Related Links : New Zealand Vs India, 2nd ODI Scorecard | India in New Zealand 2008/09
Superb half centuries from Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar went in vain as rain had the last laugh in the second ODI at Wellington. The match had to abruptly end when India were at 188 for 4 in 28.4 overs in what turned out to be a 34-over contest.
Having won the toss and deciding to bat first, India was well placed at 130 for 1 during the first rain break which arrived in the 20th over. Sehwag dominated a lovely opening stand of 76 in 12.3 overs. Virender Sehwag’s entertaining knock was cut short by a poor umpiring decision, Sehwag blasted 54 from 36 balls with 9 fours and a six. After a significant delay, the match restarted and was reduced to 44 overs and by the next rain spell, India had moved onto 151 for 3 in 24 overs. In this passage India had lost Sachin Tendulkar (lbw to a full ball from Vettori which he tried to sweep), who made 61 from 79 with 7 fours and a six and Yuvraj Singh out for a duck (dabbing Mills to slip). Another long rain break reduced the match further to 34 overs and in the urge of scoring quickly a well set Gautam Gambhir holed out in the deep having made 30 from 36 balls.
Skipper MS Dhoni on 23 from 19 balls and Suresh Raina on 13 from 8 balls were just about to bring back the momentum in India’s innings before rain sealed the fate of the match.