India suffered a crushing 103-run loss to New Zealand when they were shot out for 198 while chasing a mamooth 301 runs set by the Black Caps in a warm-up game ahead of the Champions Trophy in Potchefstroom on Sunday.
Bowling continued to be India's main worry as its bowlers, except leg-spinner Amit Mishra (1 for 29) and Yusuf Pathan (3 for 46), were expensive as New Zealand, which opted to bat first on winning toss, amassed the huge total -- thanks to half-centuries by Jesse Ryder and Martin Guptil at top of the order and a fiery 66 by Neil Broom down the order.
Despite getting a start, Indians were never really in the hunt. The opening pair of Dinesh Karthik and Rahul Dravid made 58 runs in quick time. Dravid, in particular, looked in scintillating touch, hammering Shane Bond for four fours in one over, all distinct and different from each other.
The experienced batsman first hooked and then drove Bond imperiously through the covers. He then dabbed a delivery to third man fence and delicately glanced another past fine leg boundary.
But once 'the wall' departed, the Indians showed little stomach for fight. Suresh Raina (31) delighted for a while and once smote Vettori over widish long on but was soon run-out.
{{/usCountry}}But once 'the wall' departed, the Indians showed little stomach for fight. Suresh Raina (31) delighted for a while and once smote Vettori over widish long on but was soon run-out.
{{/usCountry}}New Zealand showed they meant business as their four frontline bowlers were in operation till the back of Indian batting was seen. When the score read 130 for 7 at more than half way through the overs, the writing was clearly on the wall for the Indians.