New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell entered the ODI series against India with renewed responsibility and confidence. After recovering from a long injury layoff in 2023–24, Bracewell returned strongly in 2025 and has continued to grow as a dependable all-rounder in both white-ball and red-ball formats.
In 2023, he stunned the cricketing world with one of the greatest ODI knocks ever seen against India — a breathtaking 140 off 78 balls in Hyderabad. His fearless hitting, range of strokes, and ability to attack spin make him a genuine threat in subcontinental conditions.
Now leading a young Kiwi squad, Bracewell’s experience in the middle order and his reliable off-spin became even more crucial during the 2026 India ODI series, which concluded recently on January 18 in Indore.
Michael Bracewell vs India – ODI Batting Stats (Overall)
| Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 7 | 2 | 287 | 140 | 57.40 | 128.04 | 1 | 1 |
What stands out
- Explosive strike rate of 128+, showing his six-hitting ability.
- The iconic 140 off 78 balls remains one of the best ODI innings vs India.
- Averages over 57 — remarkable for a middle-order batter.
- Confident against both spin and pace, especially in Asian conditions.
Also see: IND vs NZ ODI Head-to-Head Records and Stats
Michael Bracewell – ODI Innings vs India (Match-by-Match Record)
| Date | Ground | Batting Position | Runs | Balls | SR | How Dismissed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Nov 2022 | Seddon Park | – | – | – | – | Did not bat |
| 18 Jan 2023 | Hyderabad | 7 | 140 | 78 | 179.49 | lbw b Shardul Thakur |
| 21 Jan 2023 | Raipur | 7 | 22 | 30 | 73.33 | c Ishan b Shami |
| 24 Jan 2023 | Indore | 7 | 26 | 22 | 118.18 | st Ishan b Kuldeep |
| 2 Mar 2025 | Dubai | 7 | 2 | 3 | 66.67 | lbw b Varun Chakravarthy |
| 9 Mar 2025 | Dubai | 7 | 53 | 40 | 132.50 | Not out |
| 11 Jan 2026 | Vadodara | 7 | 16 | 18 | 88.88 | run out (Iyer) |
| 14 Jan 2026 | Rajkot | – | – | – | – | – |
| 18 Jan 2026 | Indore | 7 | 28 | 18 | 155.55 | Not out |
Michael Bracewell vs India – ODI Bowling Stats (Overall)
| Matches | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Strike Rate | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 54.0 | 329 | 5 | 2/28 | 65.80 | 64.8 | 6.09 |
What stands out
- Not a frontline bowler, but delivers disciplined middle-overs spells.
- Best figures 2/28 (Dubai) included wickets of Kohli and Axar.
- Economy close to 6.00, showing good control.
- Uses dip, drift, and smart lengths rather than big turn.
Also see: India vs New Zealand ODI Squad 2026
Michael Bracewell – ODI Bowling vs India (Match-by-Match)
| Date | Ground | Overs | Figures | Key Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Nov 2022 | Seddon Park | 2.0 | 0/18 | – | 9.00 |
| 18 Jan 2023 | Hyderabad | 6.0 | 0/43 | – | 7.63 |
| 21 Jan 2023 | Raipur | 2.0 | 0/13 | – | 7.40 |
| 24 Jan 2023 | Indore | 6.0 | 1/51 | Rohit Sharma | 7.81 |
| 2 Mar 2025 | Dubai | 9.0 | 0/56 | – | 7.24 |
| 9 Mar 2025 | Dubai | 10.0 | 2/28 | Virat Kohli, Axar Patel | 5.97 |
| 11 Jan 2026 | Vadodara | 8.0 | 0/56 | – | 7.00 |
| 14 Jan 2026 | Rajkot | 10.0 | 1/34 | Harshit Rana | 3.40 |
| 18 Jan 2026 | Indore | 1.0 | 1/30 | Kuldeep Yadav | 30.00 |
Why Bracewell Is Dangerous Against India
Michael Bracewell’s strengths align perfectly with the challenges India presents:
- Fearless hitter who attacks spin relentlessly
- Game-changer between overs 20–40
- Useful off-spinner capable of tight spells
- Captaincy boosts confidence and decision-making
- Composed under pressure
With New Zealand fielding a young squad, Bracewell’s all-round value becomes even more important. His form with both bat and ball heavily influences the team’s momentum.
Michael Bracewell’s ODI record against India shows a high-impact middle-order batter capable of turning matches single-handedly. His 140-run epic in Hyderabad and a recent unbeaten 28 off 18 in Indore prove he remains a major threat.
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