And there you have it, New Zealand win this one in the end by 15 runs (D/L method) and go 2-0 up in the series. India, despite losing their ODI top ranking with this result, will not be too dismayed though, as they have shown their ability to compete on level terms with the home side. They will be hopeful they can turn it around come the 25th when they square off for the 3rd ODI in Auckland. Till then, though, this is Rohan Sharma signing off for ESPNcricinfo on behalf of George Binoy, and the scorer, Sanjay Murari. Have a good one, folks!
Kane Williamson, Man of the Match: Yeah its going alright. Just playing the anchoring role in the middle after the big boys get dismissed. It has been quite good and a complete performance from the team. I tried to contribute as much as possible in both of these games. It was great to keep the momentum going for the home team, and we look forward to our next match.
Brendon McCullum, NZ captain: Yeah it was a good performance. It was outstanding to get the total we did, and that too in a reduced game. We needed all those runs against India's packed batting. Prior to the weather I thought the batting was outstanding with Ross and Kane. Then Corey came back in today and showed just how much he has learned at this level to give us that momentum going into the second innings. Against the Indian team you know how dangerous their batting is. The team has really stepped up and performed well over these last two games. At the end of the day, under pressure, the guys did really well. In big moments he is really stepping up (Corey), and the way he came back with the ball showed his ability. Really pleased with the guys' performance, and I know we will get better and better as the series wears on.
MS Dhoni, India captain: The NZ fast bowlers, when they bowled the slower ones, it was hard to get them away. It was quite difficult to hit them away consistently, and in the end we couldn't get close to the 290 we needed. The last game I got out, and this game Virat got out, so it was important to keep continuing to build a partnership as it is hard for the players coming in to play their strokes freely. From the 25th/26th over we should have started to hit out, but it doesn't always go to plan. Yes the fast bowlers did well for us. Bhuvi was good at the death, while Shami has been performing quite consistently. We gave away a few extra runs but that is to be expected with the big hitters they have. It is better for the second team in limited-overs to know the target and what to do.
will be back shortly for quotes from the match presentation
So for all accounts this match is done and dusted, with the final determination on just how many runs still needing to be decided. As it stands, New Zealand are 2-0 ahead in the series, with three matches left to decide the series. India once again came to the party, but I suspect it was the slow start of their openers that may have cost them this victory, along with the untimely nature of the rain today. We have received confirmation that New Zealand have won this encounter by 15 runs (D/L method)
India will not be too displeased that rain has intervened at this time. This match was slipping away further and further, and it seems the rain gods have taken mercy on them by letting them off the hook a little bit earlier than expected. The New Zealand players high-five one another as the Indian batsmen trudge off to the pavilion.
B Kumar c NL McCullum b Anderson 11 (9m 6b 2x4 0x6) SR: 183.33
And as we enter the final over the equation reads 22 off 6. Not impossible, but not likely either
END OF OVER:41 | 15 Runs 1 Wkt | IND: 275/8 (22 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 6.70, RRR: 22.00)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar11 (5b)
- Mohammed Shami0 (0b)
- Tim Southee9-0-72-4
- Corey Anderson7-0-65-2
Vijay: "Another MOM perfomance by Anderson!!!!"