New Zealand completed a clinical 21-run victory against an off-colour Indian cricket team on Friday at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. The bowling department of the Kiwis were the cynosure of all eyes as they tackled the dew factor at Ranchi and registered a comprehensive victory against the hosts.
Opting to bowl first, Hardik Pandya and his men leaked runs during their bowling. The opening stand of New Zealand in the form of Finn Allen and Devon Conway powered them to a good start in the powerplay. Daryl Mitchell flourished in the middle-order and gave the little push that New Zealand needed. He scored 59* in just 30 balls. Mitchell’s knock was packed with 3 fours and 5 sixes.
Arshdeep Singh leaked 27 runs in his final over
Arshdeep Singh and his affair with no-balls continued once again in this T20I and the young bowler conceded a no-ball in the final over. The 23-year-old conceded 27 runs in the final over and that ended up being the deciding factor of the game. Arshdeep conceded 51 runs in his 4 overs and took a solitary wicket in the game between India and New Zealand. His scalp was that of opening batter Devon Conway.
India’s top-order fell like a pack of cards
The likes of Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathi fell cheaply and this brought India’s run-chase to a major crisis. India was tottering at 15-3 and it needed something special to get them out of that deep hole. Surya Kumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya stitched a valuable partnership of 68 runs but both of them fell in successive overs and that nearly brought curtains to India’s chances in the game.
Washington Sundar gave India a glimmer of hope
Even though it was a mountain to climb, Washington Sundar’s exploits at the back-end of the innings gave India some sort of hope. But it was short-lived as none of the other batters failed to provide support to him. Sundar scored his maiden T20I fifty but it went in vain.
Mitchell Santner hogged the limelight with his stupendous bowling
The massive amount of turn which New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner was getting in the game made his bowling almost unplayable. Santner conceded just 11 runs in 4 overs and he also bagged 2 wickets to derail India’s batting department. Michael Bracewell and Lockie Ferguon too bagged 2 wickets each to seal the fate for India.
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