The Indian cricket team has established its dominance in a tremendous manner in the T20 series against New Zealand. After the disappointment in the ODI series, India settled its score with New Zealand in the T20 format.
In the match played on Sunday 25 January, Team India registered a spectacular victory for the third consecutive time. With this, India has taken an unassailable lead in the 5-match series. With this victory it also became clear that even if New Zealand wins the remaining two matches, the trophy will still remain with India.
Great bowling by India, New Zealand restricted to 153
After winning the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav decided to bowl first, which proved to be completely right. From the very beginning, the Indian bowlers put pressure on the Kiwi batsmen. Harshit Rana and Hardik Pandya put New Zealand on the back foot by taking wickets in the first two overs. After this, Jasprit Bumrah took the wicket on the very first ball.
Within a short time, New Zealand’s condition worsened and the score reached 112 runs for 6 wickets. Captain Mitchell Santner showed some fight in the end and took the team to 153 runs, but this score did not seem enough considering the Indian batting.
India got initial setbacks
The Indian team, which came to chase the target of 153 runs, got a setback in the first over itself, when Sanju Samson was out on the ball of Matt Henry. After this, Ishan Kishan played some attractive shots, but he also returned to the pavilion after scoring 28 runs. For a time the match seemed equal and New Zealand seemed hopeful of a comeback.
Only 6 balls changed the match
This is where the real turning point of the match came. The sixth over of the innings, i.e. the last over of the powerplay, was entirely in India’s name. Abhishek Sharma wreaked havoc on bowler Jacob Duffy in this over. He scored 22 runs in just 6 balls, which included two sixes and two fours.
India’s score, which was 72 runs after 5 overs, suddenly reached 94 runs. These six balls not only changed the course of the match but also broke New Zealand’s morale.
The result of the series was decided 6 days in advance
The New Zealand team was hoping to win this match and stay in the series, but the aggressive batting of Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav ruined their dreams. With this win, India has taken a 3-0 lead in the series.
Now that the last match of the series is to be played on January 31, even before that it has become clear that the T20 series has gone to India.