INDIA: The JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi proved to be a spin-friendly venue on Friday, as New Zealand defeated India by 21 runs in the first T20I. The pitch offered turn and spongy bounce, making it difficult for batters to time their strokes.
However, the New Zealand team adapted well to the conditions, posting a strong 176 for six in their first innings. Suryakumar Yadav and Washington Sundar put up a resistance, but their effort eventually fell short.
New Zealand Inning
New Zealand reached a good total thanks to enterprising knocks from Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway and Finn Allen.
Pacers Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh struggled with the new ball, failing to hit the right areas and conceding too many full deliveries outside the off stump.
Once the Indian skipper bought Washington Sundar into the attack, the dominance of spin on the pitch became obvious.
Sundar kept a perfect length and tricker Allen to mishit a sweep to deep mid-wicket, where Suryakumar caught the offering.
Sundar foxed Mark Chapman in the same over with three flat skidders before bowling a flighted ball. Chapman prodded forward, offering a sharp return catch that Sundar took with a dive.
Conway kept batting with aplomb. He went onto one knee to negate the spinners. The southpaw departed in the 18th over, skying Arshdeep Singh to long-off.
Arshdeep’s reputation as a death-over specialist took a big hit in the final over, as he could not find the yorker length deliveries and ended up conceding 27 runs to Mitchell.
Indian Inning
Spinners Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner led the way for the Kiwis, dismantling the Indian chase with their impressive bowling performances.
Indian hopes of a win rested on Suryakumar Yadav, who looked comfortable during his 34-ball 47. His dismissal in the 12th over by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi put the home team in a difficult position.
Captain Hardik Pandya’s fall a few deliveries later sealed India’s fate. Washington Sundar hit a few big shots to notch up his maiden T20I fifty, but it was too late.
The Kiwis damaged the Indian chase early on when Santner, Bracewell and Jacob Duffy sent back the Indian top-order batters, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan and Rahul Tripathi, respectively, leaving India at 15/3.
Skipper and left-arm spinner Santner was particularly impressive, even bowling a maiden inside the Powerplay overs.
Daryl Mitchell won the Player of the Match award for his entertaining 59-run inning, which crushed the morale of the Indians.
Also Read: Shubman Gill Ties Babar Azam’s Record in the 3rd ODI against New Zealand
