Ambati Rayudu, Kane Williamson
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Harbhajan Singh, the Indian National Cricket team off-spinner has hailed the middle-order as they post 252 runs after losing four wickets for 18 runs during the fifth ODI against New Zealand at Wellington. Meanwhile, the men in blues produced a much-needed effort after they were all out for 92 runs in the last outing.

However, India’s decision to bat first was questionable considering that there was swing on offer early on. New Zealand’s pace combo of Matt Henry and Trent Boult kept posing questions and eventually reaped rewards as India lost their openers early. While Henry castled Rohit Sharma’s timber, Shikhar Dhawan holed out to the third man off Trent Boult.

Middle-order comes good

And the middle-order had a role to play very early in the innings as Dhoni had to arrive at the crease as early as the seventh over after Shubman Gill failed to keep a drive down off Henry. However, Dhoni’s stay turned out to be a short one as well, cleaned up Boult shortly after surviving a leg-before review. Vijay Shankar, who was batting for the first time in the series showed intent as he rotated the strike on a consistent basis.

Hardik Pandya, hat-trick of sixes
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After the partnership crossed the fifty mark, Ambati Rayudu managed to break the shackles, with a four and a six off de Grandhomme in an over, but he was treading a risky line with his shot selections. He managed to survive, though, and put on 98 runs in partnership with Shankar before a mix-up ended in the latter’s run out for 45.

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Although Rayudu departed ten short of a century, Hardik Pandya’s 22-ball 45 ensured India crossed the 250-run mark. Following a good show from the middle-order, Harbhajan Singh shared high praise on the middle-order. And now, he expects some early breakthroughs from the new ball bowlers as India will aim to finish the series on a high.

18 for 4 to finish 252 it’s a very good recovery well done @RayuduAmbati @vijayshankar260 @JadhavKedar superb partnership and top hitting by @hardikpandya7 in the end.. need @MdShami11 @BhuviOfficial to take a couple of wickets with new ball now to win this one @BCCI @aajtak,” Harbhajan Singh tweeted.

 

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