MUMBAI: India beat New Zealand by a massive 117 runs in their warm-up game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk on Wednesday. Score
The day belonged to the India batters, who not only silenced their critics but also hit form putting on a mammoth 360/5 on board in their stipulated 50 overs.
Interestingly, the bulk of scoring was done by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had been out of form for long. He scored an impressive 108 not off just 64 balls to drive home the point that his 'off-form' was history.
The Kiwis tried hard and their openers Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill batted with gusto but eventually gave in the face of pressure of the target that continued to loom large throughout their innings.
Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill put on a fine 94 for the first wicket before R Ashwin got the man he was after.
A fine turner from the offie hit Guptill's glove and keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni took a fine catch to dismiss Guptill on 38. The Black Caps were 94-1 at the stage.
No sooner had Guptill departed that the other opener Brendon McCullum too followed. He got run out on 58. New Zealand were 118/2 now.
It was at this stage that pressure got to them as the Kiwis lost three wickets in quick succession to slump to 147/5. First Harbhajan Singh claimed Ross Taylor (5) then Piyush Chawla got the better of James Franklin (0) and then Harbhajan struck back to see off Jesse Ryder on 32.
From here on it was all easy for the India bowlers who got busy counting the Kiwi heads. And once the India spinners came to the party with Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla and part-timer Yuvraj Singh claiming two wickets each. Paceman Ashish Nehra claimed tail-enders Luke Woodcock and Kyle Mills to finish with two wickets.
New Zealand could only mange to put on a meagre 243 runs before getting out in the 44th over. (Online)
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