Twitter Reacts as India Draws First Blood against New Zealand in Napier

The India National Cricket Team has drawn first blood in the ODI series against New Zealand. Led by Virat Kohli, the Men in Blue have won the opening match in Napier by eight wickets. The architects of the win are Kuldeep Yadav and Shikhar Dhawan. Though Kuldeep bagged four wickets in the first innings, Dhawan completed his 26th ODI fifty. Moreover, Mohammed Shami picked three wickets as well.

India takes an early lead in NZ ODIs

The visitors bowled first after losing the toss. Mohammed Shami, the new-ball bowler, created an initial impact, as he bagged two quick wickets inside the first powerplay. Later, Yuzvendra Chahal spun his web around the middle-order batsmen, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham; dismissing them in a caught and bowled manner.

Though Kane Williamson scored 64, no other batsmen stood tall. Kedar Jadhav got one wicket before Kuldeep ran through the tail. Courtesy his 4/39, India wrapped up NZ’s innings on 157.

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India, during their chase, began cautiously. The openers, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan didn’t lose their wicket until the lunch break interrupted. In the meantime, Dhawan also completed his 5000 ODI runs; becoming the second fastest Indian to achieve the feat.

Returning after the break, Bracewell got Sharma caught at the first slip on the second ball. Later, the India National Cricket Team captain, Virat Kohli joined Shikhar at the crease. The pair then stitched a 91-run partnership to put the team in the comfortable position. Ferguson then had the last laugh against Kohli, dismissing him on 45 off 59 balls. Rayudu and Dhawan then ensured India didn’t lose any more wickets and cross the winning line.

Meanwhile, there was something very unusual happened in the first ODI. Perhaps for the first time in cricket because of Sun, the game got delayed and the world reacted to the same.

Here is how the twitter reacted –

Just cruising. This is a powerful performance. Shami has locked his place for the World Cup. Didn't learn anything new about the batting. Not enough runs for that.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 23, 2019

Fast & furious! Congratulations @SDhawan25 & @MdShami11 for achieving milestones only champions can! Great going?#INDvsNZ

— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) January 23, 2019

Dhoni's instructions to the spinners from behind the stumps are a masterclass in reading batsmen. "Yeh aankh bandh karke rokega." Tells Kuldeep to come round the stumps and full. Bang goes the last wicket. #NZvIND

— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) January 23, 2019

That is a first for me. Game called off because the setting sun is in the batsman's eyes! Surely pitches have to be laid north-south!!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 23, 2019

https://twitter.com/SahilOberoi1/status/1087992486390390788

https://twitter.com/imsgshinde/status/1087992481109692416

2009- Rain Stops Play
2019- Sun Stops Play#10YearChallenge#INDvNZ

— Rishabh Sharma (@im_srishabh21) January 23, 2019

#NZvIND
Excellent start to the tour for Men in Blue. Forget the batting heavyweights Indian team, they're now equally good with the ball. Two wrist spinners and a bunch of quickies- a top combination indeed.
Kiwi's need to comeback strongly in order to go ahead in the series.

— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) January 23, 2019

At least 75% of India wishes Latham had taken that catch lol #NZvIND

— ptvool (@ptvool) January 23, 2019

https://twitter.com/IManish311/status/1087988854009798656

https://twitter.com/AniGuha/status/1087987415107756032