India became the first country to win T20I World Cup. But, even in 2007 campaign when their only loss came against New Zealand. Since then they played 5 more T20I matches, 2 each in 2 bilateral series and the last one in 2016 T20 World Cup at home. But, the Kiwis did not lose any. In fact, in their last match the strong Indian team was bowled out for only 79, their third below 100 scores in the shorter format. But, after a long wait in farewell of Nehra, who is the only bowler from both teams to bowl a maiden in 7 T20Is, Kohli’s squad finally crossed the barrier and how!! What a dominant win!!
India vs New Zealand T20I record
New Zealand in India 2017 Bilateral Series Schedule and Results
The match was known as Farewell match for Nehra, who retired after playing 18 years of International Cricket. Retiring at his home, insidentally Nehra is the only bowler from both teams to have bowled a maiden over in their first 7 T20I matches.
As the World No. 1 team confident of chasing any score under dew decided to field, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, who manages single digit score when they opened in 2016 World Cup against the same opponent as India sank for 79 runs, scored 80 runs each to get India’s biggest T20I partnership for any wicket of 158 runs in 16.2 overs. While Dhawan scored 52-ball 80 runs with 10 fours and 2 sixes, Rohit Sharma took 3 balls more to score 55-ball 80 runs with 6 4s and 4 6s.
Dhawan was the first to fall and his wicket brought Hardik Pandya instead of local lad and Indian captain Kohli. But, unfortunately he became the 9th batsman in their bilateral meets to be out on a duck. After that Kohli decided only to talk in sixes and quick runs scoring unbeaten 11-ball 26 runs with 3 6s and facing only 2 balls even Dhoni joined the fun scoring unbeaten 7 runs with a six.
202/3 was the first 200+ total in India vs New Zealand T20I matches. Based on past record against India, their World No. 1 ranking and deep batting, Kiwis were still the favorites to chase. But, Nehra who opened the bowling with Chahal did not let them loose.
Guptill (4) was the first to fall, to Chahal. Other opener Munro (7) was bowled by Bhuvneswar Kumar. Captain Williamson (28) and Tom Latham (39) added 36 runs but as the required run rate kept increasing the pressure to score faster saw Kiwis losing wickets faster. Bruce (10), Grandhomme (0), Nicholls (6), Southee (8) returned to pavillion in search of quick runs. Unbeaten Santner (14-ball 27 with 2 fours and 2 sixes) and Ish Sodhi (11) added 38 runs but by then they were already out of contention.
Dhawan was declared player of the match.
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