India's comprehensive victory over New Zealand marked a historic moment, as they defeated a team that had recently been a formidable challenge in their ODI encounters. It was India's sixth consecutive win against New Zealand, a side that had often proved to be a "bogey team" for them. This performance not only secured India’s top spot in their group but also saw Varun Chakravarthy rise to the occasion with a match-winning five-wicket haul. His redemption came on a pitch that had earlier seen him struggle against Pakistan in 2022, signaling the resurgence of a bowler whose international career had previously faced setbacks.
The match, which unfolded at a venue where traditional ODI tactics were evident, was defined by a balanced display of seam and spin bowling. India, having posted a competitive total of 249, proved their mettle by exploiting the conditions expertly, turning what initially seemed like a modest score into an unassailable target. With this victory, India now prepares for a semi-final clash against Australia, while New Zealand, along with South Africa, heads to Pakistan for their semi-final contest.
The First Innings: India’s Controlled Approach
The match began with conditions favorable to seamers, as the ball moved both in the air and off the pitch during the first innings. This swing and seam movement provided ample opportunity for the pacers to capitalize early. India's innings, however, was marked by a period of consolidation after Matt Henry's exceptional seam bowling reduced them to a fragile 30 for 3. Henry's five-wicket haul and the disciplined performance from New Zealand’s seamers—particularly with the ball swinging for Kyle Jamieson—put India on the back foot. The Indian batsmen struggled to find rhythm early on, with even the usually dependable Virat Kohli falling victim to a spectacular catch by Glenn Phillips.
Yet, it was Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel who anchored the innings and demonstrated the virtues of traditional, patient ODI batting. While Iyer initially struggled to get going, he showed remarkable restraint, adopting a defensive approach for the first 63 balls. His innings was the epitome of measured aggression, slowly building momentum. Patel, playing a crucial role as an all-rounder, provided stability with a composed 42 off 61 balls. The two added 98 runs for the fourth wicket, despite going 51 balls without a boundary—a testament to their discipline and the difficult conditions.
While India's top order crumbled, Iyer and Patel's partnership ensured the innings remained relevant. Their patience was evident in their ability to rotate the strike effectively and to pick off singles, avoiding rash shots. The duo showed that playing risk-free cricket, without taking undue chances, was often the best way to build a challenging total on a difficult pitch.
India's lower order, led by Hardik Pandya (45 off 45 balls), ensured that India reached 249, a total that, while not overwhelming, was made more challenging due to the slowing pitch and the increasing grip for spinners. Pandya's quickfire innings, although not explosive, was vital in lifting India’s total from a precarious position.
New Zealand’s Chase: Spinners Dominate as India Tightens the Noose
New Zealand’s chase started with promise, but the Indian spinners, who were critical in the middle overs, systematically broke their resistance. The introduction of spin early in the second innings, particularly from Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakravarthy, soon put New Zealand on the back foot. The surface, which had already begun to grip, favored the spinners as India bowled 29 overs of spin in the middle phase. New Zealand found it difficult to counter the precision and variations of India’s spinners.
The turning point in the chase came when Jadeja bowled an exceptional delivery to dismiss Tom Latham. The ball pitched on the reverse-sweep line and turned sharply to hit the stumps, marking the beginning of New Zealand’s collapse. With India’s spinners in full control, the required rate climbed steadily, and wickets began to tumble.
India's bowlers continued to apply relentless pressure. Kuldeep Yadav removed Daryl Mitchell with an unplayable delivery that narrowly missed Mitchell’s inside edge, a ball that perfectly exemplified the challenges posed by India’s wrist spinners. As the required rate climbed to six an over by the 23rd over, the New Zealand batsmen were forced to take greater risks. However, the pressure exerted by the Indian spinners left little room for mistakes.
Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, was left with the daunting task of holding the innings together. His 80, although technically sound, came at a slow pace, reflecting the challenging conditions and the constant pressure created by the Indian bowlers. The slow rate of scoring left New Zealand’s chase vulnerable, with the asking rate creeping up with every passing over.
Chakravarthy’s Redemption: A Five-Wicket Haul to Seal the Victory
The breakthrough moments came from Varun Chakravarthy, who, after a modest start to his international career, delivered a match-winning performance. Chakravarthy’s variations were the key to New Zealand's downfall. He used a variety of deliveries, including the legbreak and the wrong’un, and kept the New Zealand batsmen guessing with his subtle seam changes. He took two crucial wickets in quick succession, including that of Mitchell Santner, who fell to a medium-paced cross-seam delivery. The ball, bowled at a pace of 113 km/h, shattered Santner's stumps, bringing the game closer to its conclusion.
As the chase continued to unravel, Williamson, despite his efforts, was eventually dismissed by Axar Patel, who bowled him with a straight delivery. The asking rate was now nine runs per over, and with New Zealand's middle and lower order crumbling, the game seemed all but over. Chakravarthy returned to clean up the tail, completing his five-wicket haul and further cementing his place as the match's standout performer.
The Tactical Masterstroke: India’s Spin-Bowling Triumph
India's strategy of relying heavily on spin proved to be a masterstroke, especially given the nature of the pitch and the lack of dew. While pacers like Pandya and Shami provided initial breakthroughs, it was the spinners who took control, tightening the noose around New Zealand’s batters. Jadeja, Yadav, and Chakravarthy bowled a total of 37.3 overs between them, claiming nine wickets for just 166 runs. The performance was a marked improvement from earlier matches, where India’s spinners had conceded runs at a higher rate.
Chakravarthy’s redemption arc was one of the defining stories of the match. Having struggled in past encounters, including his disappointing performance against Pakistan, he delivered a standout performance when it mattered most. His tactical use of different deliveries, including the scrambled seam and the straight seam for different variations, made him difficult for the New Zealand batsmen to read. The key dismissals of key batters like Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, and Kane Williamson showed his growing influence on international cricket.
Conclusion: A Comprehensive Team Effort
India’s victory was a result of a collective team effort, with contributions from the top order, middle order, and the spinners. Despite the early setbacks with the bat, the calm and composed innings from Iyer and Patel provided the necessary foundation for a competitive total. The spinners, led by Chakravarthy, then took charge and dismantled the New Zealand batting lineup with precision and accuracy.
This victory was a testament to India's ability to adapt to the conditions and execute their plans flawlessly. As they prepare for a semi-final clash against Australia, the confidence gained from this performance will serve them well. For New Zealand, it was a frustrating defeat, but one that exposed the vulnerabilities in their batting against quality spin bowling. As both teams move forward, the lessons learned from this match will certainly shape their approach to the upcoming challenges.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
