What better start for New Zealand against India in the T20I series than by winning in Ranchi by 21 runs after losing the ODI series to India 3-0? On January 27, the Kiwis scored a respectable total of 176/6 thanks to 50+ scores from Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway.
In the second inning, the damp might facilitate easier at-bats. But it didn’t work out that way because the guests on Indian soil pressured India by taking three wickets during the power games.
Washington Sundar and Suryakumar Yadav did everything to track down the target, but they could not chase and catch up with the prey. Many instances in the game got spectators’ attention, and the following three are the best instances of them:
#3 Washington Sundar’s sensational catch
New Zealand’s powerplay got off to the fast start they needed, thanks to Finn Allen. The guests on Indian soil appeared to be headed for a huge victory. Washington Sundar, though, gave India control of the innings in just six balls.
Sundar threw the ball up after being struck for a six and caught Allen at deep mid-wicket. However, what caught people’s attention was his set-up for Mark Chapman. The turn Sundar received from the pitch at the speed he bowled was too much for the hitter to handle.
Sundar threw up the last delivery after facing three nearly unplayable ones. The southpaw could only lob the ball toward Sundar since he was outmatched in the flight. The bowler made a quick run to his right and made a breathtaking diving grab to put New Zealand immediately on the defensive. Talk about the proper planning and application.
#2 Arshdeep Singh’s costly no-ball
In the first T20I, Arshdeep Singh continued a pattern of too many errant no-balls that he had earlier admitted to committing. Arshdeep had the chance to end the innings by limiting the Kiwis to around 160 after only scoring 149/6 in their first 19 overs.
However, the left-arm seamer’s first delivery was a no-ball, and Daryl Mitchell threw the ball into the seats. Arshdeep made mistakes, and the batsman took advantage of them by scoring 27 runs in the final over. In the end, that turned out to be what separated the two sides and cost the Indian side the first game.
#1 Suryakumar Yadav’s wicket
The Kiwis’ decision to send back the dangerous Suryakumar Yadav decisively changed the outcome of the entire game. India’s innings were stabilized by SKY and captain Hardik Pandya from 15/3, and at one stage, it appeared as though they might lead their team to victory.
Even though Yadav did take his time to settle down on the challenging terrain, it seemed like he was back to his menacing best. Suryakumar Yadav chipped an Ish Sodhi delivery straight at long-on. He used 34 balls to score 47 runs.
The batsman was in disbelief because he had provided the crucial opportunity that New Zealand required, that one desperate wicket. And soon after, the wheels fell off India’s pursuit of Suryakumar Yadav’s wicket, and they continued to pick off wickets at regular intervals.
