IND vs NZ: Three most memorable T20Is
T20 cricket often produces exciting cricket for the spectators and it is never a dull affair when India and New Zealand lock horns in the shortest format of the game. On that note, here are some of the best T20I matches played between the two sides.
India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I, 29th January 2020
India traveled to Wellington to take on hosts New Zealand for the third match of the T20I series after winning the first two matches. Virat Kohli’s India batted first in the match and posted a competitive total of 179 runs on the board, thanks to Rohit Sharma’s brisk 65 off just 40 deliveries at the top of the order. The Kiwis made a bright start to their chase in hopes of keeping themselves alive in the five-match series, but their chances looked grim after losing both the openers in quick succession. However, skipper Kane Williamson played one of the best innings of his T20I career, registering 95 off just 48 deliveries to drag his side to the cusp of victory. But the Indian bowlers halted the Kiwis’ progress as the match ended in a tie, resulting in a Super Over. New Zealand set India a target of 18 runs after milking Jasprit Bumrah for 17 in the Super Over. With ten needed off the final two deliveries of the Super Over, Rohit smashed consecutive sixes to hand India a memorable series victory after a thrilling encounter.
India vs New Zealand, 4th T20I, 31st January 2020
Following a humdinger just 48 hours ago, India and New Zealand locked horns yet again in Wellington with the series already decided in favour of the visitors. India batter first again and ended up with 165 runs on the board on the back of Manish Pandey’s combative half-century. New Zealand were on their way to their first victory in the series after Colin Munro’s explosive innings in the chase, but it was a deja vu for the hosts as they failed to get over the line for a second successive game. The viewers and experts were left stunned as India and New Zealand headed into a second successive super-over finish of the five-match series. And India, like they did in the previous game, kept their cool, triumphing in the Super Over.
India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I, 7th November, 2017
New Zealand travelled to Thiruvananthapuram for the third and final T20I of the series with the series at level pegging. The rain-curtailed affair saw India bat first in the match and score 67 runs after their allocated eight overs. Chasing a historic series win on Indian soil, the Kiwis lost both their openers cheaply. The outcome felt like a foregone conclusion when Blackcaps skippers Williamson and Glenn Phillips were dismissed on successive deliveries. However, a late assault from Colin de Grandhomme almost saw them home, only for Bumrah to seal a thrilling victory for the Indians.
