New Zealand vs India 2014: Five talking points of the first ODI

2. Partnerships Matter

Ross Taylor (L) of New Zealand congratulates teammate Kane Williamson as he celebrates 50 runs during the first one day international (ODI) cricket match between New Zealand and India at McLean Park in Napier on January 19, 2014.

If we look at the scorecards of the two batting sides, one quite visible difference is the lack of partnerships for India and an opposite tale for the Kiwis. New Zealand didn’t get any big three digit individual score but then they never felt the need of it as the middle order clicked for the team. There was always a partnership going on. Every new batsman took it from where the previous man left.

India, on the other hand, relied heavily on their sheet anchor Virat Kohli. But, as has been the trend, the middle order failed to deliver outside the subcontinent for what now seems to be the nth time.

As they say, and yes, it’s a cliché but a true one at that – ‘Partnerships win matches’.