'Fitness Standard of Indian Cricket needs....' - Fans criticize the Indian team's fielding approach following defeat in first ODI against NZ

India and New Zealand locked horns in the first of the three-match ODI series at Eden Park in Auckland. The hosts won the toss and decided to bowl first at the seeming track of Eden Park. Batting first, the Indians posted a total of 306 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

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While chasing the target, the Kiwi team easily crossed the line and won the match by seven wickets. Indian fans were also furious over the fielding intent of Shikhar Dhawan & co and they took to Twitter to express their angst over the poor approach of the men in blue while defending the target.

Here’s how fans reacted to India’s defeat in the series opener against New Zealand:

Shardul Thakur
Rishabh Pant
.
Man Fitness Standard of Indian Cricket needs to Improve
First Captain Rohit Sharma needs to get Fit#NZvINDonPrime #NZvIND #NZvsIND #INDvNZ #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/5m0W3GZPkR

— THANOS (@VariantOfThanos) November 25, 2022

Most wins vs IND in men's ODI:

80 - Australia
73 - Pakistan
63 - West Indies
57 - Sri Lanka
50 - South Africa
50 - New Zealand*

New Zealand becomes 6th country to win 50 ODI matches against India in men's cricket.#NZvIND #NZvsIND

— SportsAmaze (@Sports_amaze) November 25, 2022

This is only the second time a team has successfully chased down a 300+ total at Eden Park. New Zealand chased 337 against Australia in February 2007. #NZvsIND #NZvIND #Cricket pic.twitter.com/0v5e6U0orm

— FAIZ FAZEL (@theFaizFazel) November 25, 2022

I might get dragged for saying this but ever since Virat Kohli has left captaincy, the fitness level has gone downhill.

Just look at Rishabh Pant, Shardul Thakur and Rohit Sharma himself. They need to shed some extra weights ASAP.#NZvsIND #INDvsNZ

— Avinash (@imavinashvk) November 25, 2022

टॉम लेथम (145) व केन विल्यमसन (94) यांच्या एका शानदार भागीदारीच्या बळावर न्यूझीलंडने भारताचा 7 विकेट्सने पराभव केला आहे.#NzvsINDonPrime #NZvsIND #ShreyasIyer pic.twitter.com/Fw0jcQMoj6

— एक क्रिकेटवेडा (@onlyforcricket0) November 25, 2022

Kiwis chased down 306 like this👇🏽 #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/YKpISfm7y1

— Rahul Ravindran (@23_rahulr) November 25, 2022

Arshdeep Singh supremacy ♥️#NZvIND #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/7CXZO8CT0z

— SAAD (@Fallen_x_King) November 25, 2022

Parledu Lyt thisukundam 😑#NZvsIND #crickettwitter pic.twitter.com/J7rSSc9LxW

— 𝐒𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐒𝐏𝐊™🚩 (@Srikanth_056) November 25, 2022

#Thakur .... #INDvNZ #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/MhCczauFvG

— Umang (@The_Solankii) November 25, 2022

Can easily fit in Rohit at the top with Dhawan, VK as usual comes in next then still keep Iyer, Gill and Samson, play Surya on occasion, stick to Washi - Siraj - Chahar - Kuldeep - Umran until Bumrah is fit and fine. Should be ready to keep Pant out that’s all #NZvsIND

— DJ CSK (Tamil Paiyyan) (@djcskchan420) November 25, 2022

Furthermore, speaking of the match, the Indian team posted a total of 306 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 50 overs. Other than Gill, skipper Shikhar Dhawan and middle-order batter Shreyas also played the crucial knocks of 72 and 80 runs respectively. Young all-rounder Washington Sundar also played a quick game of 37 runs off just 16 balls with three boundaries and three sixes to his name. Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson scalped three wickets each for the hosts in the first innings.

While chasing the target, riding on the brilliant 221-run partnership for the fourth wicket between skipper Kane Williamson and centurion batter Tom Latham, New Zealand comfortably managed to cross the line in 48^th over for the loss of only three wickets. Eventually, the Kiwis won the match by a margin of seven wickets.

Umran Malik was the only bowler for India to take 2 wickets. Other than him, Shardul Thakur was the one who took one wicket.

Senior Kiwi wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham won the ‘player of the match award for his match-defining knock in favor of the Kane Williamson-led Kiwi team.