New Zealand beat India by 10 runs in Super 8 opener

COLLECTED BY : RISHI KAPOOR

Victory eluded India by 10 runs in the first Super 8 match against New Zealand on Sunday at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori’s bowling figures of 4-20 and valuable 15 runs off just 5 balls awarded him the Man of the Match.

Earlier, Sreesanth made a tremendous effort to change the match result but it was too late to do the damage control. He made 19 runs to lessen the defeat margin. No batsmen on the other end could support him. Harbhajan Singh and RP Singh fell easy prey to Kiwis.

Indian momentum was halted by Kiwi bowlers by taking the vital wicket of MS Dhoni. Daniel Vettori’s terrific throw was rightly picked by Styris who finally knocked the wickets when Dhoni was well short of his ground. Before leaving to the pavilion he could add 24 runs off 24 balls.

Earlier, Yuvraj Singh was cheaply dismissed by Jeetan Patel. He gave a simple catch to Taylor. India lost another crucial wicket of Gautam Gambhir after providing the required momentum to the team. He added valuable 51 runs from just 33 balls before giving away a catch to McCullum on Daniel Vittori’s delivery.

Earlier, Daniel Vettori caught and bowled Robin Uthappa. He could not manage to score even a single run against New Zealand.

Just before that, firebrand Virender Sehwag’s fine innings ended when he hit a full toss and gave away a simple catch to Styris. He smashed 2 sixes and 6 fours to make 40 off just 17 balls. Jacob Oram took his crucial wicket for New Zealand.

Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir gave India just the right start to the Indian innings and exploded runs quickly and massively. India completed their first fifty runs in the 5th over.

Earlier, electrified Indian fielding could not restrict Kiwi willows to set a sporting target of 191 runs after getting all out at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg. The first innings of the opening Super 8 match was as thrilling as a close contest. Kiwis played superb shots and Indians showcased terrific fielding and bowling.

The last over brought in three run-outs in favour of India. MS Dhoni vigourously led the team and involved in all the three dramatic run-outs. Jeetan Patel was run out on duck.

McMillian too became the victim of MS Dhoni’s run out and departed in disgust after adding the most valuable 44 runs off just 35 balls. Dhoni’s quick throw picked by bowler RP Singh executed another run out and Shane Bond was shone the way back to the dressing room.

A twist in the drama started just with the first ball of the 20th over. RP Singh scalped the wicket of the Kiwi captain Daniel Vettori who quick fired 15 runs from just five balls.

Earlier, Kiwis’ willows executed fire works against India and left Indian bowlers helpless. Fielders too were mum as ball just knew the way to the boundary either flying in the air or kissing the ground. 18th and the 19th over of Kiwis’ innings showered 40 runs.