The ODI series of India against New Zealand has accumulated to a thrilling decider in Indore where India has been put in the tight spot against a comparatively inexperienced New Zealand team that is headed by Michael Bracewell. The visitors have challenged the hosts even though they are playing a second-string team making the series a toe to toe battle of 1:1.
It was not a comfortable win when India won the first ODI of the series in Vadodara. The hosts went across the line with only one over to reach a difficult target of 301. The innings was anchored by Virat Kohli whose fluent 93 put India under the unrelenting pressure of the disciplined bowling by New Zealand right to the end.
The second ODI at Rajkot, where the Black Caps strongly reacted to the first, was when India made a questionable decision to bowl second in a pitch, which obviously was more suited to first batting. Daryl Mitchell, who almost missed a century in the first opener, repented with a brilliant unbeatable 131 on 117 balls. His steady and dominant knock brought New Zealand to victory and had 15 balls to spare which made them increasingly confident with the series.
Even though the result is a draw, New Zealand have had what could be considered a departmental advantage. Their spinners have been very critical, both in the delivery of the ball and in the way their batters have responded to the spin attack by India. The spinners of India could not control themselves and Kuldeep Yadav, in particular, faced constant attack by Mitchell. However, the brakes were used well by Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and game debutant Jayden Richard Lennox, which was used to choke India in terms of scoring and induce errors.
But India will have been cheered by the place where the final will be. Their home in the list has been the Holkar stadium in Indore where they have won all the seven ODIs. With the past and the present coming together, it preconditions one of the exciting finale to the series.
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