Chennai | India A team defeated New Zealand A team in the first ODI with a good performance in bowling and batting. The team led by Malayalee player Sanju Samson won by seven wickets with 109 balls to spare. Shardul Thakur played a crucial role in the victory as he took four wickets for just 32 runs in 8.2 overs.
Batting first, the Kiwis’ innings was limited to 167 runs in 40.2 overs. In reply, India won by scoring 170 runs for the loss of three wickets in 31.5 overs. Michael Rippon scored a half-century (61) in the New Zealand batting line-up. Joe Walker scored an unbeaten 36 and Robert O’Donnell scored 22. India’s Kuldeep Sen took three wickets conceding only 30 runs in seven overs.
Opener Ruturaj Gaekwad scored 41 runs in the Indian batting line-up. Rajat Patidar scored 45 not out, Sanju Samson scored 29 not out and Rahul Tripathi scored 31 runs.