It was a stunning display of bowling by New Zealand who managed to restrict the Indian team to a pretty low total.
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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.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson opted to field after winning the toss in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021 encounter against India. The former have gone in with one change as Adam Milne replaces Tim Seifert. Williamson has further stated that Devon Conway will be donning the role of a keeper. India have gone in with two changes. Ishan Kishan has replaced Suryakumar Yadav, and will be seen adopting the role of an opener. Shardul Thakur marks the second change, having been included at the expense of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. According to an official update by the BCCI, Suryakumar complained of back spasms. He has been advised rest by the BCCI Medical Team and has stayed back at the team hotel.
Kohli admitted that he would have opted to field as well, if he had won the toss.
“We would have bowled first as well. Need a solid start and have wickets in hand to get those extra 20-25 runs are the learnings from the last game. We do have the bowling line-up to take wickets, but when you don’t have runs on the board one partnership can take the game away from you. Understand that and plans are there to get those extra runs. It’s ridiculous, we are playing twice in 10 days. Too long a break, but yeah, the guys have recovered well. Had good practice sessions, are itching to go out on the field, which is a good thing. When you have so many days off you want to get on the park and get into the groove. It’s another opportunity to come out and correct the mistakes. Two changes. One forced, Surya has a lower back spasm, so Ishan Kishan will replace him and open the batting. Shardul Thakur replaces Bhuvneshwar Kumar,” said the Team India skipper as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Williamson termed his decision to field as being influenced by the dew factor at that time of the year.
“We are going to bowl, dew factor at this time of the year. Hopefully a bit of movement in the surface like the other night. Look forward to another challenge against these guys who are obviously one of the favourites in the tournament. One change, Adam Milne comes in for Tim Seifert. Just us a nice balance to our bowling attack, provides us the extra pace as well. Conway will keep,” stated the New Zealand skipper.
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