India vs New Zealand 2nd T20: India level series with seven-wicket win
The chase was set up by skipper Rohit Sharma (50 off 29 balls) in company of Shikhar Dhawan (30, 31 balls) with a 79-run opening stand
 "Rohit Sharma plays a shot. Photo: BCCI")
Rohit Sharma plays a shot. Photo: BCCI
Mahendra Singh Dhoni watched from the 22 yards distance as his heir apparent Rishabh Pant showed spunk in a tricky situation, guiding India to a comfortable seven-wicket victory against New Zealand in the second T20 International here Friday.
The chase was set up by skipper Rohit Sharma (50 off 29 balls) in company of Shikhar Dhawan (30, 31 balls) with a 79-run stand after Krunal Pandya got three wickets to restrict the hosts to 158/8. With whirlwind fifty, Rohit also became the top run-getter in the format, surpassing Martin Guptill.
Dhoni, the original master finisher couldn't have been happier as he saw Pant control what could have been a tricky 159-run chase chase with an unbeaten 40 off 28 balls. The series is now tied 1-1 with the decider in Hamilton on Sunday.
With the former India captain (20 no off 17 balls) playing the role of a mentor at the other end, the 44-run stand was very significant as Indian cricket slowly moves towards a change of guard in coming days.
Pant's one-handed six off Tim Southee or the bowler's back drive off Scott Kuggeleijn to finish off the match were reminiscent of Dhoni's best days. He hit four boundaries and a six in all.
The flicked six off Kuggeleijn over backward square leg was treat for the eyes but their dismissal along with Vijay Shankar's did create a bit of unrest but Pant ensured that they didn't press the panic button.
The innings would certainly help him make a strong case for being included in the World Cup squad.
Earlier, Krunal enhanced his already growing reputation as a steady short format bowler with three important breakthroughs as India restricted New Zealand to a below-par 158/8.
The parsimonious Krunal (3/28 in 4 overs) dismissed Colin Munro (12) and skipper Kane Williamson (20) to peg the Black Caps back early in the innings.
In between, Krunal also got the controversial wicket of Daryl Mitchell (1), who fell pray to an umpiring howler, when 'Hotspot' showed a clear inside edge onto the pads.
However, Colin de Grandhomme, who has played for KKR in the IPL, then counter-attacked, scoring a blistering 50 off 28 balls, adding 77 runs with Ross Taylor (42 off 36 balls) for the fifth wicket.
Once De Grandhomme was sent back to the dug-out by Hardik Pandya (1/36 in 4 overs) and Taylor was run-out, New Zealand's chances of a big total went up in smoke.
It was a much-improved performance by the Indian bowlers with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/29 in 4 overs) removing Tim Seifert (12) in the very third over with a fuller delivery, inducing an inside edge to Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind the stumps.
However, it was Krunal, who really applied the brakes after being brought inside the Powerplay overs.
The elder Pandya quickly found the ideal length, bowling his usual wicket to wicket deliveries with a flatter trajectory.
Both Munro and Williamson got skidders. While the left-handed opener Munro hit one straight to the cover, Williamson was caught plumb in-front.
However, it was the dismissal of Mitchell that once again raised the 'Spirit of Cricket' debate even though it was a clear case of an umpiring howler by TV umpire Shaun Haig.
Krunal angled one into Mitchell, who got an inside edge onto the pads. The on-field umpire adjudged him leg before and he promptly asked for DRS.
As the giant screen showed that a faint edge could be detected by Hotspot, to everyone's dismay, TV umpire Shaun Haig pressed the red button to signal out.
After that, it was left to India captain Rohit Sharma to call the player back but he didn't do so.
At 50 for 4, it was De Grandhomme, who took charge as he attacked Yuzvendra Chahal (0/37 in 4 overs), hitting him for a couple of sixes.
When he was just about threatening to take the game away, De Grandhomme smacked one straight to covers in skipper Rohit's hands.
India vs New Zealand 2nd T20 LIVE Scoreboard
2:57 PM![]()
2:48 PM![]()
Over 19: India 162-3 (win by 7 wickets)
Pant takes single. Dhoni takes one and Pant will hit the winning shot. Straight dirve for four. Indai win by 7 wickets.
2:44 PM![]()
Over 18: IND 156-3
India inching closer to vicotry. Nicely blocked by Dhoni. Two to end the over.
Score after 18 overs
IND 156-3
Runs Scored: 8
2 1 1 2 0 2
2:40 PM![]()
Over 17: IND 148-3
Dhoni plays a ferocious shot and gets one. What a shot for Six. Pant is on fire.
2:35 PM![]()
Over 16: IND 135-3
Sodhi continues, Awkward looking shot by Pant but he is safe as Ross fails to pouch it.
Score after 16 overs
IND 135-3
Runs Scored: 6
1 2 1 0 1 1
2:31 PM![]()
Over 15: IND 129-3
Dhoni makes his presence felt, hits one on the pads for four. Should be easy from here.
Score after 15 overs
IND 129-3
2:24 PM![]()
Over 14: IND 122-3
Daryl Mitchel is the bowler. Pant flicks one for four. Pressing the accelerator now. What a beautiful shot for six. Shankar got under it and wacked it for six. Miss hit by Shankar and he is gone. Caught in the deep. He goes for 18. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is in the field. Pant has again pulled for four.
2:21 PM![]()
Over 13: IND 107-2
What a shot by Vijay Shakar for four.
Runs Scored: 9
2 1 1 4 0 1
Score after 13 overs
IND 107-2
2:15 PM![]()
Over 12: IND 97-2
Pant hits a lovely four. Brillaint stuff.
Score after 12 overs
IND 97-2
Runs Scored: 9
2 1 1 4 0 1
2:09 PM![]()
Over 11: IND 88-2
Dhawan is gone. Dhawan c de Grandhomme b Ferguson 30(31) [4s-2].
2:04 PM![]()
Over 10: IND 83/1
Ish Sodhi gets Rohit Sharma.
1:56 PM![]()
Over 9: IND 77-0
Straight over the bowler's head for huge six. 50 for Rohit Sharma.
1:52 PM![]()
Over 8: IND 66-0
Rohit hits Sodhi for a 6. India at 64-0
1:51 PM![]()
India at 50-0 after 7 overs
India need 103 runs in 77 balls to win
1:43 PM
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Over 5: IND 42-0
Score after 5 overs
IND 42-0
Runs Scored: 9
4 0 4 1 0 0
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First Published: Feb 08 2019 | 10:05 AM IST
