India v New Zealand, 2nd ODI – New Zealand Player Ratings

New Zealand, backed by a commendable bowling performance, overcame a late attacking cameo from Hardik Pandya, to win the 2nd ODI narrowly by six runs and level the five-match series 1-1. Kane Williamson starred with the bat with his fine 118 run knock and played the central role in New Zealand’s first victory of the tour. The bowlers later complimented his good work and made sure that they defended the total defying the challenge from Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya towards the end to eventually wrap up the match in their favour.

1.Martin Guptill – 3.5/10:

Opener Martin Guptill had a very unusual time last game. He failed in the batting department he was supposed to play a big role but surprised everyone by doing well with his part-time off-spin. The second ODI wasn’t anything different for him as far as the batting was concerned as he was dismissed for an unsatisfactory score once again.

Guptill was the first casualty yesterday for New Zealand after they were put into bat first by India. The right-hander was cleaned by a stunning out-swinger off the second delivery in the opening over by Umesh Yadav.

But, after disappointing with the bat, Guptill turned out to be the surprise element with the ball and chipped in two lower order wickets of Axar Patel and Amit Mishra in one single over later on in the evening to end with impressive 1/6. His over, however, was a goofy. He bowled 10 balls including four wides but New Zealand fans wouldn’t mind as by the end of his over, the visitors had inched closer towards a win.

2. Tom Latham – 5/10:

Tom Latham continued to impress in India by registering yet another appreciable knock. After the early loss of Guptill, Latham took charge with Williamson and made sure New Zealand quickly got onto the right track left-hander contributed 46 runs in the 120 run 2nd wicket partnership with his skipper.

Latham did not let the India’s new fast bowling duo Hardik Pandya and Umesh Yadav and successfully neutered them. The spinner also could not affect him much. Technique wise, he looked superior and mostly resorted to waiting for the bad deliveries to score the boundaries. He occasionally looked aggressive in patches during his stay and made most of the loose chances offered to him.

3. Kane Williamson – 9/10:

Skipper Kane Williamson provided a fresh new example of ‘Captain leading from the front’ during the last game. Williamson struck a fighting 118 runs knock studded with 14 fours and one six. Most of the New Zealand innings revolved around him. The skipper came in the middle in the first over itself and went on to support his team till the 43rd overs. Thanks to his knock, the Kiwis middle order had a perfect platform set to take advantage.

The right hander, who perhaps is the best batsman technique wise in the team, didn’t had an easy day though. While the Indians could not trouble him much with the ball for most part of the innings, the sweltering combination of heat and humidity at the venue sucked out all the energy from his body. Battling the condition was the bigger challenge for him and the skipper overcame it quite appreciably to hit a match winning knock.

4. Ross Taylor – 2/10:

Ross Taylor was unable to resurrect his ODI form after the experienced middle batsman once again failed to register a commendable knock. The last game was a golden opportunity for him to do something substantial. He walked in at a tension-free situation after the fall of Latham with New Zealand sitting comfortably sitting at 120/2 and a well-set Williamson for the company. There was nothing to worry about and he could have easily rallied along with Williamson. However, Taylor began playing too sluggishly and failed completely to gain momentum. The right hander tried to settle in first and consumed 42 balls for his 21 runs. The spinners spun a web around him and unfortunately, he failed to overcome it and was dismissed by Mishra in the 31st over.

5 Corey Anderson – 2/10:

Attacking southpaw Corey Anderson story was pretty similar to that of Ross Taylor; the only difference was he tried to attack before eventually falling. After the dismissal of Taylor, skipper Williamson now needed someone stable with him to take the innings forward. Anderson was the perfect option. He started off well initially and worked the ball well to support his skipper.

He also struck a couple of well-timed hits to the boundaries off the spinners. He didn’t mind playing dot ball in between. Together with Williamson, he put up 46 runs for the 4th wicket. But, just like Taylor, Anderson, too, failed to convert his start and was dismissed in the 41st over Mishra.

6. Luke Ronchi – 2/10:

Kane Williamson’s solid knock had set the perfect platform for the middle order and the lower middle order to come cash in on the opportunity and propel the total to a challenging level. However, the lower middle order starting with Luke Ronchi turned out to be complete failures with the bat. Ronchi, who arrived after the departure of Anderson, could contribute only 6 runs before getting dismissed by left-arm spinner Axar Patel. His hard sitting capabilities were much required for the batting side and it was a huge setback that he could not perform. But what was more frustrating was the timing of his dismissal which came just five balls after Williamson departed in the 43rd over.

7. Mitchell Santner – 6.5/10:

Mitchell Santner had a satisfying day with the ball, finishing with 1/49 in his ten over spell. The left arm spinner was instrumental in tying down the Indian batsman during the chase and helping the fast bowler maintain a strong grip over the proceedings.

The left arms spinner’s only success of the night was perhaps the biggest threat to his side – Virat Kohli. In the 12th over, a straighter and a quicker delivery towards the leg side forced the under-pressure Kohli to play a wrong shot and get caught behind by wicketkeeper Ronchi. Earlier in the day, Santner also had the opportunity to contribute with the bat but failed to make any difference.

8. Anton Devcich – 4/10:

Left arm spinning all-rounder did not give any worthy performance. The late slump in the New Zealand order meant that he was more required as a batman yesterday than as a bowler. The Indian bowlers were crawling back brilliantly into the game and after losing the likes of Anderson and Ronchi in the middle order, Kiwis hoped that the aggressive left-hander would bail out his team from trouble with a quick cameo. But, unfortunately, was unable to make any significant contribution, getting dismissed for just 7 runs. Devcich played a good supporting role with the ball, later on and bowled an economical spell of 0/48.

9. Tim Southee – 8/10:

Experience fast bowler Tim Southee was the most successful amongst the New Zealanders. The right arm seamer snapped 3/52 in his 9.3 overs spell. Southee was brought in as the first change, made a quick impact with the controversial wicket of Ajinkya Rahane. His next dismissal was the most important of the all – important MS Dhoni. The Indian skipper was well set, trying to take the game deep before delivering his knockout blow.

But, MS Dhoni’s tactic of stretching the game was foiled by Southee. In the 40th over, the fast bowler forced Mahi to push the ball too early and grabbed a brilliant low catch off his own bowling to dismiss him and deliver a huge blow to the chasing effort. The third and the last wicket of his spell brought the winning moment for the visitors after the Southee cleaned up Bumrah with a yorker.

10. Trent Boult – 8/10:

Trent Boult was at his miserly best last night, delivering a spell of 1/25 in his 10 overs. Much of the credit should go to him for the victory. It was due to his calculative bowling that the New Zealand was able to strangle the Indians and stay ahead of them all the time in the second innings. His only success of the day came in the form Rohit Sharma. The left armer made full use of the bounce on offer and made Sharma struggle for a brief period before making him depart.

11. Matt Henry – 6.5/10:

Matt Henry also bent his back and returned with a fantastic 1/51 and played an appreciable role in the victory. The right fast bowler, who normally relies on short pitches stuff, had a motivating reason to run fast with a good bounce on offer.

Henry’s only wicket of the day was of the crucial Kedar Jadhav who had grown into a threat with his steady 37 balls 41 run knock. He along with Ms Dhoni kept the hopes of the chase alive and it was quite clear that until and unless, one of them is dismissed the chances of New Zealand levelling the series are not going to be great.