India defeated New Zealand by 53 runs in the first T20 International to not only register its first win over the Kiwis in the shortest format of the game but also gave the retiring Ashish Nehra a fitting farewell.

Chasing a daunting 203, New Zealand were off to a poor start as Martin Guptill departed in the very second over after Hardik Pandya took a stunning diving catch near the boundary rope. And even before the visitors could recover from that setback, Bhuvneshwar Kumar castled Colin Munro with a brilliant yorker, thus reducing them to 18 for 2. And by the time the tenth over started, the run rate was just hovering around six before Kane Williamson departed too, leaving his team reeling at 54 for 3.

In-form Tom Latham held firm from one and but wickets two more quick wickets all but sealed the fate of the game in India’s favour after the visitors were five down for 84 in the 13th over. By the time the Kiwis reached the three-digit mark, they were seven down. The visitors kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually restricted for 149 for 8.

Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma rode their luck to score half-centuries as India piled up a mammoth 202 for 3. Both the openers were dropped early in their innings, and they fully capitalised on it by adding 158 runs before Dhawan was dismissed for 80 by Ish Sodhi. Captain Virat Kohli then lighted up Feroz Shah Kotla with a stroke-filled knock of 26 to help the Men in Blue post a big total.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:

India reaping the benefits of playing five full bowlers, each of whom is the lead bowler for his franchise

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 1, 2017

T20s can be a lottery as we know, but this is a poor, poor show by NZ, no.1 ranked side in the world

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 1, 2017

https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/925767111024066561

https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/925766815585914883

https://twitter.com/GabbbarSingh/status/925758879857754112?

Romeo – Juliet

Heer – Ranjha

MSD – Stumpings#INDvNZ

— Manya (@CSKian716) November 1, 2017

When Axar Patel performs well consistently in LOIs, it forces us to ask a question that is he better than Jadeja? #INDvNZ

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) November 1, 2017

Indian players giving a perfect tribute to Ashish Nehra's entire career in 2 overs. A few good balls, some extras and dropped catches.

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) November 1, 2017

One of the best catches I have seen by an indian fielder, from the time I have been watching this glorious game #HardikPandya #INDvsNZ

— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) November 1, 2017

That was a blinder from Hardik Pandya. Running with a full length dive and having control over the ball. Top top effort.#indvsnzt20

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 1, 2017

Ashish Nehra bowling from Ashish Nehra End. What a legend.

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) November 1, 2017

Nehra 2 hi tarah ki bowling karta hai, ya toh dot nikaal deta hai, ya daant nikaal leta hai. #IndvsAus

— Rofl Gandhi 2.0 ? (@RoflGandhi_) January 26, 2016

https://twitter.com/mainbhiengineer/status/925745075304349697

This innings is the reason India like to pick Dhawan in spite of the stats.. When he gets going, he produces a big one.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 1, 2017

Next time supreme court will ban Rohit Sharma & Shikhar Dhawan in Delhi.

— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) November 1, 2017

india could have played 9 bowlers #INDvNZ

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) November 1, 2017

Tough conditions. Mix of dew and Kiwi tears. #INDvNZ

— cricBC (@cricBC) November 1, 2017

What irony:

The Ashish Nehra End on TV in his last match.#IndvsNZ

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) November 1, 2017

Gud luck my bro #Ashishnehra playing his last game 2day.jus enjoy as we did in this pic aftr winning th World Cup2011. Bhangra khich @BCCI pic.twitter.com/DDkqngSNf7

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 1, 2017