India v New Zealand, 1st ODI: New Zealand Player Ratings

India continued to dominate the Black Caps as they registered a simple 6 wicket win in the opening ODI at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The New Zealanders once again looked listless and were rattled completely. It was a lop-sided contest by all means.

Batting first, New Zealand, were reduced to 108/8 by the 32nd over, recovered appreciably to post only 190 runs on the scoreboard. The Indian bowling attack lead by the furious duo of Umesh Yadav and Hardik Pandya ran through the visitors batting line-up.

The situation could have been worse for New Zealand had Tom Latham (79) and tail-ender Tim Southee (55) not rescued them with their gritty knocks which. The chase was a simple affair as India overhauled the target in 33.1 overs with six wickets in hands. Virat Kohli led from the front hitting a well-compiled 81 ball 85 run knock.

1. Martin Guptill – 2/10:

The attacking opener had a scratchy 11 ball stay at the start. Hardik Pandya’s opening over was too tough to handle for the right-hander. A series of sharp out swingers were constantly troubling him. He tried breaking free and was successful to a good extent, hitting three fours against him in the same over.

However, those were lucky boundaries which flew off the thick edges. Pandya and Dhoni, both didn’t mind it at all. There was an air of uncertainty. However, Pandya made an excellent comeback and squared up Guptill in the last over to get him caught at second slip.

Also read- India v New Zealand 1st ODI: India Player Ratings

2. Tom Latham – 9.5/10:

Tom Latham was the start with the bat today, making an unbeaten 79 from 98 balls. The opener weathered the opening spell with crisp drives and flicks and played a huge role on helping New Zealand recover from 106/8 and post 190 at the scoreboard.

It seemed that only he knew how to counter the Indian bowling today. The left-hander pocketed a unique record while trying to save New Zealand. Latham is the first NZ batsman to do so. Also, only nine batsmen have been able to vary their bat through the innings after opening the innings.

3. Kane Williamson (C):

After a 3-0 whitewash in the recently concluded three-Test series, Williamson anticipated some change in the fortune ahead of the ODI series. The limited overs contest was an opportunity for him to put behind the miserable test series which had spilt his reputation.

But, Williamson was unlucky today after he was dismissed for just 3 runs today. His performance was vital for the team today. The team was forced into a sticky position after the early departure of Guptill. He was required to hold the innings together and provide some stability. But, New Zealand were not lucky enough today.

4. Ross Taylor:

Ross Taylor’s poor form in the series extended by one more match today after the right-hander was dismissed for a golden duck today. It was actually a wrong time for a struggling batsman to come in. Umesh Yadav was looked menacing with the new ball and removed Skipper Kane Williamson with an out swing which was cut straight up in the air to Mishra at deep third man.

Taylor had a huge task at hand now. His team had already lost two of its top batsman. But, unfortunately, he couldn’t make any difference as he was removed off the very first delivery he faced. Yadav managed to shape the ball outside sharply to force Taylor nick one behind to MS Dhoni.

5. Luke Ronchi (wk):

Luke Ronchi’s had shown signs of adapting to the Indian conditions. His 80 run knock in the second innings of the 1st test at Kanpur was one of the best knocks played by a Kiwi batsman in the Test series.

A similar effort was required from him today when came into bat. The Black Caps were reduced to 4 wickets down for just 43. But, there was no special innings from him today as he also became a victim of Pandya superb bowling effort and was dismissed for just 4 runs. He could survive only three balls before falling.

The most disappointing part was the manner in which he was dismissed. he was done for pace by Pandya as his attempt to just nudged the ball ended up in him flicking the ball straight to Umesh at mid-on.

Also read- Virender Sehwag compares Virat Kohli to a bullet while praising his batting in the 1st ODI

6. Corey Anderson:

Corey Anderson comeback to the squad was expected to be a major boost for the Blackcaps. The attacking left-hander added firepower to the batting side. The bouncy Dharamshala track should have perfectly suited him today.

But, unfortunately, he also proved to be a dud in front of the Indian pace battery. Anderson had to bat a bit early after Guptill and Taylor. Kiwi fans would have hoped for a good knock from him.

The conditions suited his batting style and he could have played his natural aggressive game after settling down. However, the Yadav – Pandya pair along with Jasprit Bumrah made life tough for him. He could survive only 14 balls departed after making just 4 runs, falling to debutant Pandya in the 11th over.

7. James Neesham:

James Neesham had a mixed day. The left-handed batsman had a great opportunity to make a difference with the bat. But, neesham also fell cheaply. Much like Corey Anderson, Neesham could have added crucial runs to the scoreboard had he played calmly and stayed at the crease.

But, Neesham lost his foolishly after he scooped a simple return catch to part-timer Kedar Jadhav and plot hi own downfall. He came back and bowled functionally well to finish with figures of 1/40 from his 6 overs spell.

8. Mitchell Santner:

There was very less assistance to spinners today but left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner bowled in a very appreciable manner to end with economical figures of 0/18 in his 6 overs spell. The Indian batsmen chose to play Santner cautiously and didn’t choose to attack him.

The calm approach from the Indian and the low target gave him very little chance to make any impact. One aspect where he impressed more than hi bowling today was his fielding. he ran with great enthusiasm at the boundary ropes and saved a couple boundaries.

9. Tim Southee:

Southee will be remembered for his gritty batting efforts today. Latham, who was batting solidly from the other hand, needed someone to support him and play a part in rescuing the team.

Fortunately, there was one batsman apart from him today was in the mood to show some resistance. After having stumbled to 106 for 8, Tim Southee gave New Zealand some respectability to the score by making with a 45-ball 55 and forging a vital 71 runs 9th wicket stand.

He could not recreate the same magic with the ball and failed to create any impact. He gave away 57 runs in his 9 overs spell while failing completely to take any wicket.

Also read- India v New Zealand, 1st ODI – 5 Talking Points

10. Ish Sodhi:

Leg spinner Ish Sodhi could trouble the Indians much but had a fruitful day with the ball. Sodhi returned with impressive figures of 1/28 in his 6 overs spell. Although he could not make much difference today, this bowling spell might boost his confidence and prepare him to do well in the upcoming games.

His only success of the day came in the form of Manish Pandey whom he dismissed in the 20th over. The wicket was sort of  a gift to him as Pandey scooped an easy catch to Williamson while trying to whip the ball across the line over mid-wicket

11. Doug Bracewell:

Doug Bracewell also had a lukewarm day and finished with 1/47 to his name. The low target on the scoreboard meant that no Indian batsman was made to think of using an aggressive. This cut down his chances. T

The right arm fast bowler bowled nicely with the new ball and was able to remove Rohit Sharma in the 10th over, trapping him LBW. Sharma’s attempt to flick the ball towards the leg side failed after his nippy full-length delivery beat Sharma and hit him on the back pad right in front of the stumps.