- Wednesday, April 24, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIA failed to reverse their ordinary record against New Zealand in ICC tournaments as they lost a crucial Group 2 game against the Kiwis by 8 wickets to reach the edge of elimination. The former champions had a horrendous show with the bat which saw the Black Caps winning the match with almost six overs to spare.
India, who brought in Ishan Kishan in place of an injured Suryakumar Yadav for the game played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the United Arab Emirates, were asked to bat first by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson after he won the toss.
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Kishan was the first to fall (four off eight balls) and after KL Rahul perished for 18 off 16, the Indian top order was found to be shaky. Rohit Sharma, who came in at No.3 as Kishan opened the innings with Rahul, fell after scoring 14 off 14 while trying to escalate and captain Virat Kohli (9 off 17) followed soon, leaving India reeling at 48 for 4 in the 11th over. A couple of 20s from Hardik Pandya (23 off 24) and Ravindra Jadeja (26 not out off 19) saw India going past 100 but they settled for 110 for 7, leaving a moderate asking rate for the Kiwis to win.
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Trent Boult finished with 3 for 20 while spinner Ish Sodhi took 2 for 17 in their respective four overs. Tim Southee and Adam Milne took a wicket each.
New Zealand lost Martin Guptill early on 20 off 17 but his opening partner Daryl Mitchell made 49 off 35 and Williamson made 33 not out off 31 to add 72 runs for the second wicket in nine overs to take the Kiwis close to the target. Williamson and wicket-keeper-batter Devon Conway added the remaining runs to give their side a crucial win.
For India, both wickets were picked by pacer Jasprit Bumrah who finished with the figures of 2 for 19 in four overs.
Sodhi, who is India born and became the first bowler to dismiss Kohli three times in T20s, was picked as the man of the match.
