Srinagar: Despite youngster Shubman Gill’s sensational double ton, it required some brilliant last over bowling from Shardul Thakur to hand India a hard fought win over resilient New Zealand in first ODI at Hyderabad on Wednesday.
India were cruising towards a win when Michael Bracewell launched a counter attack to bring Kiwis close to a sensational win. However, Shardul Thakur howled excellent last over to seal win for hosts. The over also included a brilliant Yorker that fetched a wicket.
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Earlier Shubman Gill slammed a brilliant double century to became the youngest batter to score a double ton. He hit 208 and helped India post a formidable total of 349-8 after an innings spanning 149 balls and featuring 19 fours and nine sixes. In reply, Michael Bracewell scored 140 off 78 balls before falling in the final over when he was pinned leg before wicket by Shardul Thakur.
In the final over, Shardul made a strong comeback after being hit for a six in the first ball of the over.
He took the decisive wicket of Bracewell, who almost took New Zealand to a famous win.
India looked to be coasting to victory with New Zealand in deep trouble at 131-6 while chasing 350.
Disciplined early spells by India fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj restricted New Zealand before Bracewell’s late fireworks gave them hope of a sensational win.
Bracewell smacked 12 fours and 10 sixes but finished on the losing side as Siraj was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 4-46.
With the win, India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.