India vs New Zealand 2019: 2nd T20I - Rohit Sharma, Krunal Pandya Help India Level the Series

India vs New Zealand 2019, Match Report. India was able to draw level in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand as they won the second T20I by seven wickets at Auckland on Thursday. After losing the first T20I, the tourists were able to bounce back to stay alive in the three-match series. Krunal Pandya scalped three wickets whereas Rohit Sharma scored a fine fifty to take India over the finishing line.

India vs New Zealand 2019: New Zealand innings:

New Zealand posted 158 runs in their allotted 20 overs after their skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and decided to bat first. However, the hosts could get off to a good start as their previous match hero Tim Seifert was dismissed early. The right-hander went for a cross-batted shot and had to pay the price as he got an inside edge which was caught by MS Dhoni.

Meanwhile, Colin Munro could not clear the cover fielder as he was taken by Rohit Sharma. Furthermore, there was a big controversy when Daryl Mitchell was adjudged out by the third umpire Shaun Haig. Mitchell was hit on the pads by Krunal Pandya and he was given out by the standing umpire.

There was a mark on the hotspot but there was nothing on the Snickometer. Consequently, the third umpire decided to give preference to the Snickometer and decided to stay with the on-field umpire’s decision. Subsequently, Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell were left perplexed.

Krunal Pandya who was backed by Rohit Sharma in place of Kuldeep Yadav was able to take out the big fish, Kane Williamson. The flamboyant batsman was plumbed in front when he tried to play across the line. Pandya was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he scalped three wickets and gave away only 28 runs in his four overs quota. Hence, he was awarded the Man of the match.

At 50-4, the hosts were left in tatters by accurate Indian bowling. However, Colin de Grandhomme was able to bail his team out of trouble as he took the attack against the Indian bowlers. Grandhomme played a fearless knock as he went for everything which was in his arch. The right-hander made use of the long handle and smashed four maximums in his innings. Thus, he completed his maiden T20I fifty off just 27 balls but he was dismissed soon after reaching his personal milestone.

The right-hander could not clear India’s skipper Rohit Sharma at the cover region. Meanwhile, Ross Taylor scored a pivotal knock of 42 runs off 36 balls but his innings was ended by Vijay Shankar’s brilliance in the field as he was able to hit the bullseye from the long-on region.

Furthermore, Khaleel Ahmed took two wickets in his final over. The greenhorn pacer conceded only 27 runs in his allotted four overs. Moreover, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was also economical in his spell as he gave away 29 runs.

India vs New Zealand 2019: India’s innings:

Indian experienced openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan gave a perfect platform to their side. The right and left-handed pair added 50 runs in the powerplay overs. Rohit Sharma took the role of the aggressor whereas Shikhar Dhawan took a backseat to witness Rohit Sharma’s blitzkrieg. The Indian stand-in captain timed the ball with perfection as he smashed the host’s bowler’s all-around the park.

Rohit scored 50 off just 29 balls as he also leapfrogged Martin Guptill’s tally of highest T20I run-getter. The right-hander also became the batsman with most fours in the shortest format of the game.

Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan was surprised by a quick bouncer from Lockie Ferguson who had accounted for the southpaw batsman in the first match as well. However, Rishabh Pant made sure there were no more hiccups in India’s run-chase after the openers had laid down the foundation.

The southpaw combative batsman provided the finishing touches to India’s run-chase. The left-hander scored 40 runs from 28 balls laced with four fours and one six. Furthermore, MS Dhoni also gave good company to Pant as the experienced batsman scored 20 runs from 17. Meanwhile, Vijay Shankar scored 14 off just eight balls.

The decider of the T20I will take place on 10th February.