Follow UsWhen Glenn Phillips was castled by Varun Chakaravarthy in the 38th over, the Kiwis’ score read 165/5. Though Daryl Mitchell was there, set, it looked like the BlackCaps might struggle to even cross 230.
However, an outstanding cameo from Michael Bracewell helped New Zealand not just cross 230 but post a very competitive 250/7.
Walking in at No.7, Bracewell looked all at sea against Kuldeep Yadav early on. He was, in fact, almost castled by a wicked googly. However, the left-hander hung in there, saw the spinners out and eventually took on the pacers. His strategy paid off big time as he finished with 53* off just 40 balls.
By getting to his half-century, Bracewell ended up managing a very rare feat as he became only the second batter in history to score a fifty batting at No.7 and below in ICC ODI Finals. The only other batter to have achieved this feat? Hardik Pandya in the 2017 Champions Trophy Final against Pakistan, where he smashed 76 in a losing cause.
On the back of this knock, Bracewell now averages 60.75 at a strike rate of 140.46 against India in ODIs. In January 2023, the left-hander played one of the most extraordinary knocks in ODI history when he hammered 140 off 78 balls against India in Hyderabad, where he hit 12 fours and 10 sixes. However, on that occasion, New Zealand ended up losing the clash.