India's overseas performance took a further dip in New Zealand on Wednesday when MS Dhoni's men were beaten by New Zealand in the second ODI at Hamilton, with the 15-run (D/L) loss also snatching the No. 1 ODI rank from the world champions.
Set a revised target of 297, after two rain delays in the New Zealand innings turned the game into a 42-over affair, India once again looked over-reliant on Virat Kohli whose 78 kept India in the game. But Kohli's dismissal once again proved to be detrimental to India's chances, until Dhoni launched a last-ditch effort for an improbable win with his 56.
India's loss became Australia's gain, who have now regained the No. 1 rank in the ICC ODI rankings.
Indian bowling once again failed for most part until a final burst from Mohammad Shami (3 for 55) restricted New Zealand score that got a major push from Corey Anderson's 17-ball 44, which included five towering sixes. Before Anderson, Kane Williamson (77) got his second consecutive half-century and Ross Taylor contributed a 56-ball 57 to set the launchpad.
NZ reached 271 for 7 in their 42 overs, adding a whopping 101 runs in 8.4 overs after the second rain interruption, but the target for India was revised to 297 per D/L method, which was always going to be a stiff ask for the Indian batting with out-of-form openers and a middle order solely dependent on Kohli.
