Kiwis 'stumped' yet again as Kohli, Dhoni guide India home

MS Dhoni was lightening quick behind the wickets as usual. Ronchi was stumped off Mishra. (Image: ESPNCricinfo)

When you go to someone’s place as a guest and they don’t even ask you for a glass of water. How would you feel? If you want to know, ask New Zealand team. India didn’t let New Zealand win even a single toss on this tour. But yes, toss is on luck and you shouldn’t talk about luck of the team which has Ross Taylor. Toss result and match result didn’t vary for NZ on this tour (except 2nd ODI). India chased the target comfortably by 7 wickets, thanks to the major contribution by Virat (154*), MSDhoni (80) and Stuart Binny (for not playing).

Indian chase didn’t start well, as they lost both their openers early (note: No Shikhar Dhawan). From now, Virat Kohli would be thinking to play as an opening batsman; as everytime he has to face more deliveries with the new ball than the openers. The “not so surprising” surprise came in the match when MS Dhoni stepped up at no.4. With many people questioning his form, MS Dhoni answered them in style. I am sure Dhoni wouldn’t have answered this good even in his Railway TC recruitment exam.

India winning without any contribution of Ross Taylor would be awkward. Indians fans and Kohli would be very thankful to Taylor for dropping him on 6. Kohli in his mind would have said “You’ve just dropped the Paytm ODI Trophy mate” *In Steve Waugh’s voice*. Everyone needs a boss like Ross Taylor, who gives DIWALI BONUS one week before Diwali. Don’t get surprised if you see Dhoni batting in the lower order again. As Manish Pandey finished the game in the penultimate over and didn’t take it to the last over.

The target could have been above 300 if New Zealand hadn’t followed “Collapsam Proteas Theory”. From 153/2 to 199/8 New Zealand totally bowled over by the magic of Kedar Jadhav. Kedar Jadhav as a bowler is nowadays more reliable than Kent RO water purifier, please make him the brand ambassador (sorry Hema Malini ji). The man with the golden arm, Kedar Jadhav took three wickets including Kane Williamson which broke the backbone of Kiwis. Tom Latham (61) scored the highest score for NZ. India should allow Latham to score fifty in next two games too, because whenever he scored a half century on this tour NZ lost (OMG fact).

NZ needed a comeback after collapse and guess what? The comeback king on Twitter Neesham gave them a good score to fight back. You know there are very less cricketers as inspiring as Umesh Yadav; his 18 runs innings in the last match gave confidence to Matt Henry who scored 39* useful runs for Kiwis. Before this, even Guptill and Ross Taylor scored over 15 runs, which forced Williamson to change his plans as it was out of his plan. Not only Williamson even scorers had to work more than they usually do; as Guptill, Taylor and Dhoni scored in this match.

(By @farzicricketer)