WATCH: Skipper Hardik Pandya hands over trophy to Prithvi Shaw after series win

India won the just concluded T20I series against New Zealand 2-1 with a stunning victory in the third match on Wednesday in Ahmedabad. The match was always in India’s hands, with Shubman Gill making his first century in the sport’s shortest format and skipper Hardik Pandya capturing four wickets to dismiss the Kiwis for 66. Following the match, Pandya was presented with the series trophy, which he swiftly gave over to Prithvi Shaw. Shaw was apparently shocked to receive the trophy in a video broadcast by the BCCI on Twitter, but he went on to celebrate the triumph with the rest of the squad as they posed for official shots.

Captain @hardikpandya93 collects the @mastercardindia trophy from BCCI president Mr. Roger Binny & BCCI Honorary Secretary Mr. Jay Shah 👏👏

Congratulations to #TeamIndia who clinch the #INDvNZ T20I series 2️⃣-1️⃣ @JayShah pic.twitter.com/WLbCE417QU

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 1, 2023

Hardik Pandya had previously been criticized on social media for not giving the youngster a chance in the series. Returning to the act, the video shows Pandya receiving the trophy from BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and President Roger Binny only to pass it over to Shaw.

India defeated New Zealand by 168 runs, the largest win by a Full Member over another in men’s T20Is. Team India won the three-match T20I series 2-1 with this victory.

Daryl Mitchell led the way for New Zealand, scoring 35 goals in 25 attempts. While India captain Pandya shone with both bat and ball, scoring a critical 30 off 17 balls and taking four wickets for just 16 runs in four overs.

Shubman Gill scored highest run for India with 125 runs off 63 deliveries, while Rahul Tripathi smashed 44 and Pandya played fast knocks of 30. Michael Bracewell, Blair Tickner, and Ish Sodhi each took one wicket for New Zealand.

India lost their standout opener Ishan Kishan in the second over of the game after electing to bat first. Shubman Gill hit a boundary to end the second over. Gill then blasted Lockie Ferguson for 11 runs, including two fours.

In the 18th over, India reached 200 runs. Gill then scored 17 runs off Lister in the 19th over of the inning. Daryl Mitchell dismissed Pandya, bringing an end to his time at the crease. Pandya returned to the pavilion after scoring 30 off 17 deliveries.

India scored 6 runs in the last over to set a competitive total of 234/4 in 20 overs.

Also Read: Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya dazzle as India records historic win over New Zealand in 3rd T20I, win series 2-1