SL vs AFG 3rd ODI: Sri Lanka 314 for 6 (Asalanka 83*, Mendis 67, Rashid 4-37, Nabi 2-56) beat Afghanistan 313 for 8 (Ibrahim 162, Najibullah 77, Rajitha 3-60) by four wickets

Charith Asalanka played the best ODI innings of his career, scoring 83 runs off 72 deliveries to help Sri Lanka chase a record 314 runs at Pallekele and even the three-game series 1-1.

While Asalanka, with assistance from Dasun Shanaka and Dunith Wellalage, provided Sri Lanka with the roaring finish they required, Kusal Mendis provided the initial impetus, scoring 67 off 61 balls in an opening stand worth 101 with Pathum Nissanka. Their efforts were better than Ibrahim Zadran’s epic 162 runs off 138 balls, which was easily the highest ODI score ever scored by an Afghanistan batsman. 

Mohammad Shahzad’s 131 runs without scoring against Zimbabwe was the former best. He and Najibullah Zadran combined for 154 runs off 141 balls to rescue Afghanistan from a precarious 57 for 3 and put them in a strong position. His innings were the backbone of the team’s batting. That partnership was Afghanistan’s best ever for the fourth wicket, and they finished with 87 runs in their last 10 overs, 56 of which came from Ibrahim. However, Sri Lanka’s 297-run victory over Zimbabwe at Pallekele was the most recent successful chase, and it was completed with two balls to spare. 

In addition to Asalanka, Wellalage, who scored 31 runs off 21, helped Sri Lanka advance through the final stages. Together the pair put on an unbeaten 65 runs off only 39 balls for the seventh wicket. When they came together, Sri Lanka needed to score at well over nine runs per over, and this was essentially the last known pair. As a result, this is essentially the partnership that sealed the match for Sri Lanka. Asalanka smoked the bowler over long-on with two sixes off Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the 45th over, signaling Sri Lanka’s charge.Even though Rashid Khan bowled the 47th over for just three runs and Sri Lanka needed 37 runs off the last 18 balls, Wellalage found his batting rhythm and relieved Asalanka of the burden in the final few overs. 

ALSO READ: AUS vs WI Test: AUS stumps for 293/2

He struck three fours in the next over, bowled by Gulbadin Naib, scooping Fazalhaq Farooqi over fine leg, slapping him through fine leg, and then tonking him down the ground, ending the 48th over. Farooqi bowled the final over, giving Sri Lanka 13 runs, and every batter hit a six. The shot that Wellalage fired was over cow corner, and a Rashid running full speed to his left missed it. Farooqi insisted on going short rather than full in the final over, so Asalanka’s was over deep square leg. Asalanka finished his innings with five fours and four sixes and had probably been cramped for the last third of his innings. 

Mendis had been pushing Sri Lanka above the required rate earlier, and he had continued to be effective on the legside. He scored nearly two-thirds of his runs after the wicket. In all, he made eight fours and one six. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, had Afghanistan under control even earlier in the game. After 14.1 overs, the visitors were down to 57 for 3 at one point. However, Ibrahim and Najibullah meticulously rebuilt before transitioning to accumulation mode in the early middle overs and then exploding as the end drew nearer. 

Najibullah only hit two fours in 55 balls of his innings. He hit six fours and one six in the next 21 balls before being out in the 38th over. After Najibullah was fired, the scoring rate did not decrease. Having finished his hundred, Ibrahim took a firmer grasp of the reins and fashioned useful organizations with Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmad. 

By the end, his runs were all over the wicket. After hitting 15 fours and four sixes, he was run out on the final pitch of the innings. Sri Lanka earns ten Super League points, putting them at 77 overall and still in ninth place. In the League, they only have to play three more games. At the moment, Afghanistan is ranked seventh.

NZ vs IND 3rd ODI: No result India 219 (Washington 51, Iyer 49, Mitchell 3-25, Milne 3-57) vs New Zealand 104 for 1 (Allen 57, Conway 38*, Malik 1-31)

The final ODI of the series, which took place in Christchurch after 18 overs in which New Zealand chased India’s 219. When the players were taken off the field at Hagley Oval, New Zealand were at 104 for 1—well ahead of the DLS target—thanks to Finn Allen’s 54-ball 57 and Devon Conway’s 38 not out in 51 balls. However, the match did not conclude with a result because the 20-over mark had not been reached. 

