After the batting failure in the first T20I, New Zealand needed one of their top-order batsmen to fire in the do-or-die second game, and opening batsman Colin Munro rose up to the occasion in style.
He lighted up the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot with a sizzling century to help his team level the three-match series.
Kane Williamson’s decision to bat first was justified by Munro and Martin Guptill, as they added 105 runs for the first wicket before Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed the latter. Kane Williamson failed to play big innings but Munro held firm from one end and reached his hundred off just 54 balls to help the team post a massive 196 for two in the allotted 20 overs. Munro remained unbeaten on 109 off 58 balls with the help of seven fours and as many sixes.
In reply, India never looked in contention to chase down the big total and were eventually restricted for 156 for seven. The Men in Blue were off to a disastrous start, as Trent Boult sent back both of their in-form openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma for single-digit scores in the very second over.
Virat Kohli tried to keep the team in hunt with a fighting fifty but lack of support from the other end and a disciplined bowling from the Kiwis did not allow the Indian innings to get the much-needed impetus required for the big chase.
Speaking after the game, Munro admitted luck was on his side and expressed his delight over the brilliant knock.
“Few chances went my way, but that’s T20 cricket, you need luck your way. Felt good with the bat, but had been getting out at funny times. Love batting at the top of the order. The way I and Guptill batted today, it was great. The way I bat, it is the same every time: when I am chasing a target of 120 or above 200. Get out there, stay still and try and hit the ball for four or six or if it is not there, get off the strike. It came off today, play the ball on its merit and swing hard,” he said at the presentation ceremony.