Twitter Reactions: Middle-order led by Ambati Rayudu bails India out of trouble after a top-order collapse

The middle-order finally clicked for India in Wellington after yet another top-order collapse. They had to show some substance in swinging conditions else the repeat of Hamilton debacle was on the cards. Ambati Rayudu led the way along with Vijay Shankar after which Kedar Jadhav and Hardik Pandya made sure that the team crossed the 250-run mark which looked distant at one stage.

Rohit Sharma, in order to test the team’s batting in trying conditions, opted to bat first knowing that there is a possibility of another collapse. The fear turned true for the visitors as the skipper was the first to go back after he was castled by Matt Henry. Rohit could only muster a couple of runs during his painful 16-ball stay in the middle. Shikhar Dhawan was the next to go to a harmless delivery which Shubman Gill and MS Dhoni were also sent back quickly.

Dhoni got a peach from Trent Boult to leave India reeling at 18/4 in the 10th over. But then the duo of Ambati Rayudu and Vijay Shankar joined hands and bailed the team out of the trouble. A 98-run stand between the duo brought the Men in Blue to a situation from where they could’ve aimed for a score above 200.

But an ugly mix-up between Rayudu and Shankar led to the latter getting run-out. However, Rayudu continued to play his shots and upped the ante along with Kedar Jadhav. They added 74 runs in quick time and just whenn India’s number four was looking set for a century, he miscued a shot square of the wicket and was sent back on 90 by Henry. Jadhav to got a good delivery from the same bowler and again at 203/7 in the 46th over, it seemed that India will fall short of the competitive total.

Pandya blitz take India past 250

But Hardik Pandya was back in the squad and played his first innings of substance since Asia Cup. He smashed the New Zealand bowlers out of the park at will. Handing Todd Astle the ball in the 47th over was a mistake from Kane Williamson as Pandya went berserk in that over against the leggie to smash him for three sixes. Trent Boult also faced the similar treatment and so did Neesham.

However, Neesham had the final laugh as he got him off the last delivery of the penultimate over of the innings. Pandya had done his job until then by scoring a whirlwind 45 off just 22 balls with a solitary four and five massive sixes. India’s last two wickets fell quickly and they were bundled out for 252 runs with one ball to spare in their innings.

They will also need quick wickets upfront in the chase now as the pitch has flattened out and the ball will come on to the bat nicely in the second innings.

Here’s how Twitter reacted during the innings:

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