This gave New Zealand a 1-0 series victory

India had previously prevailed 1-0 in the three-match T20I series. This was the fourth of six matches in the short white-ball series without a conclusion. Prior, New Zealand won the toss, bowled first, and their seamers took advantage of anything that assistance there was in the surface and the circumstances to dismiss India for 219. Daryl Mitchell and Adam Milne each took three wickets to keep India at bay. Additionally, Washington Sundar’s first half-century in an ODI, which came after Shreyas Iyer’s 49 from No.3: India would have had trouble reaching 200. 

In the chase’s second over, Arshdeep Singh bowled a maiden that caused Devon Conway trouble by moving the ball both ways. In any case, Allen couldn’t be held back at the opposite end and, bit by bit, Conway likewise got rolling, in any event, hitting four fours in a Deepak Chahar over. It helped New Zealand win their ten overs without losing a single one. Quick runs were brought about by Umran Malik’s fast pace; his first two overs went for 21. When Allen reached his 50-ball half-century by swatting Washington over long-off, he indulged in his bowling. Malik, on the other hand, caught Allen behind the covers for India’s first and only wicket. After an over, the sky became clear. As mentioned before, the game was expected to be soaked, and a drizzle caused the start to be pushed back by ten minutes. 

After that, openers Shubman Gill and Shikhar Dhawan were mostly kept quiet by Matt Henry and Tim Southee. This despite the fact that Dhawan frequently used his feet to charge down the field in an effort to frustrate the quick bowlers. After sprinting down the track, he hit his first two boundaries, a four-over cover point and a six-over long-on. But all he had to show for his adventures was 25 off 36 balls after ten overs. After facing 11 dots, Gill hit two fours, a delectable drive through extra cover and a front-foot pull through midwicket, before flicking one to forward square-leg to give Milne his first wicket. 

Milne, who was in the XI in place of Michael Bracewell, got Dhawan to play one on through the inside edge after another slink down the wicket. He did, however, grass Iyer at deep third in the middle. The ship was steered for a while by Iyer and Rishabh Pant without really gaining any momentum. Iyer appeared composed, timing his punches and cuts through the offside with precision, and he did not shy away from leg heaves. Suryakumar Yadav, on the other hand, edged a ball to slip off Milne for the second time in the series, and Mitchell, who had only taken one wicket in ODIs prior to Wednesday, was able to snare Pant with a short one. 

ALSO READ: NZ vs IND 3rd ODI: Rain Delay

After Iyer, who appeared to be on track to score his second half-century in the series, sliced one, Devon Conway took a sharp catch coming in from sweeper cover and caught it. India were in ruins at 121-5. India had a good chance of missing the 200-run mark when Deepak Hooda fell with them on 149. However, Washington’s batting prowess was on display for the second time in the series, following his unbeaten 16-ball 37 in the first ODI, and he scored a few runs with the tail before falling. The complete game looked well shy of standard, and New Zealand looked great to chase it down. But the rain made sure that we would never know if something unexpected was going to happen.

In the first innings of the decisive final One-Day International at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand’s seamers took advantage of the surface and the conditions to dismiss India for 219. Before switching to Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson used 42 seam overs. Adam Milne took three of the top five Indian wickets.

After New Zealand chose to bowl, Daryl Mitchell took three wickets and struck twice in the middle overs to break India’s batting back. Washington Sundar’s first half-century, which came after Shreyas Iyer’s 49 at No.3: India might not have been able to reach 200. Due to a ten-minute delay caused by a light drizzle, Tim Southee and Matt Henry were able to largely silence the openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill. 

This despite Dhawan frequently charging the pacers with his feet in an effort to distract them.

After sprinting down the track, he hit his first two boundaries, a four over cover-point and a six over long-on. His efforts to score more were harmed when he shot 25 off 36 at the ten-over mark. After facing 11 dots, Gill hit two fours—a delectable drive through extra cover and a front-foot pull through midwicket—before flicking one to forward square leg to take Milne’s first wicket.

