New Zealand vs India: India seal series 1-0 after rain forces a tie in 3rd T20I in Napier
India managed to win another T20I series against New Zealand even as the third and final match of the series.
In Napier was washed out due to rain, leading to a rare tie. India were 75 for 4 at the end of 9 overs, chasing a par total of 161 when the rain started belting down at McLean Park on Tuesday, November 22.
India were at par with the DLS score of 75 and hence the 3rd T20I ended in a tie. India need to have scored more than 75 runs at the 9th over the mark to win the match. Nonetheless, India won the series 1-0 after having clinched a 65-run win in the 2nd T20I in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
The 3rd T20I was decided by the ‘barest of margins’ as left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner misfielded and helped India seal an extra run in the final delivery of the 9th over, which eventually proved costly.
Hardik Pandya led the charge in the chase after India were jolted by Tim Southee and Adam Milne in the powerplay. India lost Rishabh Pant, who threw the kitchen at everything against Southee in the powerplay. The wicketkeeper-batter failed to make use of another opportunity in T20Is, managing just 11 off 5 balls.
On the other hand, Ishan managed just 11 off 12 balls, failing to give India a good start in the powerplay.
Shreyas Iyer went out for a first-ball duck as Tim Southee used the bouncer to good effect against the Kolkata Knight Riders who has been found wanting against short balls.
India were not able to get a Suryakumar Yadav show in Napier as leg-spinner Ish Sodhi snuck him out in his first over.
However, captain Hardik did not back down and came up with a stunning counter-attack, scoring 30 off just 18 balls, hitting 3 boundaries and a six. Deepak Hooda was unbeaten on 9 along with Hardik when rain started pouring down in Napier.
Even as the rain stopped 20 minutes after the break, the umpires decided that the outfield was not fit for resumption, leading to a tie.
SIRAJ SHINES AGAIN
Earlier in the day, India fast bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj put on a stunning show, picking up 4 wickets each. In the absence of Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips hit fifties after Finn Allen and Mark Chapman failed early.
Conway (59) and Phillips (54) set a wonderful platform with an 86-run partnership for the 3rd wicket. However, New Zealand were not able to build on it, imploding to 160-all out.
New Zealand lost their last 7 wickets for just 14 runs.
Siraj was the star of the show as he finished with figures of 4 for 17 to go with his 2 for 24 in the 2nd T20I.