'They are a dated ODI team' - Michael Vaughan slams India after loss in first ODI against New Zealand

India suffered a seven-wicket loss in the opening ODI clash against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday (November 25). Tom Latham and Kane Williamson notched up a 221-run unbeaten partnership to easily chase the 307-run target as the Indian bowlers struggled to make an impact. 

As for India, Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik made their ODI debuts under Shikhar Dhawan's captaincy. Shardul Thakur started as a third pace option with Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar leading the spin department. But India's decision to not play the sixth bowler proved very costly as the Kiwi batters dominated over the inexperienced Indian bowling attack throughout the innings.

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer praised Williamson and Latham for their remarkable knocks during New Zealand's chase, but he also pointed out India's costly decision of playing with just five bowlers.

"Well played @BLACKCAPS. Made 300 look like 270. Williamson all class as always but Latham stole the show. Not easy for an opener to move down the order and still be successful. India missed a trick by just playing 5 bowlers," Jaffer said in his tweet after the match.

You need at least 6 if not 7 bowling options: Michael Vaughan

With just five bowlers, the Indian team had no options to try other combinations against Williamson and Latham. Former England captain Michael Vaughan was quick to reply to Jaffer's tweet and highlighted that a team needs more than five bowling options while facing a top side like New Zealand.

"They are a dated ODI team. You need at least 6 if not 7 bowling options," Vaughan tweeted in his reply.

They are a dated ODI team .. you need at least 6 if not 7 bowling options .. https://t.co/UXsgWb2PvN

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 25, 2022

In fact, it was a surprise decision from the management to go with only five bowling options against a strong team like New Zealand, knowing the fact that the Blackcaps rank first in the current ICC ODI chart. New Zealand batters struggled initially but were quick to adapt to the conditions and showcased a masterclass.