Milne, who was in the XI in place of Michael Bracewell, got Dhawan to play one on through the inside edge after another slink down the wicket. He did, however, grass Iyer at deep third in the interim. The ship was steered for a while by Iyer and Rishabh Pant, but they did not really gain any momentum toward India. 

Iyer looked far from guaranteed, timing his slices and punches through the off side while additionally not avoiding the hurls through midwicket. But Suryakumar Yadav edged one to slip off Milne for the second time in the series, and Mitchell, who had only taken one wicket in ODIs prior to Wednesday, bowled Pant out. Devon Conway took a well-timed catch running in from sweeper cover after Iyer, who appeared poised to score his second half-century in the series, sliced one aerially. 

Conway had been running in from sweeper cover. India were in disarray just over halfway through the innings, at 121 for 5. At the point when Deepak Hooda fell with India’s score on 149, the vacationers were at risk for being misguided by the 200-run mark. However, following his unbeaten 16-ball 37 in the first ODI, Washington demonstrated his batsmanship for the second time in the series. 

ALSO READ: NZ vs IND ODI: “Pant clearly needs a break”- Tharoor

He scored his first fifty and then added 31 with Yuzvendra Chahal (8 in 22 balls) for the eighth wicket before being the final player to be run out. After the second game was abandoned due to rain, New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Additionally, the hosts should maintain their enviable record in Christchurch unless something unexpected occurs.

After India’s poor batting performance in the third and final ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday in Christchurch, the Rishabh Pant vs. Sanju Samson debate once more came into the spotlight. The visitors were bowled out for 219 in 47.3 overs, and vice captain Pant only managed to score 10 runs off 16 deliveries while Sanju was left out to warm the bench. As the hosts hold a 1-0 lead over the three-match series, India must win the final ODI, but they won’t be able to challenge the Kiwis. 

Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant were tasked with stabilizing the Indian innings after the opening duo of Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill left early. However, by and by, the wicketkeeper-player played a miscued shot and holed it out to Glenn Phillips close to deep square leg boundary off Daryl Mitchell’s delivery. Due to the fact that the team management had preferred him over Sanju Samson, Pant’s dismissal caused a storm on the social media platforms. 

The Delhi cricketer was the target of a vicious online attack by people who compared his batting statistics to those of his Kerala teammate.

Shashi Tharoor, a well-known politician, joined the bandwagon and harshly criticized Pant, stating that the youngster needed a break. The member of Parliament went on to say that Sanju won’t be in the squad for the upcoming Bangladesh tour, so he won’t be able to show off his batting skills until the IPL. 

Actually, Tharoor’s comment was a retweet of a post he made after the third ODI started on Wednesday morning. The politician highlighted the disparity between the stats of the two cricketers in his previous tweet, adding that Sanju was benched once more despite having a higher average than Pant. 

Washington Sundar, on the other hand, scored his first ODI fifty to help India reach just 219 against New Zealand. India’s innings never really got going on a pitch with a lot of grass and lateral movement and cloudy conditions until Sundar stood up and hit five fours and a six in 64 balls to get the visitors past 200. 

ALSO READ: Steve Smith Sends Ominous Signs with Yet Another Modification to His Technique

Shreyas Iyer, on the other hand, struck a useful 49 while the other batsmen struggled and succumbed to a disciplined bowling performance by New Zealand. Daryl Mitchell’s use as the fifth bowler for the hosts was a masterful move, scoring 3/25 in seven overs.

In the third and final one-day international (ODI) match that will take place on November 30 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Team India, led by Shikhar Dhawan, will attempt to conclude their rain-hit tour of New Zealand with a victory.

After losing the first ODI by seven wickets, India trail Kane Williamson’s team 1-0 in the series. 

The second ODI of the series, which was played on Sunday (November 27), was canceled due to inclement weather in Hamilton, and the weather forecast for Wednesday also does not look promising. After the third match was tied using the DLS method, Team India had won the three-match T20I series 1-0, with rain having a second say.Since the 2019 season, New Zealand has not lost an ODI at home, and they will want to continue their winning streak to win the series. 

The Indian bowling attack, which failed to defend a target of more than 300 runs in the first ODI, will need to be examined by Dhawan and interim coach VVS Laxman. Kuldeep Yadav, who hasn’t played a game yet on this tour, and Deepak Chahar could be options to replace Yuzvendra Chahal and Shardul Thakur, who didn’t play well with the ball. Rishabh Pant’s time is running out as well because he hasn’t established himself in the Indian batting order. Fans are unhappy that Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson has been left out of the starting XI because of Pant’s struggles. 

