India managed to recover from an early collapse of 30 for three by posting a challenging score of 249 in their ongoing Champions Trophy clash against New Zealand. Shreyas Iyer (77) played a key role in stabilizing India's innings. He walked with the team in deep trouble, but by the time he was there at the crease, Shreyas ensured India posted a good score on a decent Dubai wicket. After Iyer's wicket, Hardik Pandya's brisk 45 enabled India to finish strongly.
India got off to an inauspicious start as their ever-reliable top three - Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli fell in the power play itself. New Zealand's opening new ball bowlers Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson, were meticulous in their line and lengths and did not allow India's top-order batters to break the shackles. After the initial stutter, Shreyas and Axar (42) stitched a 98-run fourth-wicket partnership and brought India back on track. However, just when both batters were about to hit top gear, New Zealand managed to dismiss both and enabled India to not post a target above 270.
In the middle phase of the innings, New Zealand spinners Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, and Rachin Ravindra bowled well.
India post a challenging score, the onus now on spinners to keep New Zealand quite
A large part of India not being able to post a score above 270 was down to terrific fielding by New Zealand's fielders. If Glenn Phillips showed why he is rated as the best fielder, then Williamson also matched him by taking a stunning catch to dismiss Jadeja. However, India managed to post a respectable total in the end due to a brisk cameo by Pandya. Matt Henry finished with five wickets for just 42 runs.
Now, the onus will be on India's spinners - Axar, Jadeja, and Chakaravarthy to keep a tight leash on New Zealand batters.
