It was a match in the fast forward mode. Nearly half of the day's overs remained before India completed the predictable 5-0 whitewash over New Zealand.
The spinners ruled in this short contest. The trio of R Ashwin, Yuvraj Singh and Yusuf Pathan were made to look better than they really are by the inept New Zealand batsmen. Once the new-ball pair made early inroads with three wickets, the spinners were all over the Kiwis.
This perhaps accounted for New Zealand's decision to bat first, ignoring the fact that bowling under lights is never a useful option. They have been rattled by the India spinners and wanted to avoid facing them later in the day.
The problem though lies elsewhere. It isn't in the conditions or the superiority of India bowlers.
It's in the miserable mindset and skills of the Kiwis who, in this form, ought to be the one of the worst batting sides in the world.
No fresh talent in the shorter format has come through and Scott Styris, after all these years, continues to be their vanguard which isn't a bright commentary on the state of affairs. It was Styris who was the top scorer again even though he made a paltry 24 runs.
The innings was over in two hours and two minutes; 27 being the number of overs. Every India bowler finished with flattering figures. This, when bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan was missing.
{{/usCountry}}The innings was over in two hours and two minutes; 27 being the number of overs. Every India bowler finished with flattering figures. This, when bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan was missing.
{{/usCountry}}From the Indian point of view, a lot many wanted to see if Yuvraj Singh, Saurabh Tiwary and Rohit Sharma would be able to make the most of the pickings left.
Rohit and Tiwary weren't so lucky. Yuvraj though was as he picked up two wickets and two catches and later made light of the two early setbacks in the India innings.
India lost their two best bats of the series early in the innings.
Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli haven't been among runs in the last two one-dayers.
But it's been a blessing in disguise as the likes of Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj have been able to come to the party. Parthiv Patel too has made claims to be the second best wicketkeeper-batsman in India.
India have been dominant even with a younger side and there is a cheerful optimism for the World Cup.
TCM