Team India, India tour of Bangladesh 2022
Team India after playing the first ODI against New Zealand (Credits: Twitter/BCCI)

Veteran India National Cricket Team left-handed opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who was India’s stand-in captain for New Zealand ODIs, has said that playing more in Asian conditions will help them prepare better for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which is set to be entirely held in India.

Shikhar Dhawan-led India faced a 0-1 ODI series defeat against Kane Williamson-led New Zealand. The Black Caps won the first ODI comfortably at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, November 25.

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India v New Zealand, NZ vs IND
Kane Williamson and Shikhar Dhawan before the start of the 3-match ODI series (Credits: Twitter)

Meanwhile, the second ODI at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday, November 27, and the third ODI at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Wednesday, November 30, were washed out due to rain. Notably, Rain played spoilsport in 4 out of 6 games in the series as the three-match T20I series had ended with India winning by 1-0.

Talking about third India vs New Zealand ODI, the Black Caps won the toss, opted to field first, and the Kiwi bowlers bowled out India for 219.

Chasing the target, New Zealand openers batted brilliantly and the Kiwis were at 104/1 in 18 overs, before rain interrupted the play.

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New Zealand were way ahead of the target as per the DLS method and they were in the driver’s seat to win the series 2-0. However, New Zealand needed to play two more overs to let the DLS target come into the picture. As the DLS target is considered only after the completion of 20 overs.

The bowling unit learnt about bowling the good length area more – Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan (Image Credits: Twitter)

Speaker at the post-match presentation ceremony, India captain Shikhar Dhawan said that the Indian bowlers learnt a lot on the New Zealand tour. He said:

“Absolutely, going to Bangladesh, hopefully the weather will be better there. We are a young unit. The bowling unit learnt about bowling the good length area more. We were short at times.”

He further talked about the upcoming Bangladesh tour, where senior India players are set to return, as well as the learnings from the New Zealand tour. He stated:

“All the seniors are going to be back in the side. More Asian wickets is a more practical journey to the World Cup for us. 

“Important to get the small things right – right lengths for the bowlers, batting close to the body in these conditions for the batters… these are the learnings.”

Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan. Pic Credits: Twitter.

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Sonanchal Gautam is the Assistant Content Manager at Cricketaddictor. He is a professional Wrestling and Hip-hop enthusiast.