IND vs NZ : What’s wrong with India’s current bowling line up?

India won the first match in the three-match ODI series with a 12-run victory, now leading the 3 match series by 1-0. In this match, India won the toss and opted to bat. While batting first Men in blue posted a total of 349/8 in 50 overs, giving a target of 350 runs to New Zealand. In Indian batting line up, Shubhman Gill gave a huge contribution by scoring a double hundred and helped out team India to post such a big total.

Other, batters like Rohit Sharma (34) and Hardik Pandya (28) also chipped some supporting knocks. As, the overall batting performance of team India was quite satisfying. But, despite having such a huge total on scoreboard India won the match by just a little difference of 12 runs. New Zealand batters Michael Bracewell (140) and Mitchell Santner (57) batted exceptionally well while chasing down and once at a point it seemed to be like New Zealand is prevailing in the match as New Zealand reached a total of 337.

Hyderabad had never seen such a high scoring game. Congratulations team India 🇮🇳 @ImRo45 on the win. #INDvsNZ #NZvsIND #shubhmangill #Bracewell pic.twitter.com/BbjoVMcYlu

— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) January 19, 2023

This further demonstrates a flaw in Indian bowling as the Indian bowlers made the runs plundered in which Shardul Thakur (2/54) in just 7.2 overs gave lot of runs, Kuldeep Yadav (2/43) and Mohammed Siraj (4/46) also gave a lot many to Kiwis. Although, thanks to Shardul Thakur as he took the precious wicket of Michael Bracewell in the final over and made India win.

But, having such a close match despite having a huge total to defend, shows the Indian bowling side becoming the weakness as they leaked a lot of runs. India should think and work on its bowling strategies as well as need to work on their bowler’s economy. To be a good balanced team India should have a good bowling line up also aiming towards the World Cup to be played later this year.