Top three Indian performers against New Zealand ft Virat Kohli

Team India continued their dream start in the ongoing World Cup as they sealed their 5th victory on the trot and this time it came at the premium expense of New Zealand, who were undefeated until this game. 

It was another all-round display that saw the Indian bowlers reeling the Kiwis back in despite a sumptuous start followed by another Virat Kohli masterclass propelled the Indians to the top of the points table.

As India climbed to the top of the points table with a clear advantage of a couple of points between them and their nearest pursuers, there were a flurry of impressive displays that reigned supreme for India. Amidst all the brilliance, here are our top three picks in the Indian threads against New Zealand.

1.    Virat Kohli – 95 (104)

The Indian run-machine is in the midst of some unparalleled form as he played back-to-back knocks of brilliance, condemning the likes of Bangladesh and New Zealand. Against the Black Caps, he once proved to be the defining anchor of the side, knocking the bowlers out of the park whenever he was gifted with the looseners while for the remainder of the innings, he was calm, composed and ensured that he was not playing a single bad shot unless the job was done. He wanted to take the aerial route again to bring up that victorious run while also bagging his century but fell for 95 this time as Matt Henry had the last laugh.

2.    Mohammed Shami – 5/54

The Indian express bowler got his first match of the ongoing World Cup and he got down to business straight away, producing a humdinger fifer that left New Zealand reeling. His wickets of the day included the likes of Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry. Out of the three scalps claimed, he affected three dismissals by uprooting the stumps, which is a blazing testimony to the kind of sizzling brilliance that he brings to the platter.

3.    Ravindra Jadeja – 39* (44)

The day didn’t start well for the Indian all-rounder after he dropped a crucial catch of Rachin Ravindra that would have left the Kiwis crippling early on. To make matters worse he couldn’t bag a scalp for the day either. However, when he walked out to bat, India needed someone who could pair well with Kohli and help them to escape the choppy waters that India was slowly getting enmeshed in. However, Jadeja’s efficiency with the bat has been crucial for the Men in Blue time and time again and yesterday was another of those days. With 83 runs still to win when he walked out to bat, he ensured that India didn’t have to suffer any more hiccup while they cruised to the finish line without breaking a sweat.