Chennai, Dec. 10: In suffering their 11th successive defeat, New Zealand have hit a new nadir. There is nothing that has gone right for the side in the last few months that included a 0-4 drubbing at the hands of Bangladesh.
With the World Cup round the corner questions have begun to rise on Daniel Vettori continuing as skipper. “I am doing the best I can. There are people above me who will decide on captaincy,” said the left-arm spinner after Friday’s eight-wicket loss here.
Vettori agreed that New Zealand cricket was going nowhere and it was time for players to go back and play domestic cricket to regain their form.
“We have the series against Pakistan coming up, must try and make the most of that before the World Cup and get back as a strong team,” said Vettori.
For Gautam Gambhir the feeling was heady as he joined a handful of captains to have won an ODI series 5-0. The opener noted things could be difficult against the Proteas.
“It will be a different ball game in South Africa where the conditions are going to be totally different. However it’s always nice to approach a tough series with a win like this,” said Gambhir.
The Delhi batsman was happy at the intense competition among youngsters in the side for a spot in the World Cup squad.
Scorecard
New Zealand
Guptill c Parthiv b Praveen 0, B. McCullum lbw b Nehra 14, How b Yuvraj 23, Taylor c Parthiv b Nehra 9, Styris lbw b Ashwin 24, Franklin not out 17, Elliott lbw b Yuvraj 0, Vettori c Yuvraj b Pathan 9, N. McCullum c Yuvraj b Pathan 1, Mills c Tiwary b Ashwin 4, Southee c Sharma b Ashwin 0
Extras: (w2) 2
Total (in 27 overs) 103
FoW: 1-0, 2-14, 3-28, 4-71, 5-73, 6-74, 7-90, 8-98, 9-103 (Mills), 10-103
Bowling: Praveen 6-1-20-1 (w1), Nehra 5-0-34-2 (w1), Patel 3-0-9-0, Ashwin 8-1-24-3, Yuvraj 2-0-5-2, Pathan 3-0-11-2.
India
Gambhir c B. McCullum b N. McCullum 0, Patel not out 56, Kohli c Taylor b Vettori 2, Yuvraj not out 42
Extras: (lb2, w5) 7
Total (in 21.1 overs) 107/2
FoW: 1-0, 2-10
Bowling: N. McCullum 6-1-26-1, Vettori 6-0-30-1 (w5), Styris
4-0-7-0, Mills 1-0-15-0, Elliott 4.1-0-27-0