Mukund, Rahane seal easy win for India in Emerging Players

New Delhi:

Abhinav Mukund and Ajinkya Rahane smashed twin half centuries as India crushed New Zealand by seven wickets in their second match of the Emerging Players 40-over tournament in Brisbane.

Mukund scored a fine 80 while Rahane made 62 off 64 balls to see India home in 31.4 overs after restricting the Kiwis to a modest 197 for nine in their alloted 40 overs.

Joining hands after the early dismissal of Shikhar Dhawan, Mukund and Rahane shared a second-wicket partnership of 145 in 149 balls to laid the foundation for the easy victory.

Mukund hit ten fours during his 97-ball stay at the crease while Rahane struck six boundaries and two sixes en route his 62. Naman Ojha and Manish Pandey were unbeaten on 23 and 14 respectively as India overhauled the target with 50 balls to spare.

Michael Bates was the most successful bowler for New Zealand, scalping two wickets for 51 runs.

Earlier, Brendon Diamanti scored a run-a-ball 62 while Jamie How hit 40 off 49 deliveries to take New Zealand to 197. How had put the Kiwis into a strong position at 71 for one in the 15th over, before Dhawal Kulkarni (3/54) and Piyush Chawla (2/53) pulled India back.

Thereafter, New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals to be reduced to 143 for seven at one stage before Diamanti gave some respectability to the score.

India had earlier lost the opening match of the 40-over edition by 60 runs to South Africa.