For all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, it was like the same kind of feeling when once again he brought India to very close to its victory against New Zealand. But he was unable to push them over the line in the second ODI at Eden Park as the kiwis had a wonderful victory of 22-runs in Auckland on Saturday.
New Zealand took an unassailable lead in the three-match series is the courtesy of this win. Like New Zealand, who had earlier won by 4 wickets the Hamilton ODI. India had reduced to 129/6 during the 274-run chase, with going past the 50-run mark there was only Shreyas Iyer.
He has established a 24-run partnership with Shardul Thakur and a 76-run stand with Navdeep Saini to get visitors closer to the goal.
Jadeja Crosses MS Dhoni And Kapil Dev’s Score
However, as India was dismissed for 251, Jadeja could not take them to a series-leveling win. Jadeja crossed the 50-run mark during the innings and created an Indian record in ODIs. While batting at number seven, this was his seventh half-century and he surpassed in the illustrious list former India captains MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev’s score.
Most 50+ scores at number 7 for India
7: Ravindra Jadeja
6: MS Dhoni
6: Kapil Dev
This is the first series win over India since 2014 for New Zealand.
India has won all the previous three series between the two teams (2016, 2017 and 2019). This is also India’s 423rd ODI loss which is the world’s highest. With 421 losses followed by Pakistan and at 413, Sri Lanka takes second place.
The series ‘ third and final match will be played on Tuesday at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. Having lost the series already, Virat Kohli and his troops must play in that encounter for pride before the caravan moves on to the longest format.
