Dubai, Mar 9 (UNI) New Zealand set a target of 252 runs for India after posting 251/7 in their allotted 50 overs in the ongoing ODI at Dubai International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday. Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 53 and Daryl Mitchell’s 63 anchored the innings, while India bowlers, led by Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, ensured regular breakthroughs.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand got off to a steady start but lost opener Will Young early, trapped leg-before by Chakaravarthy for 15. Rachin Ravindra looked promising with a brisk 37 off 29 deliveries, including four boundaries and a six, before Kuldeep cleaned him up with a googly. Skipper Kane Williamson failed to capitalise, falling to Kuldeep for 11, leaving New Zealand struggling at 75/3.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham (14) was trapped leg-before by Ravindra Jadeja, and Glenn Phillips (34) was bowled by Chakaravarthy as India tightened their grip. Mitchell’s hard-fought 63 off 101 balls, studded with three fours, helped New Zealand recover, but his dismissal to Mohammed Shami in the 46th over halted momentum.
Bracewell, however, played a crucial knock, scoring an unbeaten innings, hitting two sixes and three fours, ensuring New Zealand reached a competitive total. Skipper Mitchell Santner (8) was run out in the final over, while Nathan Smith remained unbeaten on 0.
For India, Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep picked up two wickets each, while Shami and Jadeja accounted for one each. Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya remained wicketless.
Dropped catches cost India, with Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and Shami missing opportunities. The most notable was Gill’s spill at deep mid-wicket off Phillips.
New Zealand's innings saw some aggressive strokeplay, including four sixes—two by Bracewell, one each by Phillips and Ravindra. Their powerplay yielded 69 runs in the first 10 overs, setting up a foundation that was later consolidated by Mitchell and Bracewell.
India now requires 252 runs to win the final.
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