India defeated New Zealand by 90 runs in the second ODI at Mount Maunganui today to take a 2-nil lead in the five-match series. Opting to bat, Team India posted a formidable 324 for 4 in the stipulated 50 overs riding on a collective batting effort. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan shared 154 runs for the opening wicket, before skipper Virat Kohli, Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni powered India to a 300-plus total. Rohit top scored with 87, while Dhawan made 66.
Then, with the ball, the Men in Blue bundled out the Kiwis for 234 in 40.2 overs courtesy a splendid show by wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Kuldeep scalped 4 wickets, while Yuzvendra and paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar bagged two each. Rohit was adjudged man of the match. The third ODI will be played at the same venue on Monday.
Another brilliant performance by the Men in Blue. #TeamIndia wrap the second ODI, win by 90 runs. 2-0 🇮🇳🇮🇳 #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/2fTF9uQ5JM
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 26, 2019
New Zealand batsmen looked all at sea against India’s spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in their own backyard following a fiery spell from pacer Mohammad Shami in the opening ODI on Wednesday.
The hosts seemed rusty against a team coming off a historic tour of Australia and know beating an in-form India will be steep climb at the Bay Oval here.
Before the sun stopped play for more than 30 minutes in the series-opener, the Indian bowlers made merry with Kuldeep and Chahal sharing six wickets.
Both the wrist-spinners hunt in a pack and would be itching to have another go at the Black Caps.
India are yet to finalise their middle-order ahead of the World Cup but are unlikely to tinker much with the playing eleven after just one game.
Follow live updates & scores of 2nd ODI here: