Ranchi, November 18
India would hope to clinch the T20I series with an impactful batting performance when they take on New Zealand in the second match of the three-match series here tomorrow.
For new coach Rahul Dravid and new T20I skipper Rohit Sharma, there couldn’t be a better start than a series win against a team that has been India’s nemesis in ICC events — including the 50-over World Cup in 2019 and this year’s World Test Championships and T20 World Cup.
A superlative display by India’s top-order batsmen after controlled bowling in the last segment of New Zealand’s innings ensured a five-wicket win in the first T20I in Jaipur, ending India’s seven-match losing streak against New Zealand across the three formats. Sharma, before he gets a much-needed break from the game, would like to clinch the series here so that in the final T20I in Kolkata, the team could get into the contest in a relaxed state of mind.
In the absence of Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav made full use of the opportunity at No. 3 with a match-winning 62 off 42 balls in Jaipur. While there is no necessity to press the panic button, it must be said that scratchy batting by Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant messed up India’s chase, and from needing 23 off 24 balls, India were left to score 10 in the final over.
Iyer, back in Indian colours after nearly eight months, did look rusty as he found it difficult to middle the ball. He also didn’t look too keen to farm the strike with singles and twos when big shots weren’t coming off. He scored five off eight balls, but thanks to India’s healthy run-rate the chase did not go out of their hands. Sharma and Yadav were responsible for putting India on track with a stand of 58 off 49 balls, after Sharma and KL Rahul had added 50 off 31. Yadav’s precision hits delighted the capacity crowd at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium.
Lifeline for Bhuvi
The other big positive was the performance of senior bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravichandran Ashwin, who were brilliant in hitting the right areas.
With concerns over Bhuvneshwar’s form, the new management under Sharma and Dravid gave the veteran seamer a lifeline after he was dropped due to indifferent form in their loss against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. The 31-year-old delivered in style in Jaipur for a return of 2/24, second only to Ashwin’s 2/23. India’s bowling was brilliant at the death, conceding only 41 runs while taking three wickets in the final five overs.
“At one stage, it was looking like 180-plus (for New Zealand), so a great effort from a complete bowling performance. A good game for us, especially when we’re missing a few players,” Sharma said.
Having committed to giving his players a long rope, it is unlikely that Sharma will disturb the batting line-up after only one game, though in bowling, there could be a forced change as Mohammad Siraj suffered a split webbing in his left hand after being hit by Mitchell Santner in the final over of the New Zealand innings.
With dew becoming a factor in the evening, the toss could play a crucial role in a must-win match for the touring Black Caps. — PTI
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