ICC World Cup 2019: Warm-up Match 4, India vs New Zealand, Review – Dominant Kiwis give Men in Blue a reality check

New Zealand are off to a flying start in the World Cup 2019, with their bowlers and senior batsmen chipping in with crucial contributions. Trent Boult firstly stormed away with the new ball and later on, skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor’s partnership ensured the Blackcaps registered a convincing win against hot favourites India.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat first on a pitch that had so much to offer to the bowlers, Virat Kohli said the team was up for the challenge. It turned out to be a defying decision as the Indian top order didn’t manage to get past the Trent Boult threat early on in the innings. Boult with his first spell crippled the Indian batting order with three crucial strikes.

He removed Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul in the first six overs and the Kiwis were right on top after the powerplay. It seemed like Virat Kohli had got a good start, but he was dismissed by the unlikeliest of sources in Colin de Grandhomme. Hardik Pandya and MS Dhoni hung in there for a while trying to resurrect their innings.

They added 38 runs for the fifth wicket before Pandya’s cameo came to an end. Dinesh Karthik and MS Dhoni soon followed the suit leaving India reeling at 91/7, staring at a humiliating first innings score. Ravindra Jadeja though had other ideas and stitched a fantastic partnership with Kuldeep Yadav to help India gain a respectable total.

Jadeja registered a 50-ball 54 and added 52 runs for the 9th wicket to help India finish their innings at 179 in 39.2 overs. Trent Boult started the onslaught and completed it with the wicket of Kuldeep Yadav, chipping in with figures of 4/33. Jimmy Neesham too had a good outing, registering a decent 3/26.

Taylor and Williamson ensure there’s no drama

Jasprit Bumrah struck early for India and built some hope for the 2-time champions. Although Martin Guptill did get some boundaries, he went for one shot too many and was dismissed by Hardik Pandya. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor stitched in a fantastic partnership from there on to take all the excitement away from the Indian camp.

This is where experience comes into picture big time. The Indian bowlers were getting decent purchase off the track, but Williamson and Taylor stood their ground and picked the odd runs with no urgency. The required rate was never going to be a concern as the target wasn’t very gigantic and their approach worked out.

Apart from Dinesh Karthik dropping a sitter of Ross Taylor, the duo gave very little chances to the Indian bowlers. Williamson completed a fifty in the 23rd over whilst his partner got there in the 27th. Although the Kiwi skipper fell in Yuzvendra Chahal’s trap, Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls stood strong till the end. Taylor was dismissed with just one more run to get, but that never was going to stop the Kiwis from registering a morale-boosting win.

Brief Scores

India: 179 all out in 39.2 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 54, Hardik Pandya 30; Trent Boult 4/33, Jimmy Neesham 3/26)

New Zealand: 180/4 in 37.1 overs (Kane Williamson 67, Ross Taylor 71)

Result: New Zealand won by 6 wickets