ALSO READ: NZ vs IND: Frustrated by rain, players aim to give their best in Christchurch decider

Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer recommended that Kuldeep Yadav replace Yuzvendra Chahal in India’s starting XI. Chahal, 32, had a difficult day in India’s seven-wicket loss to the Black Caps on Friday at Auckland’s Eden Park. The leg spinner did not take a wicket and gave up 67 runs in 10 overs. He was hit seven times with fours and a six by the powerful New Zealand players. Despite his absence from India’s selection for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh, there is growing demand for Samson to play. In the interim, Kane Williamson will be hoping to win the third one-day international and win a crucial series.

The rise of Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik in Indian cricket are comparable. After a successful IPL season, both were quickly promoted to Indian limited-overs teams. Malik made his debut for India in the T20I in June of this year against Ireland, and Arshdeep made his debut for India in England less than two weeks later. Arshdeep, from that point forward, has quickly ascended to be one of India’s go-to bowlers in the wake of surpassing veterans Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami in the T20 World Cup in Australia. 

Despite not being selected for the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup, Umran has once more returned to the mix shortly after the global event. 

Arshdeep and Umran are very different fast bowlers, despite their similar rise in Indian cricket. The left-armer can bowl accurate yorkers toward the end of the game and relies on swing with the new ball.Umran, on the other hand, bowls at speeds well above 150 kilometers per hour on a regular basis. Arshdeep and Umran, according to many former Indian cricketers, have the potential to become the core of India’s fast-bowling unit in the future. The talented young seamers made their ODI debuts together in the first game of the series against New Zealand in Auckland a few days ago, as fate would have it. 

Arshdeep’s ODI debut did not go as planned; in his 8.1 overs, the Punjab youth scored 68 runs without taking a wicket. However, Umran spit fire into the middle overs.Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell were bowled out by the J&K right-arm pacer, who reached speeds of 150 kilometers per hour at least four times.

ALSO READ: Waugh concerned about the busy schedule

“Umran k saath mahoul kafi accha rehta hai. Usko hasi mazak kaafi pasand hai. Aur jaha tak bowling ki baat hai, Mujhe benefit mil jata hai kyuki 155 se sidha 135 jab khelne ata hai batsman toh decieve ho jata hai toh kaafi pace se. (Things are quite enjoyable with Umran around. Like me, he also likes to crack jokes. As far as bowling is concerned, I get a lot of benefits [when he’s bowling at the other end] as batters get deceived playing 135 km/h after his 155 km/h deliveries). We enjoy a lot both on and off the field. We will try to keep this partnership going even off the field,”

Arshdeep said when asked about his partnership with Umran Malik in the press conference ahead of the third and final against New Zealand.

The 23-year-old said though ODIs and T20Is are largely similar, one has to be more patient and be ready to take the backseat in the 50-overs game.

“ODI is a long game, partnerships play a key role, just like in batting, in bowling also partnership is important. I check how my partner at the other end is bowling on the other end. If he’s bowling well, getting more out of the surface then I will try and stop the runs to help him out. At the end of the day, it’s a team sport. If I am attacking, my partner at the other end will go on the defensive.”

He concluded.

NZ vs IND, 2nd ODI: No result India 89 for 1 in 12.5 overs (Gill 45*, Suryakumar 34*, Henry 1-20) vs New Zealand

The Hamilton One-Day International was washed out after only 12.5 overs of play after a stop-start day.

Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav entertained during an uninterrupted 66-run partnership off 46 deliveries before the second rain interruption of the day ended all hopes of further action. Suryakumar Yadav scored 34 runs off 25 balls, and Shubman Gill scored 45 runs off 42 balls. When Kane Williamson inserted India, overcast skies loomed over Seddon Park and had already delayed the toss by 15 minutes. 

