IND vs NZ: Michael Bracewell equals MS Dhoni in rare batting feat


image-ld2oe15hMichael Bracewell scored 140 in first ODI [Source: Associated Press]

New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell scored a magnificent hundred against India on Wednesday evening in Hyderabad, which sadly resulted in a close loss for his side. Bracewell's innings of 140, came off just 78 balls and had 12 fours and 10 towering sixes.

Bracewell, with this hundred, also equaled former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's rare batting feat of being the only batter to score more than one hundred from No.7 or lower in ODIs.

The left-handed batter came in with the Black Caps side down and out at 131 for 6 and went on to stitch a 162-run stand with Mitchell Santner (57). This was Bracewell's second ODI ton, and also the third-fastest (57) for a New Zealand batter.

Needing 20 off six, something that Bracewell pulled off against Ireland last year, the 31-year-old here managed just 6 runs before getting leg-before to Shardul Thakur to hand India a 12-run win, with New Zealand chasing 350. 

India managed to pile on 349 runs batting first, thanks to a double-hundred from Shubman Gill, who scored 208 runs. 

The second ODI will be played at Raipur on Saturday, with the hosts leading the three-match series 1-0.


We did our best but unfortunately we fell short: Michael Bracewell