India’s fielding requirements touched one other excessive within the first ODI in opposition to New Zealand in Vadodara on January 11. In a part the place each run mattered, Shreyas Iyer produced a second of sheer brilliance within the deep. His sharp consciousness and athletic execution turned the momentum firmly in India’s favour. The run-out of Michael Bracewell stood out as one of many defining moments of the guests’ innings.
IND vs NZ, 1st ODI: Shreyas Iyer’s razor-sharp direct hit to take away Michael Bracewell swings the momentum in direction of India
The decisive second unfolded within the forty third over, bowled by Harshit Rana, with New Zealand seeking to speed up on the demise. Rana nailed a yorker-length supply that Daryl Mitchell may solely jam out in direction of long-on, setting off a dangerous second run. Bracewell responded instantly, understanding the significance of maximizing each alternative within the ultimate overs. Iyer, positioned close to the boundary, anticipated the hazard immediately and charged in with out hesitation. His pick-up was clear regardless of the ball coming at tempo, and in a single fluid movement he unleashed a robust throw aimed straight on the non-striker’s finish.
The throw was flat, quick, and arrowed instantly onto the stumps, leaving Bracewell with no margin for error. Even a dive couldn’t save the New Zealand captain, who fell inches in need of his crease. The group erupted because the replay confirmed what the bare eye had already seen, an ideal direct hit below stress. It was the type of dismissal that lifts your complete fielding unit, injecting contemporary vitality into the aspect. India sensed the shift instantly, tightening the screws within the remaining overs. That single act of brilliance not solely eliminated a key batter but additionally despatched a transparent message about India’s intent within the subject.
Right here’s the video:
Dedication degree: @ShreyasIyer15 🔥
Again from damage and giving his 💯 each single second on the sector! 👏#INDvNZ, 1st ODI LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/WbMZTXL0By pic.twitter.com/oyFowZB4qH
— Star Sports activities (@StarSportsIndia) January 11, 2026
Additionally WATCH: IND vs NZ: Prasidh Krishna cleans up Mitchell Hay with a jaffa within the first ODI
IND vs NZ, 1st ODI: Daryl Mitchell’s counter-attack revives Blackcaps after Indian bowlers strangle
The primary ODI in Vadodara noticed New Zealand publish a extremely aggressive 300/8 of their 50 overs, recovering brilliantly after India threatened to derail their innings within the center phases. Opting to bowl first on the brand-new Kotambi Stadium, India initially struggled to discover a breakthrough as Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls navigated the brand new ball with relative ease.
The Kiwi openers put collectively a commanding 117-run stand, with each batters reaching well-constructed half-centuries that laid a stable basis for an enormous whole. Nevertheless, the introduction of Rana sparked a collapse, because the younger pacer dismissed each openers in fast succession to deliver India again into the competition. India’s spin twins, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, then tightened the screws, drying up the boundaries and inflicting a middle-order wobble that noticed New Zealand slip from a place of power to 237/6.
Simply because the momentum appeared to favor the hosts, Daryl Mitchell took cost of the state of affairs with a blistering counter-attacking knock of 84 runs off simply 71 deliveries. Mitchell’s innings was a masterclass in fashionable ODI batting, as he often used his ft to the spinners and struck two large sixes to maintain the scoreboard ticking at a wholesome price. Whilst companions like Bracewell and Glenn Phillips fell on the different finish, Mitchell remained the anchor, making certain the guests crossed the 250-run mark.
A flurry of wickets within the demise overs by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna briefly gave India hope of retaining the goal below 280, however some late fireworks from debutant Kristian Clarke and Kyle Jamieson proved important. Within the ultimate over, New Zealand squeezed out 14 runs to succeed in precisely 300, a complete that hasn’t been chased usually at this venue’s historic debut. For India, the tempo trio of Rana, Siraj and Krishna completed with two wickets apiece, however they are going to rue a number of costly overs on the very finish.
Additionally WATCH: IND vs NZ – Harshit Rana deceives Henry Nicholls with a surprising slower ball in 1st ODI
