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SPORTS DECEMBER 02, 2022 | The Indian Eye 41

Top knocks from Shreyas, Shi- ball squads for the best part of 14
khar Dhawan, and Shubhman Gill years but did not play in the recently
helped India get past the 300-run completed T20 World Cup, and was
mark in the first ODI of the three- not selected for the current T20 and
match series as India raked in 96 ODI series against India.
runs from the last 10 overs. He has represented New Zea-
Tom Latham was declared ‘Play- land in 47 Tests and has scored 2,586
er of the Match’ for his sensational runs at an average of 29.38. Three
innings helping his team secure a centuries and 17 fifties have come
win. from his bat in this format, with the
best score of 189.
Need to implement plans more In 198 ODIs, Guptill has scored
wisely: Shikhar Dhawan 7,346 runs at an average of 41.73 in
195 innings. He has 18 ODI tons and
s the hosts trumped India by 39 half-centuries to his name, with
seven wickets, the marathon the best score of 237*. Besides this,
Achase was powered the stun- he has also scored 3,531 runs in 122
ning century from Tom Latham and T20IS at an average of 31.81, with
the skipper Kane Williamson’s un- two tons and 20 fifties and the best
defeated 94. Indian Captain Shikhar score of 105.
Dhawan was not happy with the per- Following discussions with NZC,
formance and mentioned that the it was agreed Guptill’s request for a
team could have planned better as release should be accepted, effective
per the ground. It was a competitive immediately.
total and the ball moved a lot for the New Zealand’s leading T20
first 10-15 overs. He also cited that run-scorer, the third-highest in the
bowlers bowled many short balls to Shikhar Dhawan plays a shot during the 1st ODI match against New Zealand, at Eden Park ODI format, and third on the world
Latham which he attacked superbly. stadium, in Auckland on Friday (ANI) all-time T20 list, Guptill has empha-
“We felt good about the to- sised he is not retiring from interna-
tal. First 10-15 overs the ball did a tional cricket and still wishes to be
lot. It’s a bit different from other three-match series alive. Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phil- considered for BLACKCAPS selec-
grounds. Have to plan accordingly. Talking about the captaincy role lips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, tion when available.
Today we’ve bowled short of length the Indian captain said, “I am real- Henry Nicholls. For its part, NZC has made it
and Latham attacked us there,” said ly fortunate to get the captaincy of clear to him that, while he would
Indian skipper Shikhar Dhawan in the Indian team. It is very nice to Guptill is not retired, still remain eligible for selection, prefer-
post-match ceremony. have this challenging opportunity. motivated to play: Williamson ence would continue to be given to
India had a good hold over the We have won a good series too. I those players with central or domes-
match until the 40th over. Howev- was not hurt when the captaincy was head of his team’s first ODI tic contracts.
er, game shifted in favour of New taken back from me. I don’t feel bad against India, New Zealand On the upcoming series, Wil-
Zealand henceforth. In form, Tom if something didn’t go the way we Askipper Kane Williamson liamson said that he would not call
Latham attacked Shardul Thakur wanted.” said on Thursday said that veteran it a preparation for the 2023 50-over
with four fours and a six. With the seniors rested, the se- opener Martin Guptill has been an World Cup, but the focus is rather
“That’s where he took the game ries will include a large number of incredible player for their team and on the series in hand and the brand
away from us especially in the 40th young people. Shikhar Dhawan, In- he is still motivated to continue play- of cricket his side wants to play.
over. That’s where the momentum dia’s veteran hitter, is slated to lead ing and improving. Williamson said that he still
shifted,” said Shikhar. the team. His deputy will be Rish- “I had a few chats with him. He loves playing all formats and chang-
Dhawan felt the need of plan- abh Pant. Deepak Chahar will also has been incredible for New Zea- ing between them.
ning wisely. Bowling and fielding fur- make an appearance after the pacer land. He made the decision to play “I still have the motivation to
ther need improvement. We cannot missed the T20 World Cup due to a in other leagues but is still available keep improving as a player,” added
bowl at batsman’s strong areas. It is back injury. The Indian team arrived for New Zealand. He is certainly Williamson.
always good to play here. Winning in Auckland on Wednesday and im- one of our best white ball players. It On playing ODIs after such a
would have given us a lot of confi- mediately went to practice. is just trying to strike that balance. huge amount of T20Is, Williamson
dence, he said. INDIA: We have seen that with other players said that the side needs to reconnect
“Really enjoy playing here. who have looked at some other op- a bit.
Would’ve been happier if we won Shikhar Dhawan (C), Shubman Gill, portunities. It is a moving landscape. “There has not been a huge
but that’s part and parcel. They’re all Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, He has not retired. He is still moti- amount of ODIs, it was mostly
young boys and lots of learning for Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (VC and vated to keep playing and getting T20Is, with some tests. It is about
them. Bowling side and fielding side WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Washing- better. As a player, you go through settling down and getting a nice un-
as well (what areas need improve- ton Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Shahbaz different periods, go through differ- derstanding. There is a change in the
ment?). We need to implement our Ahmed, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep ent stages. It is about managing it,” environment. These are a few fac-
plans more wisely and make sure Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Deepak Cha- said Williamson in a pre-match press tors. But it is about keeping it nice
we don’t make the batsmen play on har, Kuldeep Sen, Umran Malik conference. and simple, going out and express
their strength,” said Dhawan. NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and himself. There is a lot of ODI
The second ODI between India has released veteran opener Martin cricket to come,” he added.
and New Zealand will be played at Kane Williamson (c), Finn Allen, Mi- Guptill from his central contract, an- The ODI leg of the NZ tour will
Seddon Park in Hamilton on No- chael Bracewell, Devon Conway (wk), nounced the board on Wednesday. be held from November 25-30. New
vember 27. It is a must-win game for Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom The 36-year-old opening bats- Zealand will return to India for a
the young Indian side to keep the Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Adam man has been a fixture in NZ white white-ball series in January next year.

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