India get their first ever win over NZ in T20I’s
After loosing the toss India were asked to bat first. Their was dew on the ground from the start so it leveled out the contest.
Indian openers gave India the perfect start with Shikhar Dhawan (80) taking on the Kiwi bowlers. Rohit Sharma (80) though started cautiously.
New Zealand are a good fielding side but they dropped a few catches uncharacteristically in the game. Shikhar was given a life on 8 while Rohit was given a life when he was on 16.
Kiwi pacers went for plenty and were destroyed by the Indian batsman. Trent Boult (49/1) and Tim Southee (44/0) were dominated.
India went on to record their highest first wicket partnership in T20I’s of 158 before the first wicket fell. Previous best was 136 between Gautam Gambhir and Virendra Sehwag.
Ish Sodhi (25/2) was the pick of the NZ bowlers as he struck twice in the 17th over dismissing Dhawan and promoted Hardik Pandya.
At the time it looked like New Zealand will restrict India under 200 but it wasn’t to be. Virat Kohli played an attractive cameo hitting three sixes partnering with Dhoni who hit a six as well.
India scored a highly competitive and their highest total against the Kiwis of 202/3 (20). It looked like an uphill task for New Zealand from here on.
The Black Caps failed to get to a blazing start and were starved of any momentum throughout their innings. Indian bowlers led by Ashish Nehra bowled very tight lengths.
Axar Patel (20/2), Yuzvendra Chahal (26/2) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (23/1) were the pick of the bowlers as they got batsman out on crucial times.
In the end India registered a comfortable 53 run win over NZ. It was a perfect farewell for Ashish Nehra, one of India’s finest bowlers.
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