India vs New Zealand: Third T20I - New Zealand's Predicted XI

Riding on Colin’s Munro sizzling century, New Zealand thrashed India by 40 runs in the second T20I in Rajkot to level the three-match series 1-1.

Chasing a daunting 197, India was off to a disastrous start, as the in-form Shikhar Dhawan, who had bagged the Man of the Match award in the last game, was clean bowled by Trent Boult in the very second over for just one. Indian top order’s recent struggles against left-arm seamers were on display again, as just three balls later, Boult struck once again to send back Rohit Sharma, as India found itself reeling at 11 for two.

Shreyas Iyer, batting for the first time in international cricket, and skipper Virat Kohli then steadied the ship with a 54-run stand but New Zealand once again strengthened its grip on the game by dismissing Iyer and Hardik Pandya in quick succession to reduce the hosts to 67 for four. The Kiwi bowlers kept on bowling a probing line, not allowing the Indian batsmen to play their shots, as the Men in Blue huffed and puffed to 71 after ten overs.

Kohli along with Dhoni resurrected the innings but failed to accelerate, and as a result, the required run-rate just kept on mounting. The visitors than all but sealed the game in their favour when Mitchell Santner dismissed Kohli for 65 with the hosts needing 74 off the last 21 balls. The hosts kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually restricted for 156 for seven.

Earlier, Colin Munro’s brilliant century propelled the visitors to a mammoth 196 for two in the allotted 20 overs. The openers totally backed Kane Williamson’s decision to bat first, as the duo added 105 runs in 11 overs before the latter was sent back by Yuzvendra Chahal.

India threatened to derail New Zealand’s innings when debutant Mohammed Siraj dismissed Williamson cheaply, but Munro’s 54-ball ton kept them on track. The left-handed batsman remained unbeaten on 109 off 58 balls which was studded with seven fours and as many sixes.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:

https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/926850850349203456

https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/926851549233479680

 

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