It was a clinical performance by the Men in Blue in the opening T20I at as they overwhelmed the Kiwis by 53 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. It was the farewell match of Ashish Nehra, and it was a fitting end to an international career which has lasted 18 years. To be playing for India in 2017 after going through so many surgeries during his career has been simply sensational.
Batting first India posted a mammoth 202 on the board at the end of their allotted 20 over. It was sublime hitting by the opening duo of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan as they shared a colossal stand of 158 runs for the opening wicket, Dhawan was the more attacking partner, to begin with as he cleared the boundaries a couple to times. Rohit played the supporting role and went berserk after crossing his half-century.
Both scored 80 and ensured the rest of the batsman had the licence to go after the bowling from the outset. Kohli smashed three sixes during his innings of 26 of 10 deliveries and looked in ominous touch. Dhoni also came and deposited his very first ball out of the park.
Chasing the big total, New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Hardik Pandya took a sensational catch to send back Martin Guptill and from there on it was a slide. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals as Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel made full use of the spin-friendly conditions in Delhi. Both bagged a couple of wickets while Bhuvi and Hardik and Bumrah also bagged a wicket each.
The Men in Blue eventually won by 53 runs after a late burst by Mitchell Santner who scored 27 of 14 deliveries.
Now here is what Virat Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony:
“Very clinical performance from the whole team. The wicket I felt was a bit damp. But the two guys at the top of the order set up the platform for us and were outstanding. We were very smart with the ball. The intensity was right up there. The catch from Hardik was one of the best I have seen in a long time. Dhawan wanted to do well in this format as his record is good in ODIs. He always wanted to transform the same form into T20Is. This knock is a testimony to the fact that what he can do. And he delivered. You need to back your top 5 batsmen along with MS. Hardik as number 6 and Axar at 7 gives us balance. This is something we might follow in the future as well. As a captain, you always need an extra bowling option. (About a pic when he received an award as a 13-year-old from Ashish Nehra in 2003) I was struggling to make it into my state side and now when he is retired I am the captain of the side. To keep coming back after the surgeries has been really tough for him. He deserved this kind of a farewell. He has a beautiful family and it is time for him to take care of them.”
