‘Abhi bhi time hai teesra ODI khel lo’ – Fans ecstatic as India annihilate New Zealand in 2nd ODI to take unassailable 2-0 lead

India and New Zealand locked horns for the second ODI of the three-match series in Raipur. Ahead of the game, the Kiwis needed to win the game to keep the series alive. After all, they agonizingly lost the first game by just 12 runs despite the best efforts of Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner. Meanwhile, in the game, India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Notably, he took a few seconds to decide whether to bat or bowl. After the Mumbaikar won the toss, he closed his eyes for a few seconds to try and remember what the team had decided to do in the game. However, the team had no confusion, especially the bowlers on what they needed to do on the green surface at the venue.

After electing to bowl first, the Men In Blue raised hell as they picked five wickets for 15 runs inside the first 10 overs. The likes of Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, and Hardik Pandya shared five wickets among themselves. At 15/5, it looked like the record for the lowest team total in ODI cricket (Zimbabwe 35 all-out) would be broken.

However, the lower-order batting didn’t let that happen. The likes of Bracewell and Glenn Phillips stitched a partnership of 51 runs. However, when it looked like the former would take the team into a good position, he was taken out by Shami’s bouncer. After this, Mitchell Santner and Phillips added another 47 runs for the seventh wicket. After the former got out, the team was bundled out for 108 runs.

For India, Shami took three wickets while Washington Sundar and Hardik Pandya took two each. On the other hand, Siraj, Thakur, and Kuldeep Yadav took one each.

India chased down the target in no time

In reply, the Rohit Sharma-led side had a contrasting start to New Zealand. Openers, Shubman Gill and Sharma put together 72 runs in 14.2 overs. The latter scored a brisk 51 off 50 balls on a wicket that had something for the seamers. India won the game by eight wickets with Gill hitting the winning runs.

This is how Twitter reacted

What a spectacular show Team India!
Indian team stole all hearts by bagging such a smooth victory against Team New Zealand by 8 wickets.

More power to our champions…@BCCI #CSCS #GoTeamCG#INDvNZ #ODI#chhattisgarh #raipur#indiancricket #teamindia pic.twitter.com/PGcIGJ4Rg5

— Chhattisgarh Cricket (@CricketCSCS) January 21, 2023

abhi bhi time he, teesra ODI bhi khel lo #INDvNZ

— Manan Dave (@davemanan247) January 21, 2023

https://twitter.com/baatein_dilse/status/1616782694238810116?s=20

https://twitter.com/Yashrbh/status/1616782663418892292?s=20

https://twitter.com/WasimJaffer14/status/1616781904803680257?s=20

India continues their domination at home in 2023. #INDvNZ

— Dhruvi Mendpara (@_dhruvirat718_) January 21, 2023

https://twitter.com/YouBearsssssss/status/1616783621573967872?s=20

This is called, "Real Domination" from India. 22nd series win for India !! Congratulations. #IndianCricketTeam #INDvNZ

— Ankit (@i_m_born2fly) January 21, 2023

As expected, India have chased down 109 in 20 overs to win the #INDvNZ ODI series 2-0 with 1 more game to play. Top effort by our bowlers today @MdShami11 @Sundarwashi5 @mdsirajofficial @hardikpandya7 @imkuldeep18

— Nikhil Ram (@Nikhil_Rams) January 21, 2023

Rohit surpasses Ganguly's tally of ODI runs in Wins.

11157 – Sachin Tendulkar
9173 – Virat Kohli
6822 – Rohit Sharma*
6818 – Sourav Ganguly#RohitSharma | #INDvNZ

— Cricbaba (@thecricbaba) January 21, 2023