Bhubaneswar: Even as India has been to the semis in the ICC Champion trophy, the last league match with New Zealand has no less significance as a win will give a boost to the psyche of the men of blue for remaining unconquerable.
However, in the match played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Indian Captain Rohit Sharma again lost in the toss flip-up ceremony.
As per reports, the pitch made of black soil from Pakistan is holding a life for the bowlers under the Sunlight. However, as the night lights will flash on, it may turn a paradise for the batters. Even spinners can’t do much.
Since the New Zealand captain has won the toss, he promptly elected to bowl first. The Kiwi skipper has said the following.
“The wicket looks good. We'll have a bowl first. Want to put some pressure early and hopefully it skids on well later. We still want to win, we know we are going to be in Lahore later but first task is to do a job here, and challenge ourselves in different conditions.”
WINNING TOSS COMES HANDY FOR KIWI SIDE
What Mitch Santner had expected from the pitch, the early breaks in Indian batting battery vindicates the importance of winning the toss in the game of cricket.
Kiwi pacers strike early removing the Indian Skipper, who has started accelerating the Indian’s run machine.
HENRY THE WRECKER AGAIN!
It was the 2019 World Cup. India versus New Zealand semi-final at Old Trafford played. Henry had his best spell against India. It is here the fast Kiwi bowler ripped through the Indian innings dismissing Rohit Sharma – who had been the top scorer of the World Cup tournament.
Sunday at Dubai in the ICC Champions Torphy league match, Henry gave two big blows to Indian run charge. LBW out Shubam Gill and the prized caught out wicket of Virat Kohli.
KOHLI DISMISSAL
Though, the credit for the big wicket of Virat Kohli will definitely go to the fielder Glenn Phillips.
When the run machine of India Virat Kohli had cut the Matt Henry delivery hard and flat, and when the ball is zipping fast past the fielder Phillips at backward point, dived stretching his right hand to grab the flying ball. He did it in style and the stadium witnessed pin-drop silence.
The slow motion replays show Phillips while taking the prized catch has remained horizontal to the ground, and the ball didn’t spill out of his hands when he fell onto the ground.
ROHIT SHARMA’S TOSS LOSS RECORD
As per the Cricbuzz report, the loss of toss by Rohit Sharma as captain has been his 10 consecutive one. He now joins the club led by West Indies skipper Brian Lara and Netherlands Captain Peter Borren.
- Brian Lara – leads the record with loss of toss in 12 during the period (1998-99)
- Peter Borren – comes second with losing toss for consecutive 11 times (2011-2013)
- Rohit Sharma – occupies the third sport with a loss in 10 matches during the period (Nov 2023 to March 2025)
KIWIS ON DRIVING WHEEL
With the big guns of India falling early, and the consequent slowing down of run rate therafter, it seems the toss win has come handy for the Kiwis.
As the pitch at night will favour the bastman, and when India may score around 260-270, the Kiwi side can easily chase the modest total, as far as this ground is concerned.
