India were comprehensively beaten by New Zealand, who register their first win of the tournament by eight wickets and 33 balls remaining.
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India’s hopes of making it to the semi-finals of the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup took a massive hit as they were beaten by New Zealand on Sunday. The Indian batting order completely collapsed in the first innings as they were restricted to just 110-7 in 20 overs. In response, the Kiwis made 111-2 in 14.3 overs. The charge was led by New Zealand opener Daryl Mitchell who played an absolutely fantastic knock. Mitchell made 49 runs. He was extremely well supported by his skipper Kane Williamson who played a steady innings. However, nothing can take the focus away from how dismal India were in both batting and bowling departments on the day. The last time India beat New Zealand in a world event was at Centurion in 2003, when Sourav Ganguly was the captain of the Indian team. Since then, the Black Caps have won all of their matches against India in world events.
The Kiwis were off to a positive start as veteran cricketer Martin Guptill and Mitchell constructed a 24-run partnership for the first wicket. Guptill made 20 runs off 17 deliveries in a knock that included three boundaries. However, Mitchell’s outstanding knock ensured that the Kiwis did not suffer a batting collapse like India. Mitchell scored 49 runs off just 35 deliveries in a knock that included four boundaries and three maximums. Skipper Williamson also played a fine knock as he scored an unbeaten 33 runs off 31 deliveries.
There was nothing to truly appreciate if one looked at the Indian bowling card. Bumrah was the only one who picked a wicket as he ended with figures of 2-19 in four overs. Nobody apart from him could provide the team with a breakthrough and that will be a matter of immense concern for skipper Virat Kohli going forward.
India will have to win all of their remaining matches if they are to even have a chance to make it through to the semi-finals of the competition. On paper, India should emerge as comfortable victors against Scotland, Namibia, and Afghanistan but neither of these teams should be taken lightly. If India plays the way they did against Pakistan and the Kiwis, Kohli might very well be in for an absolutely horrible end to his tenure as the team’s T20 skipper.
New Zealand fast-bowler Trent Boult certainly emulated Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi’s heroics against India on Sunday, accounting for three dismissals just like the cricketer. Spinner Ish Sodhi further chipped in with two wickets to help the Black Caps restrict India to a total of 110 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Adam Milne and Tim Southee further accounted for a dismissal apiece. While spinner Mitchell Santner did not pick a wicket, he was absolutely outstanding on the day conceding just 15 runs in his four overs.
Ravindra Jadeja was the top run-getter for the Indian team, accumulating 26 runs off 19 deliveries. Jadeja’s knock comprised of two boundaries and a six. Hardik Pandya was the second-highest run-scorer. Pandya scored just 23 runs from 24 balls. The all-rounder’s knock included a boundary. None of the other batsmen including skipper Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma managed to make much of an impact. Ishan Kishan was extremely ineffective when promoted up the order, with Rohit unable to take advantage after being dropped off his first delivery.
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