New Zealand (Playing XI): Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert(w), Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee(c), Todd Astle, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w), Venkatesh Iyer, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj
India have won the toss and have opted to field
Vintage Bhuvi & Ashwin Magic
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was in full rhythm and provided early wickets in his first over itself which Team India missed badly in first two key matches of 2021 T20 World Cup. We must give credit to selectors and coaching staff for showing faith in Bhuvi as he was very economical in death over as well. After 1/1, Mark Chapman and Martin Guptill steadied the innings for NZ and notch up their fifties as well. They were well set to reach for 180+ score; but Ravichandran Ashwin had other plans and his double strike in 14th over brought Team India back into the game. Ashwin eventually finished with 2-23 in his four overs.
Majestic Batting Powerplay for India
Chasing 164, Indian openers provided perfect start. NZ bowlers kept bowling short balls and Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul pulled every balls for fours, sixes. Trent Boult and Tim Southee conceded 20runs for two consecutive overs and Team India scored 56 runs in batting powerplay which set the tone for run chase.
Sublime strokeplay of Suryakumar
Suryakumar Yadav started his innings with some fine sublime strokes and took the game away from NZ. He took over from Rohit and kept scoring boundary scoring shots at will. He completed his half century in 35 balls – his 3rd in T20Is.
Thrilling end till last over
After Suryakumar Yadav got out; Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer struggled to score runs easily as pressure mounted on. It came down to 10runs required from last over where Daryl Mitchell was handed the responsibility of bowling the final over. He crumbled under pressure in his only over on the day, disappointingly for the visitors, bowling two wides and conceding two boundaries as debutant Venkatesh Iyer pulled first four on leg side and Pant struck the winning runs.