NZ v IND 2019: India finish strong at 324/4; Rohit and Dhawan hit half-centuries

MS Dhoni made 48* and helped India accelerate in the last overs.

Team India and New Zealand are engaged in the second ODI of the five-match series at Mount Maunganui. India had won the first ODI at Napier and New Zealand wanted to bring one back.

Virat Kohli won the toss and for a change, decided to bat first. India got a solid opening start of 154 runs in 25 overs, as Shikhar Dhawan scored 66 off 67 balls with 8 fours. Rohit Sharma carried on to make a sublime 87 off 96 balls with 9 fours and 3 sixes.

Virat Kohli made 43 and Rayudu made 47, as New Zealand bowlers tried to tighten the Indian batting in last few overs. But then MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav decided to cut loose. Dhoni ended up making 48* in 33 balls with 5 fours and 1 six, while Jadhav contributed 22* in 10 balls with 3 fours and 1 six.

India made 70 runs in last 7 overs to get the momentum. India ended up making 324/4 in 50 overs, a par score.

Trent Boult with 2/61 and Ferguson with 2/81 were the wicket-takers for Kiwis. Ferguson was taken apart in the last over, giving away 20 runs.  

New Zealand will require to bat out of their skins to chase that total down against the formidable Indian bowling comprising of Shami, Bhuvneshwar, Kuldeep, and Chahal.

BRIEF SCORES:
IND 324/4 (R Sharma 87, S DHAWAN 66; T BOULT 2/61)