New Zealand bowlers came up with yet another disciplined bowling performance as the world number one T20I side restricted India to 67 for 5 in the rain-curtailed third and final game in Thiruvananthapuram which has been reduced to 8 overs per side.
After being asked to bat first, Indian openers- Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma were well contained by Trent Boult in the very first over as the duo collected seven runs. With the rain not allowing the batsmen to play the shots, the duo failed to get going and were dismissed off consecutive balls by Tim Southee in the third over with just 15 runs on the board.
Virat Kohli hit a four and a six in the fourth over bowled by Ish Sodhi but perished in the same over while trying to play a big shot. Manish Pandey played some big shots to accelerate the run-rate, but the hosts suffered yet another setback when Ish Sodhi accounted for Shreyas Iyer for just 6. By the time the sixth over ended, India huffed and puffed to 50 for the loss for four wickets. The Men in Blue eventually managed to put up 67 in the series-decider.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:
New Zealand's fielders have a better understanding than most couples these days. #IndvNZ
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 7, 2017
Mitchell Santner, you beauty! Making up for all the drops earlier
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/927935435350843392
Mitch Santner is back baby!!!! #catchit #INDvNZ
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) November 7, 2017
It is not the wicket to come down if the ball is not coming on. Iyer has disappointed twice in two games.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 7, 2017
Ish Sodhi being slammed by Kohli.
Hardik Pandya right now:- pic.twitter.com/bro5mt9TN0
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) November 7, 2017
Class. Class. Class – difference between @imVkohli and the Rest #IndvNZ
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 7, 2017
One shot too many #INDvNZ
— srikrishna ?? (@1998Srikrishna) November 7, 2017
Looking good now. Hopefully an 8 over game? Great atmosphere here, deserve to get a game
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 7, 2017
Love the spirit of the ground staff here and the enthusiasm of the crowd. Hope we can squeeze in a shortened game of 5-8 overs.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 7, 2017