India‘s field standards reached another high First ODI vs New Zealand at Vadodara January 11. At a stage where every run counts, Shreyas Iyer created a momentary bright glow in the depths. His keen awareness and athletic execution turned the momentum in India’s favour. Don’t stop Michael Bracewell stood out as one of the defining moments of the visitors’ innings.
IND vs NZ, 1st ODI: Shreyas Iyer’s razor-sharp strike to remove Michael Bracewell accelerates India
The decisive moments happened in the 43rd innings Harshit RanaNew Zealand is trying to hasten death. Rana gets a yorker length delivery Daryl Mitchell could only jam towards long by embarking on a risky second run. Bracewell responded immediately, knowing the importance of making the most of every opportunity in the final. Located near the border, Iyer immediately recognized the danger and entered without hesitation. Despite the quick arrival of the ball, his collection was clean and in one fluid movement he unleashed a powerful shot that was aimed straight at the striker’s end.
The shot was straight, fast and the arrow hit the stumps straight and Bracewell made no mistake. Not even a diver could save the captain of New Zealand, who was a few centimeters away from the crease. The crowd erupted as they confirmed what they had seen with the naked eye again, a perfect direct hit under pressure. It was the kind of dismissal that lifted the entire field unit, injecting fresh energy into the side. India felt the shift immediately, tightening the screws on the rest. This single act of brilliance not only pulled off a major blow but also sent a clear message about India’s intent on the field.
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Commitment level: @ShreyasIyer15 🔥
Coming back from injury and giving 💯 every moment on the field! 👏#INDvNZ1st ODI NOW LIVE 👉 https://t.co/WbMZTXL0By pic.twitter.com/oyFowZB4qH
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Also WATCH: IND vs NZ: Prasidh Krishna clears Mitchell Hay with a jaffa in the first ODI
IND vs NZ, 1st ODI: Daryl Mitchell’s counter-attack revives Blackcaps after stifling Indian bowlers
The first ODI in Vadodara saw New Zealand post a highly competitive 300/8 in 50 overs after India threatened to derail their innings in the middle stages. Opting to bowl for the first time at the brand new Kotambi Stadium, India initially struggled to find a breakthrough. Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls handled the new ball with relative ease.
The Kiwi openers put together a 117-run stand, with both knocks hitting well-constructed half-centuries that laid a solid foundation for a massive total. However, Rana’s introduction was a bust as the young pacer dropped both the openers in quick succession to bring India back into the contest. India’s spin twins, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadejathen tightened the screws, drying up the boundaries and causing a middle-order wobble that saw New Zealand slip from a position of strength to 237/6.
As seen in the favor of urgent homeowners, Daryl Mitchell He took charge of the situation with a counter-attack strike of 84. Mitchell’s innings was a masterclass in modern ODI batting as he often applied his legs to the spinners and hit two big sixes to keep the scoreboard at a healthy pace. Even partners like Bracewell et al Glenn Phillips fell at the other end, Mitchell remained the anchor and ensured the visitors crossed the 250-run mark.
Keepers rush at the death peak Muhammad Siraj and Prasidh Krishna briefly gave India hope of keeping the target under 280 but some late fireworks from the debutant Christian Clarke and Kyle Jamieson proved vital. In the final, New Zealand made 14 runs to reach exactly 300, a feat not often chased down on a historic debut at this venue. For India, the pace trio of Rana, Siraj and Krishna finished with two wickets each, but they would come to regret some costly overs at the end.
Also WATCH: IND vs NZ – Harshit Rana fools Henry Nicholls with a slower ball in the 1st ODI
