India Sets New Zealand a Target of 250 Runs
Batting first in the final match of the group stage, India managed to score 249 runs in 50 overs. This wasn’t the most ideal start for India, but they managed to turn things around thanks to some solid performances from Shreyas Iyer and Akshar Patel. Hardik Pandya also played a crucial innings, helping to accelerate the scoring towards the end. New Zealand’s Matt Henry had a great day, taking 5 wickets in the match.
Shreyas Iyer was the top scorer for India, with 79 runs off 98 balls, including 2 sixes and 4 fours. Akshar Patel contributed 42 runs, with 1 six and 3 fours, while Hardik Pandya scored 45 runs off 45 balls, with 2 sixes and 4 fours. Pandya’s innings was particularly important, as it helped to give India a respectable total.
India didn’t get off to the best start, losing their first wicket at a score of 15. Shubman Gill was out lbw to Matt Henry, and the captain was also dismissed for 15 runs. However, Akshar Patel and Shreyas Iyer formed a solid partnership, sharing 98 runs and helping to take the pressure off India. Iyer completed his half-century in 75 balls, which is the slowest half-century of his ODI career.
The partnership between Patel and Iyer was eventually broken by Rachin Ravindra, who dismissed Akshar Patel for 42. Shreyas Iyer was then caught out by Will Young off the bowling of Rachin Ravindra, scoring 79 runs in 98 balls. In the final overs, Hardik Pandya played a quickfire innings of 45 runs, which helped to give India a competitive total. KL Rahul was dismissed by Michel Santner for 23 runs, while Ravindra Jadeja scored 16 runs before being dismissed by Matt Henry.
New Zealand’s Bowling Performance
Matt Henry was the standout bowler for New Zealand, taking 5 wickets for 42 runs in 8 overs. He dismissed Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, and his spell was instrumental in keeping India’s scoring in check. Mitchell Santner took 1 wicket for 41 runs in his 10-over spell, while Rachin Ravindra gave away 31 runs in 6 overs and took 1 wicket. Michael Bracewell was the most expensive bowler, conceding 56 runs in 9 overs, and Will Young took 1 wicket for 47 runs in 9 overs. New Zealand will need to chase down 250 runs to win the match.