IND vs NZ: 1st T20I Review – New Zealand humble hosts in Ranchi

Team India and New Zealand crossed swords in the first of the three-match T20I series at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Friday, January 27. The visitors were reeling from back-to-back losses to the rivals in the 50-over format as Team India completed a whitewash 3-0 in the three-match ODI series.

Opting to field first in the contest, the rival openers swiftly hit the ground running as Finn Allen wasted no time. In an attempt to get rid of Allen, Hardik sent in all-rounder Washington Sundar and quickly sent the opener back to the dugout for 35 off 23. He then took a sensational diving to get rid of Mark Chapman for a duck in the very same over.

Despite back-to-back dismissals, Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips constructed a vital partnership of 60 runs. That, coupled with Daryl Mitchell’s sublime half-century, steered the side to attain a competitive total of 176 runs in their stipulated 20 overs of the match.

India’s top order capitulates

In response, the Men in Blue required a couple of decent innings with a solid foundation laid by the openers to hand them the edge in the contest. However, the top-order failed to get a start as openers Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan along with Rahul Tripathi were dismissed in quick time for scores of 7, 4 and 0 runs respectively.

Following that was a brief rescue by Suryakumar Yadav and skipper Hardik, who constructed an all-important 68-run partnership before Suryakumar was sent packing for 47 off 34. The Kiwis capitalized on that as they got wickets in the next couple of overs to dent the Indian batting innings. India eventually handed the victory to the visitors by 21 runs and lost a T20I in Ranchi for the first time.

Top Performers from the match:

Daryl Mitchell:

The seasoned batter was adjudged Player of the Match for his sublime knock of 59 off 30, which included as many as five maximums and three boundaries. It came at a time when the visitors required strong innings and the likes of Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway pitched in at the right moment.

Washington Sundar:

Despite being on the losing front, the all-rounder showed heart in his game against the Kiwis in the first T20I. Not only did he scalp two wickets for mere 22 runs in his four overs but he was also in fine touch with the bat as he got a half-century.

What’s next for both teams?

India and New Zealand will face each other in the second T20I of the series at Ekana Sports City in Lucknow on January 29.