IND vs NZ: Bracewell’s blistering ton goes in vain as Kiwis fail to chase 349 against India
As the no.1 ODI team New Zealand took on an a confident India in the 1st ODI in Hyderabad, the fans witnessed a run feast and two huge daddy hundreds at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium. Despite valiant efforts from Michael Bracewell with a record-breaking ton, the kiwis fell short by only 12 runs.
Chasing a mammoth target of 350 runs, the Tom Latham led New Zealand team faced a batting collapse which is never good especially when a team is chasing such a huge target. They were almost down and out as their top order failed miserably. The team was off to a shaky start and was reeling at 131/6.
Michael Bracewell nearly bring it home for NZ
However, with a 158-run partnership for the 7th wicket, Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner put on a counter attacking effort for the visitors to cause a sense of tension in the Indian ranks. Bracewell was the aggressor and played a record innings of 140 runs from 78 balls with 12 fours and 10 sixes.
This fiery innings was Bracewell’s second century in ODIs. Bracewell’s ton came from just 57 balls which is the joint fastest hundred against India in ODIs. Prior to him is James Fualkner and AB de Villiers who too smashed 57- ball hundreds back in 2013 and 2015 respectively, with Shahid Afridi ahead of the three with the fastest hundred against India.
His partner, Mitchell Santner played a handy knock of 57 runs from 45 balls which helped the Kiwis to take the game till the wire. With 20 runs to get from the last over along with Bracewell at the crease, it was a great chance for New Zealand to take a lead in the series.
But with only one wicket remaining, it seemed a little too much for the visitors. Shardul Thakur held his nerves in the last over and dismissed Bracewell in the last ball of the innings to seal the deal as India ended with a 12-run victory in the first ODI. Mohammad Siraj was the pick of bowlers from India with figures of 4/46 on a batting paradise.
Shubman Gill’s name etched in history
Earlier, India posted a huge total of 349/8 on the back of a brilliant double century by rising star Shubman Gill. He was unstoppable in his marathon innings of 208 runs which etched his names in the history books.
It came from just 149 balls with 19 fours and 9 sixes. He now finds his name in an elite list of double centurions in ODIs. Gill is only the fifth Indian to score a double century in ODIs with Tendulkar, Sehwag, Rohit and Ishan Kishan ahead of him. This also makes the stylish 23-year old only the eighth in the world to achieve the remarkable feat.
With his record-breaking innings, Gill surpassed Virat Kohli to become the fastest Indian to score 1000 runs in ODIs and was also awarded the man of the match for his match-winning 208 runs.
Bracewell counter attacks with a record breaking hundred
India might have taken the lead in the series, but credit must be given to New Zealand’s fighting spirit till the end. Bracewell who played a huge role in this, broke many records in his brilliant counter attacking innings. He smashed the fastest hundred against India in ODIs by a New Zealand batter.
Adding on, with his powerpack innings of 140, Bracewell, also scored the third fastest hundred by a Kiwi in ODIs which sadly was not enough.
The competitive spirit shown by both teams in the first match shows how tough the contest is going to be as the series progresses.
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