India At World Cup 2019: Rough Start For 'Favourites' Men In Blue As Real Test To Begin Soon

It was a classic case of a traditional venue exposing a team's traditional weakness. In typically overcast English conditions, India's batsmen - fresh from their exploits in the IPL on rather flat tracks - were bowled out for 179 in just 39.2 overs in their first warm-up game against New Zealand at the Oval.

India slipped to 39/4 and then 91/7 before top-scorer Ravindra Jadeja (54 off 50 balls; 6x4, 2x6) and allrounder Hardik Pandya (30 off 37b, 6x4) gave the total a semblance of respectability.

Some people are live-tweeting a practice match on a Saturday evening. How lonely are you guys? Btw, Jadeja is playing quite good today. #IndvNZ

¡ª Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 25, 2019

Though they lost their openers early in the piece, the Kiwis strolled to a six-wicket win thanks to a 114-run third-wicket alliance between the old firm of skipper Kane Williamson (67 off 87; 6x4, 1x6) and Ross Taylor (71 off 75; 8x4).

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India used their lead pace resources conservatively, bowling Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami for just four overs each in very helpful conditions.

India lost out on 64 balls while batting and were defeated with 77 balls to spare. Interestingly, it wasn't MS Dhoni but Dinesh Karthik who kept wickets. It allowed Karthik some useful match practice should Dhoni have to take rest at some stage in the tournament.

Takeaways from the #IndvNZ warmup game:
1. Jadeja builds his case stronger. Especially keeping Jadhav's injury in mind.
2. Number 4 is still OPEN
3. Hardik will be critical to India's chances
4. Bhuvi still behind Shami
5. Team doesn't view DK as a middle-order option yet

¡ª Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 25, 2019

Filling the ground to its 24,500 capacity, India's numerous supporters had begun pouring in even as the Men in Blue were warming up before the game. With Virat Kohli and Co. set to play Australia on June 9 at this iconic venue, fans will be hoping for a bit more sunshine and a flatter surface than what was on offer on Saturday.

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While Vijay Shankar and Kedar Jadhav missed this game due to injuries, the other batsmen got a feel of the tough batting conditions in England ahead of the big show. The team's first match is 10 days away, giving the team ample time to settle down and get a feel of the conditions. India consciously choose to bat first in the cloudy conditions, looking to test themselves in this kind of environment.

While seamer Jimmy Neesham took 3/26 in only six overs, the man who decimated the top order was left-arm paceman Trent Boult (4/33 in just 6.2 overs). Just around four months back, the Kiwi speed gun had destroyed India with a dream spell of 5/21 in identical conditions in Hamilton.

This time, Boult, backed up by three slips and a gully, began his assault by first dismissing India's star openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. For the umpteenth time, Rohit fell LBW to an inswinging delivery from a left-arm pacer, the bat coming down way too late and away from the line of the ball.

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The Indian vice-captain reviewed the decision but the umpire's call did him in. Dhawan was initially ruled not out before Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson reviewed the call successfully. The left-hander edged a ball which moved menacingly.

Playing at No. 4 in the injured Vijay Shankar's absence, KL Rahul lasted 10 balls before defending a slightly short delivery from Boult in a shaky manner, only to see the ball dragging on to the stumps.

Having walked in to massive cheers, skipper Kohli looked to unleash his typical cover drives but a Colin de Grandhomme delivery prised open a gap between ball and bat and shattered the stumps, as the batsman tried a nudge through midwicket.

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Riding on the form he showed in the IPL, Pandya came up with a fine counterattack, hitting pacer Lockie Ferguson for three fours in the 18th over. However, he too had no clue to a Neesham delivery which seamed away just a bit outside the off stump.

As both Dinesh Karthik then and Dhoni fell, it looked like India would not even touch 120. However, as the sun came out, Jadeja made merry against the spinners, carting left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner for two fours and a six in in the 30th over. With Kuldeep Yadav, Jadeja added 62 for the ninth wicket in 57 balls to give the bowlers something to bowl at.