After any ODI Series ends, most like to write about the Team who wins the series. However, for a change, I am writing about the team who lost the series. It was New Zealand who came very close to winning their first bilateral ODI series in India after they lost the final ODI at Kanpur by just 6 Runs on last Sunday. Many Indian supporters felt bad for Williamson & his team who dished out brilliant performance throughout the 3 match series.
After a surprise win in 1st ODI at Mumbai, Kiwis succumbed to the brilliant Indian all-around performance in 2nd ODI at Pune. This generated lot of interest for the third ODI at Kanpur which was like a Final. After India scored 337 odd runs batting first not many gave chance to Kiwis of even coming close to the Indian Target. However, New Zealand led by brilliant opening on-slot by Colin Munro & captain?s innings by Williamson was always in contention. But when Williamson got out it seemed that New Zealand will cave in the final Overs.
But a brilliant batting display by New Zealand?s wonder boy Tom Latham & Henry Nicholls almost won the game for Kiwis. But a sensible death over bowling by Jasprit Bhumrah swung the game in India?s favour in last few overs & India won the match by a margin of 6 runs. Even though it was India who had won the match & series there were lots of praises & appreciation for Kiwis for the fight they had shown in the series.
This was Team India?s record-breaking 7th bilateral ODI series win in a row. But apart from New Zealand, no other Team had given India a run for their money. Much strong & fancied teams like England & Australia who toured India prior to Kiwis were not able to give a fight to Indians. England lost first two ODIs of the 3 match ODI series last year & Aussies lost first three matches of the 5 match series handling India a series win with a margin of ?4-1?. Prior to this India had defeated Windies ?3-1? and Sri Lanka ?5-0? just a few months back in their own backyard.
This was the first time since last 7 bilateral series that India was seriously challenged by the opposition. Kiwis who are not that dangerous on paper as mighty Australians & England but gave India a run for their money throughout the 3 match ODI series. Players like Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Trent Bolt has impressed one & all in the ODI Series. But the real star of the series for New Zealand was 25 yrs old swash-buckling wicket-keeper batsman Tom Latham. The way he batted against the Indian Spinners was really admirable, to say the least.
With 3 match T20 series starting tomorrow at Delhi, cricket fans are in for another close contest between the two teams. Well, New Zealand is the only Team which India has never beaten in T20 International. So work ahead for ?Team India? in 3 match series which begins this Wednesday at iconic Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.