T20 WC 2021: IND vs NZ Review – Daunting New Zealand outclass below-par India
New Zealand kept their winning streak in ICC events against India alive, beating them by 8 wickets at Dubai on Sunday. With this loss, Team India is potentially staring at an exit from this year’s T20 World Cup, having lost both their opening matches and the fact that their net run-rate is poor.
Kiwi bowlers run riot
As has been the case so far with teams winning the toss, New Zealand too opted to field first. It turned out to be the right decision, with the Indian batsmen faltering at every step of the way in the 1st innings. The decision to send in KL Rahul alongside Ishan Kishan at the top didn’t really yield any returns. Both batsmen were back in the hut inside the Powerplay, with the Kiwi pace attack firing from both ends.
Despite the presence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and the likes, the middle order just couldn’t bounce back from the initial setbacks. Ish Sodhi’s effective leg-spin took care of the bigwigs and from thereon, it was pack of falling cards. Trent Boult was the star of the show, finishing with an impressive three-wicket haul. India scampered to a sub-par total of 110/7, one of their lowest totals in the format.
Team India – from bad to worse
If the batting wasn’t disappointing enough, India’s bowling went a step further. Jasprit Bumrah was the only one among the wickets, and they were the only two wickets to fall. Kane Williamson played the perfect anchoring role (33 off 31), ensuring his team crossed the finish line without any hiccup.
Top performers
Trent Boult: The presence of an effective left-arm pacer is one of the biggest advantages a team can rely on. Boult has been New Zealand’s most trusted weapon of destruction and he has proved it time and again. With figures of 3/20 in his 4 overs, he destroyed India’s batting unit to the point of no return. Boult also reached a personal milestone of 50 T20I wickets.
Daryll Mitchell: The opener’s 35-ball 49 was laced with 4 fours and 3 sixes, making the already easy run-chase even easier and quicker to get. Despite his partner Martin Guptill’s early dismissal, Mitchell stayed focused on the task at hand but fell short of his maiden T20I fifty.
Having registered their first 2 points on the table, New Zealand proceed to play Scotland on November 3. India play an in-form Afghanistan in the second match of the same day.
