Key points
- New Zealand fast bowler Blair Tickner described the opportunity to play against Virat Kohli as “awesome” ahead of the second ODI in Wellington.
- Kohli scored 74 from 51 balls in the rain-affected first ODI in Auckland, which India won by five wickets under the DLS method.
- Tickner said New Zealand backed their skills to dismiss Kohli despite his impact in the series opener.
- Tickner acknowledged that New Zealand had not scored enough runs in the first match and said the team needed to improve with the ball as well.
- New Zealand were bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs in Auckland; India chased a revised target of 143 in 32 overs, reaching 143/5 in 22.4 overs.
- Devon Conway was ruled out for the remainder of the ODI series after suffering a concussion in a training-ground collision; Nick Kelly was brought into the squad.
- Tickner hoped the Wellington surface would offer extra bounce and movement to assist the bowlers.
New Zealand fast bowler Blair Tickner has described the chance to bowl against Virat Kohli as an “awesome opportunity” ahead of the second ODI against India in Wellington. Kohli made a decisive contribution in the series opener in Auckland, scoring 74 from 51 balls as India chased a rain-revised target to win by five wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
Tickner acknowledged that Kohli had put pressure on New Zealand’s attack while pursuing a modest target, but said the hosts remained confident of finding a way to dismiss the former India captain. With New Zealand trailing 1-0 in the five-match series, the fast bowler also stressed that his side needed to improve its batting and bowling performance.
Tickner welcomes the challenge of bowling to Kohli
Speaking ahead of the Wellington match, Tickner said Kohli had been in good touch and had taken control of the chase despite New Zealand’s efforts to create wicket-taking opportunities. The New Zealand pacer said his team continued to trust its skills and believed it could get the batter out in the next encounter.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to play against him, and hopefully we can get one over him soon,” Tickner said. His comments reflected the respect Kohli commands, while also underlining the competitive mindset in the New Zealand camp as it looks to level the series.
Kohli’s 74 in Auckland came from 51 deliveries and included a range of attacking shots against the New Zealand quicks. His partnership with Shubman Gill was particularly important after India lost Rohit Sharma early. The pair added 113 runs for the second wicket, putting India in a strong position before rain interruptions changed the target and the required number of overs.
New Zealand admit they need to improve
Tickner did not hide the areas New Zealand needed to address after the opening defeat. The hosts were dismissed for 185 in 40.2 overs, a total that proved insufficient once rain reduced India’s chase to 32 overs and the target to 143.
“You’d have loved to score more runs and put a little bit more pressure on them,” Tickner said, adding that New Zealand knew they had not made enough runs and could also be better with the ball. His assessment pointed to a need for a more complete performance rather than focusing only on the challenge of containing Kohli.
India’s seamers had made the most of the conditions in Auckland. Arshdeep Singh took four wickets for 70 runs, Gurnoor Brar claimed three for 44 and Anshul Kamboj finished with two for 22. Their combined effort restricted New Zealand before the Indian batters completed the revised chase in 22.4 overs.
Tickner himself contributed with the bat late in New Zealand’s innings, scoring 34 from 23 balls at No. 11. His knock included four sixes and helped add some late runs, but the lower-order resistance could not lift the total beyond 185.
Wellington conditions could offer help to fast bowlers
Tickner is hopeful that the surface at Hnry Stadium will provide more assistance to the pace attack. He referred to the bounce and movement available at the Wellington venue and said he would prefer conditions that give bowlers a chance to challenge batters rather than a high-scoring contest dominated by big totals.
The New Zealand bowler’s comments suggest the home side will look to use the conditions to apply pressure early and create opportunities against India’s top order. Kohli’s form makes him a central focus, but Tickner’s broader message was that New Zealand must execute better as a unit.
Conway absence creates an opening for Nick Kelly
New Zealand will also have to adjust to the absence of opener Devon Conway for the remainder of the ODI series. Conway suffered a concussion in a training-ground collision and was ruled out, with Nick Kelly brought into the squad as his replacement.
Tickner described Conway as an important member of the side but said the change created an opportunity for another player to step up. He expressed confidence that New Zealand had players capable of making the most of such chances, pointing to the team’s experience of managing injuries and replacements in recent seasons.
The second ODI therefore presents New Zealand with several tasks: find a more substantial batting total, make better use of the ball and adapt to a changed opening combination. For Tickner, the prospect of facing Kohli is one of the challenges that makes the contest significant. India arrive with a 1-0 advantage, while the hosts will look to turn their confidence into a stronger performance in Wellington.
Frequently asked questions
What did Blair Tickner say about playing against Virat Kohli?
Tickner described the opportunity to play against Kohli as “awesome” ahead of the second ODI in Wellington. He acknowledged that Kohli had put New Zealand under pressure in the first match but said the team still backed its skills to dismiss him in the next game.
How many runs did Virat Kohli score in the first ODI against New Zealand?
Kohli scored 74 runs from 51 balls in the rain-affected first ODI in Auckland. He shared a 113-run second-wicket partnership with Shubman Gill as India chased a revised target of 143 in 32 overs and won by five wickets.
What did Blair Tickner say New Zealand must improve before the second ODI?
Tickner said New Zealand needed to score more runs and apply greater pressure on India. He also acknowledged that the bowling could be better. The hosts were dismissed for 185 in Auckland before India completed the rain-revised chase with five wickets remaining.
Why will Devon Conway miss the remaining ODIs against India?
Conway was ruled out for the remainder of the series after suffering a concussion in a collision during training. New Zealand brought Nick Kelly into the squad as his replacement, creating an opportunity for another player to step into the opening role.
What kind of conditions is Blair Tickner expecting in Wellington?
Tickner is hoping the Hnry Stadium pitch will provide extra bounce and some movement for fast bowlers. He referred to the assistance available at the venue and said he would welcome conditions that give bowlers a chance to challenge batters.