Cricket

'What a thriller'- Indian fans breathe a sigh of relief after India won the first ODI by 12 runs in a nail-biter

Indian fans breathe a sigh of relief after India won the first ODI by 12 runs in a nail-biter against New Zealand on Wednesday.

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Daniel S
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India vs New Zealand

India vs New Zealand: (Image Source: Twitter)

Michael Bracewell's outstanding knock of  148 runs in 78 balls added life to the first ODI between India and New Zealand on Wednesday. But, it didn't prove enough in the end as India beat New Zealand by 12 runs to take 1-0 lead in the series.

India batted first and notched a big score of 349 runs in the first innings, thanks to a sensational double-century from Shubman Gill. The Indian opener smashed 208 runs on the board in just 149 balls, including 19 fours and 9 sixes during his knock.

He formed a 60-run stand for the opening wicket with Rohit Sharma before the skipper departed for 34 off 38 balls. The likes of Kohli (8) and Ishan Kishan (5) fell cheaply as India were put under pressure.

However, Gill kept scoring boundaries at the other end. He received handy support from Hardik Pandya (28) and Suryakumar Yadav (31) but both got out after getting starts.

Gill, however, was wreaking havoc, on the other end. He tore apart the bowling unit with his batting exploits. Gill smashed three sixes to Lockie Ferguson in a single over to bring up his double-ton. India ended their innings after setting up with a massive target of 350 runs on the board.

In pursuit of the target, New Zealand as well as they would have expected. Siraj, once again, was brilliant with his lines and lengths. He sent Devon Conway back early in the innings to put pressure on the opposition.

Finn Allen was looking good with a 39-ball 40-run knock before Thakur accounted for his wicket in the 13th over. Kuldeep Yadav then spun a web around the batters and also picked the wickets of Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell. Latham’s wicket in the 29th over left New Zealand in all sorts of trouble at 131 for 6. India were on course for a win, at that stage.

But, Bracewell and Santner turned the match dramatically as the duo stitched a 162-run partnership. Siraj, once again, came for the team’s rescue as he picked the wickets of Santner (57) and Shipley (0) to keep the game evenly poised.

But Bracewell was smashing the bowlers to all parts of the grounds at the other end. He kept the game alive till the very end, playing a sensational knock but couldn't the team home in the end. Here's a look at how fans reacted to the win:

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