Team India registered a 12-run victory in a high-scoring thriller against New Zealand in the first ODI at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday (January 18).
Opting to bat first, the Men in Blue racked up a mammoth 349/8 in their allotted 50 overs. Opener Shubman Gill starred with the bat, scoring 208 off 149 balls with 19 fours and 9 sixes.
In reply, the Kiwis were reeling at 131/6 and it seemed that the hosts will cruise towards victory. However, Michael Bracewell turned the game upside down with a blazing century.
Batting at No. 7, Bracewell took the Indian bowling attack to the cleaners to notch up his hundred in just 57 balls. The southpaw added 162 runs for the seventh wicket with Mitchell Santner (57 off 45 balls) to bring the visitors back in the game.
After Santner was dismissed in the 46th over by Mohammed Siraj (4-46), New Zealand also lost Henry Shipley (0) and Lockie Ferguson (8) cheaply but Bracewell held the one end firmly and took the match to the final over.
With 20 needed off the last over, Michael Bracewell smashed Shardul Thakur for a six on the very first ball but the latter trapped the former plumb in front of the wicket on the second delivery to bundle out the tourists for 337.
Bracewell eventually returned with the knock of 140 in 78 balls (12 fours and 10 sixes) and received rich praise from the cricket fraternity on Twitter.
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