India got off to a feisty start against the number one ODI team of the world as they battled hard to get to the end of the contest and eventually managed to prise out the desired upshot as Shardul Thakur got the better of a roaring Michael Bracewell with a sublime toe-crusher that beat his bat and went on to smash his pads plumb in front of the stumps.
Amongst the batters it was a clinical show of attacking intent and domination that started with the Indian captain and eventually passed onto the next big thing in the Indian circuit, Shubman Gill, the man who was completely untenable against a marauding New Zealand bowling unit.
The Indian skipper was pretty ecstatic with the Indian display against the mighty Blackcaps but at the same time heaped praises on the electric turnaround of affairs from a spot where New Zealand was completely down and out. Talking in the post-match awards show, Rohit highlighted the entire transition that India underwent throughout the span of the contest.
Talking about Bracewell’s late charge and India clawing their way back, the Indian captain said, “To be honest, the way Bracewell was batting, we knew it was going to be a challenge. It was such clean striking. After we had them five down, we knew we were in the game unless we slip up. And that’s what happened. But we always knew the threat of bowling under lights and with the dew like I said at the toss, which is the kind of challenge we wanted.”
He then shifted his focus to Shubman Gill’s electric batting, adding, “Gill’s batting is fanastic, clean striking and no aerial shots. We wanted to give him a run before the SL series the kind of form he was in. He’s such a free-flowing batsman.”
Rohit concluded by talking about India’s best bowling weapon at the moment, Mohammed Siraj, stating, “Siraj has been brilliant, of late even in the other two formats. He’s gone from strength to strength, running hard and clear about what he wants to do. He’s not afraid to use the short ball as well which is exciting.”
