Mar 08 2009
Cricket: India wins despite NZ resistance
India in New Zealand ODI Series - 3rd ODI
Played at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, on 08 March 2009 - Day/Night
India posted a huge total of 392 runs for New Zealand to chase, thanks to a magnificent innings from Sachin Tendulkar. The huge total did not distract the New Zealand openers. Ryder and McCullum played exactly the way you should approach huge totals. The opening pair waited for the bad balls to come and they came their way.
Praveen Kumar bowled a decent first spell. But, in spite of that, the New Zealand openers blazed away. They put on 166 runs for the first wicket in 22 overs, at 7.55 runs an over. India came back into the game through two run-outs and clawed their way back. New Zealand lost quick wickets and suddenly the score read 251 for 8 at the end of 38 overs.
If you thought the match would be over in a flash, Mills and Southee had other ideas. They caused few scares to the Indian team by putting up an excellent partnership. The partnership lasted only for 7 overs, but brought in 83 runs.
Munaf Patel was the weakest link in the Indian bowling line-up and he was removed from the bowling attack after he bowled two beamers in a single over. That looked like a lucky brake for the Indians. Yusuf Pathan, who came in to complete the over, removed Kyle Mills. New Zealand was finally dismissed for 334 runs in 45.1 overs.
The victory margin of 58 runs did not really reflect how close New Zealand came. India might be happy that they cannot lose the series from now on with a 2-0 lead. But, they have worries for the next match. Can Tendulkar recover in time for the next match? Will Munaf Patel continue as the third seamer? Is Ishant ready for the next match? If not, who is likely to come in as the third seamer?
Time to think!