As Shikhar Dhawan made another subdued start to their innings, a drizzle began within the first three overs and became heavier in the fifth over after Gill had hit two boundaries.The players were called off the field by the officials, leaving India with no loss at 22. At that time, it was 2.53 p.m., and the game was reduced to 29 overs per side due to intermittent rain, which prevented a restart until 6.40 p.m. When Dhawan charged down to Tim Southee on the first ball after the restart, he made it clear what he wanted, but he fell when Matt Henry mishit a loft to midfield. 

Even though promoted Suryakumar struggled to get going at the other end, scoring only five runs off his first 11 balls, Gill slapped Henry for a six over fine leg in the eighth over. However, as soon as he ramped Lockie Ferguson off the ninth over’s final pitch, he picked up speed. Gill lofted Michael Bracewell inside out over cover as Williamson introduced spin in the subsequent over; Suryakumar hit his first six when Mitchell Santner came on for the 11th over, slog-sweeping the left-arm spinner over deep square leg. 

ALSO READ: Quicks With a Job on Hand in Australia for West Indies

After hitting Ferguson over midwicket and reverse-swatting Bracewell over backward point, that was the first of three sixes. Suryakumar hit Ferguson for four behind the wicket with what turned out to be the final ball of the game. At 7.21 p.m., play was stopped, and the match was called off 45 minutes later. The teams split points because of the washout, and New Zealand leads 1-0 going into the third ODI on Wednesday in Christchurch.

SL vs AFG, 1st ODI: Before the bowlers Fazalhaq Farooqi, Yamin Ahmadzai, and Gulbadin Naib ripped through Sri Lanka’s batting order, sharing nine wickets between them, Ibrahim Zadran struck 106, setting Afghanistan up for a commanding 294 for 8. Pathum Nissanka, who kept the score moving in the first overs while wickets fell around him, and Wanindu Hasaranga, who was in brilliant batting form even as he ran out of partners, provided some resistance for Sri Lanka. But the seamen from Afghanistan had caused too much damage. Sri Lanka had been thoroughly outplayed at home, so the victory was only 60 runs. They never seemed to be able to handle this huge chase. With only five games remaining in the Super League, Sri Lanka’s loss makes it even less likely that they will automatically qualify for the ODI World Cup next year. 

They currently sit 10th in the standings, with only the top eight qualifying. With 110 points (they are currently seventh) and a large number of games remaining, Afghanistan, on the other hand, make significant progress toward securing a spot in the World Cup.

Afghanistan had established a formidable foundation prior to the quicks’ destruction of Sri Lanka’s top leadership. 

Afghanistan were rarely troubled by Sri Lanka’s seamers on a Pallekele surface with decent pace and carry but little turn, at least in the first 40 overs. Afghanistan had half-century players like Gurbaz, who hit 53 off 55, and Rahmat, who hit 52 off 64, in addition to Ibrahim’s century. From 88 balls, the opening partnership was worth 84;118 out of 141 is the second-wicket stand. They were 202 for 8 at the end of 38 overs.Even though Najibullah Zadran’s 25-ball 42 with a six and five fours sent them flying into the final overs, they weren’t quite able to win. However, 295 was always going to be difficult to hit. Ibrahim’s innings was chanceless, whereas Gurbaz had a little luck, being caught at slip in the fifth over by Dhananjaya de Silva off Kasun Rajitha’s bowling. In the seventh over, he really got into it against Rajitha, crashing him square through the legside off successive deliveries. His first boundary was a sweetly struck drive that went wide of mid-off. 

Gurbaz was more forceful through the powerplay, yet Ibrahim was maybe better through the center overs, finding without risk singles generally around the wicket as he worked his direction scrupulously to a 62-ball fifty. The 24th over marked that milestone; Since the ninth, he had not added to his total of boundaries. Lahiru Kumara had one edge that flew past the goalkeeper when he was on 55, but the rest of the progression to triple digits was pretty smooth as well. He reached the milestone with a swivel-pulled four off Kumara on the 116th delivery he faced shortly after Rahmat, who had also accumulated well through the middle overs, left. In the 42nd over, he holed out against Maheesh Theekshana’s bowling. In the final five overs, Sri Lanka only gave up 31 runs and took five wickets, but they did manage to pull back a little. 

Rajitha was largely responsible for this, as his final three overs only cost 12 runs.However, in the first 45 minutes, Afghanistan had gained too much ground. From the very first over, the response was anxious. In the third over, Nissanka was given lbw but saved by a review. Kusal Mendis attempted to review Ahmadzai’s lbw decision against him in the following over but was unsuccessful. Farooqi bowled Dinesh Chandimal after he hit some nice boundaries in the seventh over. 

