On Sunday, India managed to clean sweep New Zealand as they went on to win the fifth and final T20I match at Bay Oval by seven runs. After facing the defeat in the world Cup semifinals, India might be relieved after the victory in the convincing T20I series. While this was the biggest series loss for New Zealand against India.
With Virat Kohli being rested for the fifth T20I match, India’s vice-captain Rohit Sharma was handed over the captaincy duty. However, he was retired hurt between the game. Thus, further, KL Rahul was given the role to lead the team.
India elected to bat first:
As India won the toss, the captain decided to face the challenge of batting first. Rahul and Sanju Samson were the openers for India’s innings. Unluckily, Samson again missed the opportunity while losing his wicket within a second over. He ended up giving the simple catch to Mitchell Santner, who has the safest hands in the New Zealand team.
Thereon, Rohit Sharma and Rahul took the charge of the game before the latter lost his wicket in 11th over. Rahul missed the half-century, scoring 45 runs. While the “Hitman” didn’t stop his bat. But unfortunately, in the 17th over, he has limped off the ground because of a cramped leg. Rohit scored 60 runs off 41 balls, striking three sixes and three fours respectively.
The middle-order batter Shivam Dube (5), Shreyas Iyer (33*) and Manish Pandey (11*) contribution led the Team India to set the target of 164 runs at the loss of three wickets.
Derailing New Zealand:
New Zealand had a really bad start with opener Martin Guptill (2) and Colin Munro (15) losing wickets within three overs. The wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert handled the New Zealand innings while stitching up a partnership with Ross Taylor, who played his 100th T20I at Bay Oval. But soon after scoring a half-century Seifert lost his wicket to Navdeep Saini.
Shivam Dube proved to be the most expensive player for India. As he bowled only one over, he conceded 34 runs. While Washington Sundar having a good start after picking the wicket of Colin Munro.
Navdeep Saini gave the biggest breakthrough to the Indian team. He picked the wicket of set batsman Ross Taylor (53*). Pacer Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini and Jasprit Bumrah picked two wickets each. But, at the same time, Yuzvendra Chahal went wicketless.
India’s innings:
New Zealand innings:
India, after registering the win in the T20I series, will head to play the three-match ODI series scheduled from 5 February.