Johannesburg, Sep 21 (Inditop.com) India’s tune-up to the Champions Trophy has hit a rocky note with the team losing to New Zealand by 103 runs in a warm-up game at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.
New Zealand Sunday did well to reach 301 for nine in 50 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat. Opener Jesse Ryder made 57 off 48 balls while Martin Guptill laid the foundation with his patient 63 from 79 balls.
Neil Broom scored a quick-fire 66 off 46 down the order as New Zealand posted a challenging total after being shocked by South Africa’s domestic side Warriors in their first practice game.
Yusuf Pathan was the most successful Indian bowler and returned with figures of three for 46 that also included the prized scalp of Guptill.
India were bowled out for 198 in 40.3 overs and the top three batsmen Dinesh Karthik (20), Rahul Dravid (37) and Suresh Raina (31) failed to convert the good starts into big innings.
Abhishek Nayar was the top scorer with a fighting 41 off 36 balls as the middle-order crumbled.
New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond and Jacob Oram bagged two wickets each.
The Champions Trophy starts Tuesday with South Africa taking on Sri Lanka at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
rounak