In the eleventh, De Silva was bowled by Gulbadin off the inside edge after hitting even better boundaries. Sri Lanka’s score of 75 for 3 was significantly higher than the required rate. When Gulbadin saw Asalanka slipping, the score was 90 for 4. Dasun Shanaka holed out to deep midwicket off the same bowler, making the score 137 for 5. Despite the fact that their required rate never reached unmanageable levels, they just kept losing wickets. Farooqi was bowled out for 85 off 83 balls by Nissanka, who edged him back to his stumps. A Farooqi yorker bowled Dhananjaya Lakshan shortly thereafter. It was a shame because Hasaranga was already going crazy. 

ALSO READ: NZ Move To 4th Spot In Cricket World Cup Super League Points Table

Hasaranga scored 22 runs in the 31st over, bowled by Mohammad Nabi. He hit a six over long off the first ball, faced a dot, and then hit four consecutive fours through the offside. Afghanistan kept getting wickets, but he kept finding the boundary. By the end, Hasaranga was turning down singles to keep the strike, but the tailenders didn’t do very well with the little balls they had to deal with. At the end of the 38th over, Hasaranga was bowled for 66 off 46, putting an end to Sri Lanka’s innings. Afghanistan had only lost one wicket by that point.

NZ vs IND, ODI: New Zealand 309 for 3 (Latham 145*, Williamson 94*, Malik 2-66) beat India 306 for 7 (Iyer 80, Dhawan 72, Gill 50, Ferguson 3-59, Southee 3-73) by seven wickets

In the first one-day international (ODI) that took place in Auckland on Friday, Tom Latham continued his excellent record against India by scoring 145 runs without a loss out of 104 balls, while Kane Williamson, as was to be expected, showed exceptional calmness by scoring 94 runs without a loss out of 98 balls. 

New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series thanks to their unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 221 runs off 165 balls to chase down India’s 306 for 7 with seven wickets and 17 balls remaining. New Zealand, number oneThe No. 1 team in the ICC’s rankings for ODIs has won their last 13 home matches without a loss. India scored a respectable total earlier thanks to half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan, and Shubman Gill as well as a cameo from Washington Sundar. 

Washington said at the break that he thought it was a par total, but in the end, it wasn’t

Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik were making their debuts in the format, so India’s bowling attack was inexperienced.The absence of a sixth bowler further hampered them, particularly as the chase got closer.

With seven wickets remaining, New Zealand needed 91 runs in the final 11 overs. India might have been in contention with a few quick wickets, but Latham decisively shifted the game in favor of New Zealand at that point.

Prior to that point, Shardul Thakur was 1 for 29 from seven overs.He went for 25 in the 40th over, and Latham hit four fours and one six. After almost every boundary, India changed the game, but Latham couldn’t be stopped. Additionally, Thakur assisted him by bowling short on numerous occasions and down the leg side. Latham was on 77 at the beginning of that over. He had scored his seventh ODI hundred in just 76 balls by the end.

The equation was reduced to 66 required balls from 60 by Latham’s assault. He had reverse-swept Yuzvendra Chahal behind the keeper with the back of the bat by the time New Zealand crossed the finish line. He was bowling, punching the fast bowlers through the covers and pulling them to wherever he liked.

Williamson’s signature dab to deep third yielded a four, which was also responsible for the winning runs.

After winning the toss in the morning, Williamson brought India into the game. Dhawan and Gill put India on the path to victory by scoring 124 runs in 23.1 overs, their fourth century partnership in nine innings.

The openers had started cautiously, playing 44 dots in the first ten overs with the new ball moving around. During this period, Gill likewise found some useful tasks to fulfill. He went after a full delivery from Matt Henry in the tenth over, but he ended up cutting it to deep third. After charging in and performing the dive, Lockie Ferguson only managed to get his fingers under the ball. But nothing stuck.

It was Dhawan who broke the shackles, hitting Ferguson for consecutive fours in the fifteenth over. He made his half-century off 63 balls three overs later when he hit two more fours off Adam Milne.

