2016: A disappointing year for India in ODIs

Tags: India, Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Rohit Gurunath Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Flashback 2016, Rewind 2016

Published on: Dec 29, 2016

While India had an excellent year in Tests, rising to the number one rank with Virat Kohli at the helm, thanks to the fact that they played most of their games at home, the same cannot be said about India’s ODI efforts under MS Dhoni

While India had an excellent year in Tests, rising to the number one rank with Virat Kohli at the helm, thanks to the fact that they played most of their games at home, the same cannot be said about India’s ODI efforts under MS Dhoni. India played a total of 13 ODIs in the year, and had a mixed run, winning seven and losing six. Here’s a detailed look at India’s ODI performance in 2016.

India tour of Australia 2016: India visited Australia during the start of the year. They had a really tough time losing the series 1-4. Rohit Sharma smashed 171 in the opening match at Perth, but Australia chased down 310 courtesy tons from Steven Smith and George Bailey. Rohit hit a ton in the second game at Brisbane too, but Australia again chased down 300 plus with ease. Virat Kohli’s 117 took India to 295 at Melbourne, but Glenn Maxwell’s 96 saw them clinch the series. Australia batted first and posted 348 at Gabba. India lost despite Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan tons as Kane Richardson claimed five wickets. A consolation win, chasing 331, came at Sydney as Manish Pandey blasted an unbeaten 104.

India tour of Zimbabwe 2016: On expected lines, India beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in the latter’s home den. In the first of three ODIs, all of which were played at Harare, India kept Zimbabwe down to 168 as Jasprit Bumrah finished with 4 for 28. Lokesh Rahul’s debut hundred saw India win with ease, by nine wickets. In the second game, Zimbabwe were rolled over for 126, again batting first. This time, Yuzvendra Chahal starred with 3 for 25. Ambati Rayudu made an unbeaten 41 while Rahu and Karun Nair chipped in with 30s as India won by eight wickets this time. Zimbabwe batted first in the final ODI as well. Bumrah again stood out with 4 for 22 as Zimbabwe were kept down to 123. Unbeaten fifties from Rahul and debutant Faiz Fazal saw India romp home by 10 wickets.

New Zealand tour of India 2016: India had a tough one-day series against the Kiwis at home. They managed to win the series courtesy a thumping triumph in the final ODI. India won the opening game at Dharamsala by six wickets. Hardik Pandya’s three-for on debut saw India keep New Zealand down to 190. Kohli’s unbeaten 85 took India to an easy win. In the second match at Delhi, the Kiwis hit back with a close six-run triumph. Despite Kane Williamson’s hundred, New Zealand only managed 242. India collapsed in response, and were 183 for 8 at one stage. Despite Pandya’s fighting 36, India went down.

In the third ODI at Chandigarh, India chased down 286 to win by seven wickets. Kohli hit a brilliant, unbeaten 154 while Dhoni hit 80, promoting himself up the order. New Zealand squared the series with a 19-run triumph at Ranchi. Martin Guptill’s 72 and Tim Southee’s three-for were the star efforts. India eventually eased to win in the decider at Vizag, by 109 runs. Rohit and Kohli smashed half-centuries before Amit Mishra’s 5 for 18 rolled over the Kiwis for a paltry 79.

--By A Cricket Analyst

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