New Zealand Captain Reflects on Close ODI Loss to India
Bracewell's Thoughts on the Match
Michael Bracewell, the captain of New Zealand, shared his insights following his team's narrow defeat to India in the first ODI. He expressed pride in their performance, noting that they managed to push the world's top-ranked team to the final over. Bracewell suggested that scoring between 320 and 330 runs could have altered the match's outcome. He commended his batting lineup, highlighting their talent and the significance of pivotal moments during the game.
India's Victory in Vadodara
In a thrilling encounter on Sunday, India triumphed over New Zealand by four wickets in Vadodara. The Indian team faced a setback when Virat Kohli was dismissed for 93 runs, but KL Rahul's composed innings of 29 not out off 21 balls helped secure the win in the penultimate over.
Bracewell's Pride in Team Effort
"We can take pride in our performance. Bringing the number one team in the world to the last over is commendable. If we had managed to score 320-330 runs, it might have made a difference. I wish we could have bowled 15 overs, as he was exceptional. Our batting unit has some outstanding players who have consistently performed. Had we scored a few more runs, the result could have been different. We often discuss match-changing moments, and if we had capitalized on those, the outcome might have varied," Bracewell remarked.
India's Chase and Key Performances
India executed a remarkable chase, reaching a total of 301 runs in the second last over, with Rahul and Washington Sundar forming a crucial partnership to clinch the victory by four wickets. Kyle Jamieson stood out for New Zealand, taking three wickets, including the key dismissals of Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shreyas Iyer within just seven balls, bringing New Zealand back into contention.
Match Summary
Brief score: New Zealand 300/8 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 84, Henry Nicholls 62; Mohammed Siraj 2/40) vs India 306/6 in 49 overs (Virat Kohli 93, Shubman Gill 56; Kyle Jamieson 4/41).