IND vs NZ : Shreyas Iyer sends Michael Bracewell packing with a rocket throw during Vadodara ODI

Table of Contents

India’s fielding standards touched another high in the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara on January 11. In a phase where every run mattered, Shreyas Iyer produced a moment of sheer brilliance in the deep. His sharp awareness and athletic execution turned the momentum firmly in India’s favour. The run-out of Michael Bracewell stood out as one of the defining moments of the visitors’ innings.

The decisive moment unfolded in the 43rd over, bowled by Harshit Rana, with New Zealand looking to accelerate at the death. Rana nailed a yorker-length delivery that Daryl Mitchell could only jam out towards long-on, setting off a risky second run. Bracewell responded immediately, knowing the importance of maximizing every opportunity in the final overs. Iyer, positioned near the boundary, anticipated the danger instantly and charged in without hesitation. His pick-up was clean despite the ball coming at pace, and in one fluid motion he unleashed a powerful throw aimed straight at the non-striker’s end.

The throw was flat, fast, and arrowed directly onto the stumps, leaving Bracewell with no margin for error. Even a dive could not save the New Zealand captain, who fell inches short of his crease. The crowd erupted as the replay confirmed what the naked eye had already seen, a perfect direct hit under pressure. It was the kind of dismissal that lifts the entire fielding unit, injecting fresh energy into the side. India sensed the shift immediately, tightening the screws in the remaining overs. That single act of brilliance not only removed a key batter but also sent a clear message about India’s intent in the field.

Commitment level: @ShreyasIyer15 🔥

Back from injury and giving his 💯 every single moment on the field! 👏#INDvNZ, 1st ODI LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/WbMZTXL0By

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 11, 2026

Also WATCH: IND vs NZ: Prasidh Krishna cleans up Mitchell Hay with a jaffa in the first ODI

The first ODI in Vadodara saw New Zealand post a highly competitive 300/8 in their 50 overs, recovering brilliantly after India threatened to derail their innings in the middle stages. Opting to bowl first at the brand-new Kotambi Stadium, India initially struggled to find a breakthrough as Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls navigated the new ball with relative ease.

The Kiwi openers put together a commanding 117-run stand, with both batters reaching well-constructed half-centuries that laid a solid foundation for a massive total. However, the introduction of Rana sparked a collapse, as the young pacer dismissed both openers in quick succession to bring India back into the contest. India’s spin twins, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, then tightened the screws, drying up the boundaries and causing a middle-order wobble that saw New Zealand slip from a position of strength to 237/6.

Just as the momentum seemed to favor the hosts, Daryl Mitchell took charge of the situation with a blistering counter-attacking knock of 84 runs off just 71 deliveries. Mitchell’s innings was a masterclass in modern ODI batting, as he frequently used his feet to the spinners and struck two massive sixes to keep the scoreboard ticking at a healthy rate. Even as partners like Bracewell and Glenn Phillips fell at the other end, Mitchell remained the anchor, ensuring the visitors crossed the 250-run mark.

A flurry of wickets in the death overs by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna briefly gave India hope of keeping the target under 280, but some late fireworks from debutant Kristian Clarke and Kyle Jamieson proved vital. In the final over, New Zealand squeezed out 14 runs to reach exactly 300, a total that hasn’t been chased often at this venue’s historic debut. For India, the pace trio of Rana, Siraj and Krishna finished with two wickets apiece, but they will rue a few expensive overs at the very end.

Also WATCH: IND vs NZ – Harshit Rana deceives Henry Nicholls with a stunning slower ball in 1st ODI