India vs New Zealand 1st T20I: Twitter Reacts As India Put Up Massive Score

The buttery-fingered New Zealand fielders paid the price for giving reprieves to Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma as the Indian openers shared a record partnership of 158 runs to help India post a huge total of 202 for 3 in the first T20 International at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi.

Kane Williamson’s decision to field first could have been spot on had his teammates done well in the field and held on to the catches. However, it was not their day and Indian openers- Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma fully capitalised on it. Dhawan was dropped in the very second over when Mitchell Santner spilled the catch. 4 overs later, it was Rohit’s turn to get a reprieve as Tim Southee spilled a straightforward catch.

With both the openers being in top form and the visitors failing to capitalise on the rare chances, the batsmen made the most of it. The duo began cautiously but shifted gears as the game progressed. By the time the 10th over ended, India raced to 80 without loss.

Rohit Sharma was finding it tough to get going with the bat but Dhawan made up for it, reaching his fifty off just 37 balls. But as the game wore on, Rohit too found his rhythm and reached half-century off 42 balls and after completion of the fifty, he totally shifted his gears, trying to hit almost every ball to the boundary. Dhawan was also matching his partner shot for shot as the duo toyed with the Kiwi bowlers. The partnership was finally broken when Dhawan was stumped off Ish Sodhi in the seventeenth over when the scoreboard was reading an imposing 158.

Pandya, who was promoted at number three, was dismissed for a duck but skipper Virat Kohli played a quickfire knock of 26 to help the hosts finish their innings on a strong note.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:

https://twitter.com/mainbhiengineer/status/925734186907967488

This innings is the reason India like to pick Dhawan in spite of the stats.. When he gets going, he produces a big one.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 1, 2017

Then suddenly 2 wickets in 2 balls! is this a massive turnaround in the match or have New Zealand ceded too much ground already?

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 1, 2017

Next time supreme court will ban Rohit Sharma & Shikhar Dhawan in Delhi.

— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) November 1, 2017

india could have played 9 bowlers #INDvNZ

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) November 1, 2017

Big blow to haters who said Rohit Sharma do not have defensive techniques. 25(28) #INDvNZ

— cricBC (@cricBC) November 1, 2017

Tough conditions. Mix of dew and Kiwi tears. #INDvNZ

— cricBC (@cricBC) November 1, 2017

Wtf are these kiwis doing in the field. Defo due to dilli pollution I tell ya

— Advantage Arputharaj (@podidosai) November 1, 2017

What irony:

The Ashish Nehra End on TV in his last match.#IndvsNZ

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) November 1, 2017

Gud luck my bro #Ashishnehra playing his last game 2day.jus enjoy as we did in this pic aftr winning th World Cup2011. Bhangra khich @BCCI pic.twitter.com/DDkqngSNf7

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 1, 2017

Good luck to Shreyas Iyer, a well deserved break.??

— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) November 1, 2017

Circle of Life. #Nehra #IndvNZ pic.twitter.com/3RMgSuoX62

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 1, 2017