HYDERABAD: After scripting a fairytale-like series win in Pakistan recently, New Zealand appear to have carried the luck with them across the Wagah Border as they almost managed an improbable triumph in the very first ODI of the three-match series against India.
Going after 350 for triumph, the Kiwis fell 13 short as they ended up at 337 with Michael Bracewell scaring the Indians with his 140 in 78 balls (4x12, 6x10) on Wednesday.While Shubman Gill blazed a double century under the afternoon sun, Bracewell took the fight to the opposition in the night, striking his 2nd ODI century.
The very first one an unbeaten 127 versus Ireland was in an effective 300 plus chase.
Australian Glenn Maxwell is the only other batter at No.
7-11 to score a century in a 300-plus successful chase in ODIs.
With Mitchell Santner in tow, Bracewell caught the Indians uninformed after being decreased to 131 for 6 in the 29th over.
The Kiwis required 219 off 21 overs with four wickets in hand and no one gave them an opportunity, however the duo released into the Indian attack and runs began to stream at a constant speed.
At the end of the 45th over, New Zealand were 291 for 6 and needed 59 off 30 balls.Rohit Sharma tossed the ball to Mohd Siraj, who had just one over left, and the Hyderabadi had Santner (57) captured by Suryakumar Yadav off the fourth ball to end a bold 162-run stand.
Siraj followed it up by castling Henry Shipley (0 ).
Siraj ended with his 2nd successive four-wicket haul (4/46).
This is the best bowling figure on this ground, removing Umesh Yadavs 4 for 53 against Sri Lanka in 2014.
Hardik Pandya conceded simply 4 in the 49th over and Shardul Thakur caught Michael leg before off the second ball of the last over with the visitors needing 13 for victory.Earlier, it was 23-year-old Gill who stole the limelight from his more renowned teammates like Rohit and Virat Kohli.
Riding on Gills 149-ball 208 (4x19, 6x9), India coasted to a big 349 for 8.
In the process, Gill not only sealed his position at the top of the order however likewise guaranteed himself of a place worldwide Cup team later on in the year.
Gill took his time to calm down even as Rohit did the scoring in their 60-run first wicket collaboration but as the sun set, Gill exploded.
He struck six sixes in the 48th and 49th overs to take India to an impregnable position.
By the way, Gill got his half-century with a six, reached 99 with his second 6 and moved from 147 to 153 with the third one.
He moved from 182 to 200 with sixes off three consecutive balls.Rohit (34; 38b, 4x,4, 6x2) didnt last long as his attempt to hit a Blair Tickner shipment over his head, resulted in a mishit that was gobbled up by Daryl Mitchell at mid-on.
Santner, who was caused in the ninth over, returned Kohli (8) in the 16th over to leave India at 88 for two.
Ishan Kishan (5) too fell cheaply however Gill and Suryakumar Yadav steadied the innings.
Gill maximized the reprieve he obtained from Tom Latham off Bracewell when he was on 45.
He moved from 46 to 52 with his first 6 and there was no reversing thereafter.
Gill kept pace with SKY as the duo added 65 for the 4th wicket prior to the latter fell for 31.
Gill then struck his 2nd six and stole a single to reach the desired three-figure mark.