could have been a victory after 2 consecutive defeats which they suffered in South Africa.

New Zealand has now taken a 1-0 lead in the one day series. India will look forward to make a comeback i9n the next match which is scheduled to be held in 3 days time. India did not look too bad on the field but the Kiwis played better than the away side on the day and as a result what looks like is that an exciting contest between two good one-day sides is on the cards in the upcoming matches in the series.

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About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.