India defeated New Zealand in the first warm-up match at the Kensington Oval by 45 runs via D/L method.
Virat Kohlias unbeaten half century supported by good bowling performance helped India register 45 runs victory via Duckworth/Lewis method in rain-interrupted first warm-up match against New Zealand at Kennington Oval, London on Sunday.
Chasing the target of 190 runs, India were 129/3 at the end of 26th over, when the umpires called off the match as rain got heavier. India were ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis par score by 45 runs when rain stopped play.
Before the rain interruption, both the batsmen Kohli (52 runs off 55 deliveries) and Dhoni (17 runs off 21 deliveries) were looking in good touch and comfortable in chase of target 190 runs set by Kiwi batsmen. Kohli who struggled in these English conditions when he played here last time, looked comfortable against the Kiwi pace attack.
Standing a yard outside the crease he played a beautiful straight drive on the bowling of Adam Milne; which gave hint of his return to the form. The 28 year old Indian skipper played unbeaten knock of 52 runs of just 55 deliveries including 6 boundaries; stitched 25 runs partnership with Mahendra Singh Dhoni before rain stopped play.
Before that Ajinkya Rahane provided India steady start of 30 runs with his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan before pulling Tim Southeeas well-directed bouncer ball straight into hands of Boult at fine leg boundary. On the other hand, his partner Dhawan had his luck on his side as he was dropped a straight forward chance by Neil Broom at point. He was just on one run and the final delivery of the same over bowled by Trent Boult took edge of the bat but fell yard short of Martin Guptil at second slip.
Dhawan had good match practice as he scored 40 runs off 59 balls; before he got out at mid-wicket. Dinesh Karthik who wasAcalled up for Champions Trophy in place of injured Manish Pandey; failed to make any remark as he struggled from very first delivery he faced and got out on duck after facing 9 deliveries.
Earlier, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bat first. Mohammed Shami took wicket of Martin Guptil early in his second over; when Kiwi opener failed to clear Bhuvnehswar Kumar at mid-off. Hardik Pandya leaked some runs at the start of the innings; but Shami cleared Neil Broom and Williamson in same over after giving 15 runs of first four deliveries of that over.
Luke Ronchi tried to hold the inning but Jadeja bowled him out on 66; he managed to hit 6 fours and 2 sixes. Apart from Ronchi, all-rounder James Neesham scored some runs; he hit six fours in his not out 46, wickets kept falling at regular interval on other end. Indian bowlers were disciplinedAto bowl New Zealand out for 189 in 38.4 overs.
Shami didnat play any international cricket since ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, picked up 3 wickets off his 8 overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also picked up 3 wickets for 28 runs in his 6.4 overs; while Jadeja managed to get 2 wickets. UmeshYadav and Ravichandran Ashwin took one wicket each.
India will play their second warm up game against Bangladesh on May 30 at Kennington Oval, London.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand: 189 in 38.4 overs ( LukeRonchi 66, James Neesham 46*, MohammedA Shami 3-47, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3-28); lost to India 129/3 in 26 Overs ( ViratKohli 52*, ShikharDhawan 40, James Neesham 1-11; Trent Boult 1-34) by 45 runs by D/L method.
