India produced an excellent display to win their first warm up match against New Zealand at Kennington Oval, London by 45 runs via D/L method. After winning the toss, New Zealand batsmen were not able to cope with the Indian bowlers and were dismissed for a modest 189. The Indian team lost 3 wickets for
After winning the toss, the New Zealand captain Kane Williamson elected to bat. Martin Guptill and Luke Ronchi gave a quick fire start putting on 20 runs in 2.2 overs before Guptill was dismissed by Mohammed Shami. Luke Ronchi played with aggressive intent smashing the Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground.
When things were looking good for New Zealand, Kane Williamson and Neil Broom got out in successive balls. At the end of 10 overs, they were 70 for 3.
After the powerplay overs, Luke Ronchi completed his half century off 42 balls. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took the wicket of Corey Anderson to leave New Zealand in big trouble at 86 for 4. The Indian spin twin Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja bowled tight line and lengths which troubled the New Zealand bowlers. Luke Ronchi was dismissed for in the 21st over by Jadeja for well-made 66 in 63 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes.
Jimmy Neesham and Adam Milne put on 30 runs for the 8th wicket. The last wicket pair of Jimmy Neesham and Trent Boult tried to steady the innings with 23 runs. Jimmy Neesham remained not out on 46 in 46 balls with 6 fours. The Kiwis were bowled for 189 in 38.4 overs
Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked 3 wickets each while Ravindra took 2 wickets, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav took 1 wicket respectively. Hardik Pandya was expensive giving away 49 in 6 overs.
Chasing the target of 190, Shikhar Dhawan and Ajiyanka Rahane started on a positive note putting on 30 runs for the first wicket. Rahane was dismissed for 7 which meant India went at lunch on 30 for 1. After coming back from lunch Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli looked in good touch timing the ball very well. At the end of first 10 overs, India was 52 for 1.
Shikhar Dhawan was looking good before he was dismissed for 40 runs in 59 balls,with 5 fours ending a 68 runs partnership for the second wicket. Dinesh Karthik did not trouble the scorers as he dismissed for 0. Virat Kohli completed his half century in 52 balls while MS Dhoni looked in good touch scoring 17 in 21 balls. Before the rain came, India was 129 for 3 in 26 overs, 45 runs ahead of the score.
The biggest positives for India in the match were India’s bowling especially Mohammed Shami’s and Virat Kohli half century, Shikhar Dhawan.
India 129 for 3 in 26 overs ( Virat Kohli 52, Shikhar Dhawan 40, Jimmy Neesham 1/11) beat New Zealand 189 in 38.4 overs ( Luke Ronchi 66, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3/28, Mohammed Shami 3/47)
