Kris Srikkanth, a former Indian cricketer, lavished admiration on New Zealand skipper Michael Bracewell following the Black Caps’ historic ODI series triumph in India. The all-rounder led New Zealand to their first bilateral ODI series victory on Indian soil, causing Srikkanth to query why no Indian Premier League (IPL) club bid for Bracewell before the 2026 season.
With usual skipper Mitchell Santner out due to injury, Bracewell was given the leadership role for the ODI leg and impressed with his calm captaincy and all-round performance. He had a quiet first ODI, scoring 16 runs and going wicketless in his eight-over performance. However, he had a huge influence in the second encounter, scoring 10-1-34-1 to help limit the hosts.
Bracewell also played an important role with the bat in the series decider, scoring an unbroken 28 to help New Zealand reach a competitive total.
While Srikkanth praised Glenn Phillips’ offensive century and shot selection during his 106-run knock, he cited Bracewell’s poise in the final overs as the deciding factor.
According to Srikkanth, Bracewell’s late contribution helped New Zealand increase their total from roughly 300 to around 330, which proved pivotal in clinching the series victory.
“No. 5 is the position for Glenn Phillips and he equally played well in the previous game. He didn’t play in the V and stuck to playing in long-on, mid-on and mid-off. Phillips did play the short-pitched delivery to mid-wicket but hit sixes straight. The wicket was superb and the ball was coming on well, so it was pinging off the bat,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
“Michael Bracewell’s knock was crucial too and it was the reason New Zealand jumped from 300 to 330. He hit sixes effortlessly. I don’t understand how no IPL team went for him. Bracewell couldn’t bowl due to some injury but I have no idea how no IPL team went for him. I don’t understand how IPL teams select their players,” he added.
Srikkanth also lauded New Zealand for posting an imposing total despite being reduced to 5/2 in just the second over of the innings. He highlighted the resilience shown by the middle order, which helped the visitors recover from the early collapse. Daryl Mitchell played a starring role in the turnaround, producing a superb 137-run knock that earned him the Player of the Match award. Mitchell’s consistency throughout the series was equally impressive, as he finished with 352 runs across three innings and was deservedly named Player of the Series.
“Hats off. New Zealand were 5/2 and then 3/58. They were only scoring at five runs per over and to make 277 from there, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell batted briskly in their 219-run partnership. They batted at a different level. Credit where its due. What a batting from Glenn Phillips! I haven’t seen an innings like that. It was a flat wicket but Phillips’ shots were outstanding. Phillips took some time to settle on and then started playing his shots,” said Srikkanth.
India