Mitchell Santner was hit by Gill for a pair of sixes as he got in on the action. He hit 63 balls to reach his half-century, but Ferguson hit straight to deep square-leg.Tim Southee took his 200th ODI wicket by slicing Dhawan to the backward point from the opposite end, becoming the fifth New Zealand bowler to do so.

Between overs 27 and 31, Iyer and Rishabh Pant managed only ten runs because of those two wickets, which slowed the scoring rate. When the batter failed to get the elevation on a ramp shot, Milne could have sent Iyer back, but Latham missed the opportunity when he jumped behind the stumps. At that point, Iyer had 11 out of 21 points; He won with 80 from 76.

In the 33rd over, Ferguson got rid of both Pant and Suryakumar Yadav, which forced Sanju Samson and Iyer to work together for a while.

Iyer, who was inconsistent at first, seemed to gain confidence as the innings went on. He and Samson seemed to like the extra pace, and they added 94 runs for the fifth wicket in 77 balls.Samson hit more on the ground, whereas Iyer preferred the aerial route.

Samson succumbed to a 38-ball 36 yet Iyer continued. Having raised his fifty off 56 balls, he went on a hard and fast assault. As India scored 96 in the final ten overs, Washington used everything from an on-the-up drive to a falling lap shot from the opposing end. This gave Washington the impression that India had the momentum going into the break.

Finn Allen and Devon Conway helped New Zealand get off to a good start in their chase, taking them to 33 for no loss after five overs. Two balls after Chahal dropped Allen at short midwicket, Thakur caught Allen behind, making the breakthrough.

Williamson started slowly once more. Before Chahal gave him a chance to break free by bowling a few short balls in his first over, the 15th of the innings, he was on 11 off 22 balls. They were promptly bowled by Williamson to the midwicket boundary.

Nevertheless, Malik took the wickets of Conway and Daryl Mitchell while bowling at a breakneck pace. In addition, he squared Williamson up and gave him an outside edge. However, his first slip was too wide, and it’s possible that he was there to prevent Williamson from playing his dab to deep third.

Additionally, Malik was the only bowler to challenge Latham. However, the Indian attack appeared toothless once the standoff between Williamson and Latham began to escalate.

Williamson primarily focused on rotating the strike, whereas Latham utilized the sweep shot to good effect against Chahal and Washington. With 54 balls, Williamson was the first to reach his half-century. Before turning it into a one-man show, Latham reached there in 51.

ALSO READ: Ashwin talks about Samson’s lack of opportunities

New Zealand had to play four frontline seamers alongside Santner due to a problem with James Neesham. That had affected New Zealand’s batting depth in some way, but Williamson and Latham made sure that had no effect on them at all.

Fans of Sanju Samson believed that the star cricketer would get a golden opportunity when he was included in India’s T20I and ODI squads for the New Zealand tour. Nonetheless, the wicketkeeper-hitter didn’t track down a spot in the playing XI in the T20I series. Samson’s fans expressed their displeasure on social media that he was not given a shot in the T20I series.

Now, India’s great spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has spoken about Samson’s lack of opportunities.

“For his (Sanju Samson) talent, if he doesn’t play, he will obviously get trended. I want Sanju Samson to get all the opportunities. In fact, I even said that I am looking forward to watching him play since he is in exceptional form at the moment and is playing superbly,”

Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

The veteran cricketer also talked about how Hardik Pandya, India’s captain for the T20I series against New Zealand, handled the subject of Samson’s selection nicely.

“He (Samson) is a very exciting player to watch but since we went with a different combination, as of now, we weren’t able to play him, said Hardik Pandya. In fact, the press asked him why he didn’t play Sanju Samson. Hardik Pandya replied in Thala Dhoni style. He said my room door will always be open, any player can come and have a conversation with me. It was very good to see him speak with such clarity l. In fact, I don’t know if he wanted to say that in Thala Dhoni style because we all know Hardik is super close to Thala Dhoni. And he had earlier said that he has learnt a lot from Thala Dhoni. He handled a tricky question that is always trending on social media very beautifully. So kudos to Hardik,”

Ashwin said.

ALSO READ: Glenn McGrath shares concerns over future of ODI

After the New Zealand tour, India play three ODIs and two Tests in Bangladesh.