India vs New Zealand | They bowled well and outplayed us, says Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The Indian team was bowled out for a paltry 92 runs in the fourth ODI of the five match series against hosts New Zealand. The Kiwi bowlers were at their marauding best today and aided by a swinging ball they sent the Indian team packing for a less than 100 runs total. Then the Kiwi batsmen did the rest as they chased down the score in less than 15 overs.

“If you look at the cricket we have been playing in the last few months, we have played good cricket and such matches come after some time. So it is a kind of reality check what we can do and improve in the next matches. 

“We were confident after winning the series but things didn’t go our way. I don’t want to take credit away from these guys (New Zealand bowlers). They bowled really well and outplayed us,” Bhuvneshwar said during the post match press conference.

Earlier in the day, after winning the toss the hosts chose to bowl first looking at the conditions. The decision was spot on as Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme combined to take eight of India’s ten wickets and caused the downfall of the Indian innings. Boult was adjudged the man of the match for his five wicket haul.

“I would say they bowled really well, bowled some amazing and unplayable balls and yes overall, they outplayed us. I was a bit surprised, if you look at the wicket, it shouldn’t play the way it played. But yes, but that’s how this game is, it is unpredictable. The way Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme bowled was quite beautiful.”

The Indian skipper was not included in the squad for the last two matches and hence his place was taken by debutant Shubman Gill who failed to impress scoring only nine runs in the match. Kumar stated that though the team missed their skipper, they can not rely solely on him either.

“See you always miss him (Kohli) in such kind of wickets but at the same time it was an opportunity for Shubman Gill who came in his place. What he (Kohli) has done is amazing but we always don’t want to depend on him,” he said.

As the score of the Indian innings indicated, all the batsman failed collectively and no batsman even crossed the personal score of 20 runs. Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik who remained unbeaten in the previous match were out for a duck but Kumar said that performances of any batsman should not be judged based on a single innings.

“We can’t say that from just one match. It was a tough wicket to bat. It wasn’t a lost opportunity but it is a learning for all of us.”

One last match is remaining in the series which will be played on February 3. After which both the teams will play a three match T20I series which begins on 6th of next month at Wellington Regional Stadium. 

“Yes, of course but the format will be different and I am sure we won’t get this kind of wicket but in the one-day matches back home we can take a few things from here,” he said.

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