India and New Zealand have decided to play a three match T20I Series post ICC T20 World Cup. India rested seniors like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul for this series and handed captaincy to Hardik Pandya. Rahul Dravid, Head Coach of India, also took rest and VVS Laxman became Interim Coach. India won the trophy despite third T20I becoming a Tie.
Going into the details, India and New Zealand did not get to play the first one due to rain. India won the second one, thanks to Suryakumar Yadav’s brilliant century. In the Third one, rain kept interruppting the match. New Zealand elected to bat first after winning the toss. India pacer Arshdeep Singh sent Finn Allen early and Mark Chapman (12) also got out to Mohammad Siraj. Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips came together and put on 86 runs partnership, almost taking game away from India. Glenn Phillips got out when New Zealand needed to accelerate in 16th over at 130 runs on board. He scored 54 runs off 33 balls. Devon Conway scored 59 runs off 49 and got out with score at 146 in 17th over.
Right then, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammad Siraj roared for India again. Both took 4 wickets each and Mohammad Siraj (4/17) left an impression on everyone. Yorkers of Arshdeep Singh (4/37) made many to watch them on loop. Harshal Patel (1/28) finished the New Zealand innings. New Zealand lost 6 wickets for 3 runs, India reduced them from 146/3 to 149/9. After that collapse they ended the innings on 160 all out in 20th over.
Rishab Pant and Ishan Kishan opened for India. Rishab Pant (11) wanted to slog every ball and got out to Tim Southee. Ishan Kishan (10) got out before him unable to score freely. India lost 2 wickets with 21 on board. Tim Southee immediately got Shreyas Iyer for a duck and reduced India for 21/3. Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya looked to keep the momentum going. Suryakumar Yadav (13) failed and Hardik Pandya (30) still kept scoring with rain coming around. Deepak Hooda (9) gave him company. Rain intensified with India at 75/4 in 9 overs.
As further play looked impossible, India and New Zealand have agreed to TIE the match according to DLS method. Had India scored 74, they would have lost it. If they scored 76, won it. As India won the second T20I comprehensively, they got the trophy as winners of the bilateral series with 1-0 scoreline. Now, India and New Zealand will play three ODIs and Kane Williamson will return to the team.
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