NEW DELHI: When a team scores almost 350 runs batting first with one of their openers smashing a double hundred, it is almost a given that they are going to win the game, especially when the team chasing is in deep trouble at 131/6.
But then, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties. Enter a batsman who smacks the bowlers all around the park and gets his team agonisingly close to the target.
That's precisely what happened in the first ODI between India and New Zealand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
Powered by Shubman Gill's double century, India posted a formidable total of 349/8 and looked set for victory till Michael Bracewell slammed a blistering century to almost take the Kiwis to a famous win. India managed to squeeze out a narrow 12-run win.
So who is Michael Bracewell, the batter who struck New Zealand's third-fastest ODI hundred off only 57 balls as his side almost chased down the target?
Bracewell is a surname well-known in international cricket. Michael is the cousin of Doug Bracewell, who is also in the New Zealand squad on this India tour, but didn't play in the first ODI.
(AFP Photo)
Michael's father Mark played first-class cricket for Otago. Michael's uncles John and Brendon played Test cricket for New Zealand.
Michael Bracewell bats left-handed like his hero Adam Gilchrist and is also a right-arm off-spinner and can also keep wickets.
Michael made his international debut in March last year, 10 years after his maiden first-class appearance.
In only his fourth ODI, Michael had smashed an unbeaten 127 against Ireland to chase down 301 after New Zealand lost six wickets for 153 runs.
In the first ODI vs India on Wednesday, Michael put up a 162-run partnership with Mitchell Santner, who hit 57 of 45 balls.
Michael may have finished on the losing side, but his swashbuckling batting of 12 fours and 10 sixes has definitely won him many fans, just like his hero Adam Gilchrist.
Speaking after his epic innings, Bracewell said years spent in domestic cricket is helping him massively at the highest level.
"I would say most international cricketers are pretty motivated but the benefit that I have is that I was able to get experience in domestic cricket and understand the way that I want to play.
1/10:1st ODI: Shubman Gill's double ton helps India survive Bracewell blitz
TOI-Online
2/10:India beat New Zealand
Shubman Gill scored a brilliant 208 as India beat New Zealand by 12 runs in the first ODI despite a blistering century from Michael Bracewell in Hyderabad.<br /><br />TOI-Online
3/10:10th ODI 200
Opener Gill made just the 10th double hundred in ODI history. <br /><br />TOI-Online
4/10:India 349-8
Gill helped India post a formidable total of 349-8 after an innings spanning 149 balls and featuring 19 fours and nine sixes. <br /><br />PTI
5/10:Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma was the first man out for 34 and Virat Kohli soon followed for just eight after he was bowled by Santner. <br /><br />AP
6/10:Gill and Surya
Ishan Kishan was removed cheaply by Lockie Ferguson but Gill received timely support from Suryakumar Yadav (31) and Hardik Pandya (28). <br /><br />PTI
7/10:5 big hits
Gill went to his 150 off 122 balls before accelerating to strike another 58 off 27 deliveries, including five monster sixes.<br /><br />AP
8/10:ODI double century
Gill hit three straight sixes off Ferguson to bring up his double century before holing out to deep mid-wicket in the final over.<br /><br />AP
9/10:Youngest to ODI 200
Gill became the youngest batsman to score an ODI double hundred.<br /><br />AP
10/10:Fifth Indian to hit a ODI 200
Gill became the fifth Indian batsman to score a ODI double century after Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. <br /><br />AP"I came into international cricket sort of knowing this is how I am successful domestically and I am going to try and emulate that in international cricket.
"So far, there have been some patchy moments but when it comes off it feels pretty good. Unfortunately, could not get the team over the line tonight," said Michael after the game.
When Michael came to the crease in 29th over, New Zealand needed as many as 219 runs. However, he feels the dire situation worked in his favour.
"I think you are just trying to win the game of cricket really. It is just about coming in and trying to do your role. It sort of takes the pressure off when you are losing so many wickets. You just try and rebuild and not get too far ahead of yourself," he said when asked about his mindset while batting alongside Santer.
(AFP Photo)
"It is one of those things once you get over the line you start believing you can do it again. We watched Shubman bat for 50 overs and saw that it was a pretty good wicket. You could play your shots, especially down the ground looked pretty small straights.
"We were just talking about to give ourselves a chance and take the game deep. We did not really talk too much about winning the game at that stage but if you are able to do the ground work early you give yourself a chance at the back end. We were able to get close but unfortunately wasn't enough."
Besides a 100 first class games, Michael, who also has been effective with his off spin, has played a lot of T20 cricket in New Zealand. So, it wasn't a surprise that he played an ODI innings in T20 style.
"T20 has been a huge influence on one day cricket and that is what makes one day cricket so exciting. You can be in a position like we were in and you can still work your way up to a position of power. I don't think we got ourselves to a position of power but we got ourselves in a position where we could have won the game .
"The skills that players are learning in T20 cricket are hugely beneficial for the one day game," he reckoned.
Talking about cricketing tradition in the family, Michael said he is spoilt for choice when it comes taking advice but values his father's opinion the most.
(AP Photo)
"I talk to a whole of people about the game and keep it like a closed circle. My dad is probably the one I talk to the most. He gives great advice since I was 2.
"I certainly value his opinion more than anyone else but being away from home, the coaching staff at BLACKCAPS has been amazing and fantastic to bounce ideas off."
(With inputs from PTI)
