Watch! Controversy erupts as Hardik Pandya is given out in controversial circumstances

India and New Zealand began their 3 match ODI series as they played the 1st of 3 games at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad. Both the teams are coming into the series back of an ODI series win. India had beaten Sri Lanka by a convincing margin of 3-0. New Zealand on the other hand had beaten Pakistan in their home patch with a 2-1 margin. The kiwis come into the series with Kane Williamson being rested for the series.

The story as it happened –

India won the toss and chose to bat first as they made 3 changes from the last game. Ishan Kishan came in for KL Rahul while Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur made their comeback into the Indian side. This was Thakur’s 1st ODI of the year after being rested post the New Zealand tour.

Pandya falls in controversial manner –

Daryl Mitchell was bowling to Hardik Pandya in the 4th ball of the 40th over with the Indian vice captain on 28. Pandya went for a late cut as the Kiwis erupted in joy after the bails fell off. Kiwi skipper Tom Latham asked Pandya to wait as the umpires went up to check it. There was no edge on the bat but the 3rd umpire deemed Hardik Pandya out bowled despite their being a doubt if Latham had got his gloves to the bails before the ball could dislodge the bails.

Shubman Gill survives a close call –

Just an over later, Shubman Gill who was already past his century was in the middle of another confusion. There was an appeal when the Kiwis found that one of the bails had fallen off with Gill batting well. The umpires went up to check and found that Latham had this dislodged the bails and Gill wasn’t in any way shape or form out hit wicket.

Rohit and Kohli fail to fire –

Rohit Sharma again got a good start as he scored 34 off 38 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Rohit was caught by Mitchell off the bowling of Tickner to give the kiwis their 1st wicket. Kohli who scored 166 not out on Sunday was out for 8 when he was bowled by Mitchell Santner.