On Friday, India was defeated by New Zealand in the first T20I of the three-match series in Ranchi. Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell both hit half-centuries as New Zealand posted a tough 176 for six against India. Even Suryakumar Yadav and Washington Sundar’s outstanding performances were in vain as the men in blue were humiliated.
Conway, who had scored 138 in the third ODI in Indore, hit a 35-ball 52 after opening the innings, while Daryl Mitchell smashed a 30-ball unbeaten 59. When Indian bowlers chose to bowl, they struggled to get their line and length at first, allowing New Zealand to get off to a good start.
Finn Allen (35) looked in good form as he smashed Hardik Pandya for consecutive boundaries, while Arshdeep hit a juicy half-volley straight to the boundary. Conway also called out the left-arm pacer for a wide ball as New Zealand scored 23 runs in two overs. Washington Sundar, on the other hand, got a lot of purchase from the wicket and quickly dismissed Allen and Mark Chapman (0) in the space of five deliveries, reducing New Zealand to 43 for 2.
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While Allen paid the price for his daring, as he attempted to repeat the shot after a six, only to be caught by Suryakumar Yadav at deep midwicket, Chapman was undone by a flatter delivery, with Sundar taking the catch after diving full length to his right. Conway, on the other hand, kept it going with two fours and a six off Umran Malik’s only over, which bled 16 runs.
As New Zealand reached 79 for 2 in 10 overs, Hardik brought himself back and tried to mix his bowling, using more cutters and slower deliveries. As New Zealand reached 100 in the 13th over, Conway used the slog sweep and his feet to pick up boundaries off Kuldeep and Hooda. Kuldeep then struck with a googly as Glenn Phillips attempted a slog, only to be holed out at deep midwicket by Surya. After surviving two video referees for a caught behind and an LBW, Daryl Mitchell joined Conway and blasted Hardik for two maximums.
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Conway, on the other hand, reached fifty in the 16th over but was quickly dismissed by Arshdeep, who took the catch at long-off. As India appeared to be pulling back, Ishan Kishan ran out new man Michael Bracewell (1) and Shivam Mavi had Mitchell Santner (7) caught by Rahul Tripathi.
However, Arshdeep gave up 27 runs in the final over, with Mitchell clobbering him for three sixes and a four to turn the game around.
When it comes to the chase, India has struggled to find a foothold since the beginning. They lost early wickets and were 33/3 after both openers Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan, as well as Rahul Tripathi, were bowled out by the Kiwis. Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya took charge, but they were fired just as the game appeared to be changing.
With his all-round performance, Washington Sundar provided a ray of hope for India, but it was too late, and India’s required run-rate was skyrocketing. In the end, Umran Malik smashed a four just after Sundar was dismissed, and India was defeated.
Team India must now win the remaining two T20Is to claim the title.
(Inputs from PTI)
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