Highlights India vs New Zealand 2023, 2nd ODI: Bowlers, Rohit Sharma Hand IND Eight-wicket win in Raipur

In what was a clinical performance, India crushed world’s top-ranked ODI side New Zealand by eight wickets in Raipur to take 2-0 lead in the three-match series today. Rohit Sharma had a stutter at the toss when he comically forgot what he wanted to do but his decision to bowl first proved to be the right calls as his new ball bowlers left New Zealand in tatters midway through the 11th over. Batting first, the tourists suffered a horrific batting collapse losing their first five wickets for a mere 15 runs in 10.3 overs. It took a couple of brief partnerships with Glenn Phillips being the common thread for them to register a three-digit total. Michael Bracewell showed signs he was onto another rescue act when he struck a two successive fours off Shami before the bowler bounced him out on 22. Phillipes then tried to rebuild again, this time with Mitchell Santner and the two added 47 runs before Hardik Pandya bowled Santner on 27. Washington Sundar then took a couple of wickets in as many overs before New Zealand were skittled for 108 in 34.3 Overs. India captain Rohit then entertained the capacity crowd at the stadium with few delightful strokes as he struck a 47-ball half-century. Rohit fell on 51 while Virat Kohli was stumped cheaply on 11 before Shubman Gill sealed the win with a four, remaining unbeaten on 40. With series in the bag, India will eye another clean sweep when the two teams lock horns in Indore on Tuesday.

Shubman Gill seals the series win in style as he charges down the track and lifts the first delivery of the over from Mitchell Santner to mid-on for a four to overhaul the target of 109. India finish with 111/2 in 20.1 Overs for an eight-wicket win. And with a 2-0 lead, they have the series in the bag as well. Gill remains unbeaten on 40 off 53.

Ishan Kishan dealing in boundaries – brings out the reverse sweep off Michael Bracewell to direct the ball to deep point for four. India 107/2 in 20 Overs, chasing 109.

Ishan Kishan gets off the mark with a four which also brings up India’s 100 in 18.4 Overs. Score 102/2, chasing 109.

WICKET! Virat Kohli has been stumped on 11. He has started walking even as there’s been an umpire review to check if it’s out. Kohli had dragged his foot for a brief moment out of the popping crease after being beaten and Tom Latham quickly took the bails off. IND 98/2 in 18.1 Overs, chasing 109.

So the ball has been thrown to Michael Bracewell now. Can he take a couple of wickets here? Not in his first over at least as Shubman Gill decides he’s not going to allow him to settle – uses the depth of the crease to to pull the first delivery to midwicket for a four. And then slog-sweeps one to deep midwicket for four more. 8 runs from it. IND 98/1 in 18 Overs, chasing 109.

Virat Kohli wants to finish this early. He unfurls a magnificent straight drive off Henry Shipley to score his first four of the innings. And then later in the over, charges forward to pull it away to backward square leg region for four more. 11 runs in the over. IND 90/1 in 17 Overs, chasing 109.

Indi need to score exactly one run per over now. Virat Kohli has walked in next after the departure of Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill is batting on 24.

WICKET! This one kept low and surprised Rohit Sharma who starts walking back immediately after umpire raised the finger answering Henry Shipley’s loud appeal for LBW. Plumb, no need to review it either. Rohit knew it as he looks a tad disappointed for not having been able to finish the job. He scored 51 off 50. IND 72/1 in 14.2 Overs, chasing 109.

FIFTY! ODI Half-century no. 48 for India captain Rohit Sharma. Gets to the milestone with a single. This has been quite an entertaining innings from him. IND 71/0, chasing 109.

A  fine over from Blair Tickner this one. He got one to lift from an awkward length which left Shubman Gill surprised and took off after hitting the shoulder of his bat but the gully fielder couldn’t reach in time. Just 3 runs from it. IND 64/0 in 12 Overs, chasing 109.

Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner brought into the attack now. Rohit Sharma greets him with a four off the very first delivery – swept away to deep square leg region. Santner did induce an edge from the bat of Shubman Gill later in the over but the ball flew wide of the slip fielder for a streaky four. 9 runs from it. IND 61/0 in 11 Overs, chasing 109.

Well, right after that six to bring up India’s fifty, a boy rushed onto the field, hugged Rohit Sharma before the security could intervene. A bit of a hold up. n the play. 11 runs from the over of Blair Tickner. IND 52/0 in 11 Overs, chasing 109.

Blair Tickner bowls short and Rohit Sharma pulls it away for a four to midwicket. And then brings out an inside-out shot over extra cover for a six that takes the score past 50-run mark in 9.4 Overs.

So few runs scored in this over of Lockie Ferguson. He bowls full and wide to Rohit Sharma who thrashes it over point for a four – his fourth of the innings. This was right after a straight drive from Shubman Gill which would have gone for a four had Ferguson not got a hand to the ball. Gill though added three runs to his total. 8 from it take India to 41/0 in 9 Overs, chasing 109.

There’s absolutely no rush from either Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill to get to the target in quick time. They are converting chances to score boundaries when available otherwise happy to play dot balls. Blair Tickner introduced and he offer Rohit width to see the India captain cut it away for a four. IND 33/0 in 8 Overs, chasing 109.

Lockie Ferguson punished for overpitching. Shubman Gill is on it quickly as he drives it over covers for his second four of the innings. He timed another one perfectly but found the fielder. India 29/0 in 7 Overs, chasing 109.

Rohit Sharma with his hook shot – a short delivery from Lockie Ferguson dispatched with disdain by the India captain over fine leg for the first six of the match. 6 runs from the over. IND 24/0 in 5 Overs, chasing 109.

Shubman Gill guides one from Henry Shipley to the third man region for his first boundary. And then later, Rohit Sharma crashes one over covers for a four of his own. 11 runs from the over take India to 18/0 in 4 Overs, chasing 109.