India vs New Zealand 2019, 3rd T20I, Hamilton - 'It's a Bit Disappointing' - Rohit Sharma on the Loss

New Zealand won the third T20I in Hamilton against India by four runs, and thus clinched the three-match series 2-1. Rohit Sharma-led India has suffered its third defeat in five games, as they had lost the first T20I and the fourth ODI at the Seddon Park, Hamilton. Meanwhile, India did come close in winning the game, but it didn’t go as per the plan. As a result, they finished second in the T20Is.

Munro, India fielders, help NZ post 212/4

Colin Munro and poor fielding from the Indians had helped New Zealand post a mammoth 212 for four in 20 overs. To be noted, this is the second occasion in three matches when India conceded more than 200 runs in a T20I. Earlier, it was in Wellington when the hosts set a target of 220 to the Indians.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bowl first in Hamilton. New Zealand openers, Colin Munro and Tim Seifert began the onslaught early on. For the first wicket, the pair added 80 runs in eight overs. Though Tim got out on 43, Munro held his crease and completed his first fifty in the T20I series. It was a matter of time before the Indians struck two wickets – removing Kane and Munro quickly. Later, the lower order and of course, some poor fielding from the India team helped New Zealand post 212 for four in 20 overs.

Sharma, Shankar shine, but India loses the plot in the end

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, the pair made in heaven, didn’t click throughout the series; and the Hamilton game was no different. As Dhawan got out in the first over itself, it was a 75-run stand between Rohit Sharma and Vijay Shankar which ensured India gets back in the chase. Vijay, who looked solid during his stint at the crease scored 43 off 28 balls.

After his dismissal, India lost four wickets; though Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya played quickfire cameos, the wickets of MS Dhoni and Rohit dent India’s chances. Just when everyone thought the game is over, a 28-ball 63-run partnership between Dinesh Karthik and Krunal Pandya got India close, but couldn’t help them cross the line. As a result, India lost the third T20I by a mere four runs.

Pretty disappointing to finish second in the T20Is

At the post-match presentation, Rohit Sharma expressed his disappointment. He added India did well on tour and will now look to take on Australia in the home series. Rohit said,

“Pretty disappointing to not get to the finishing line. 210-odd was always going to be tough, and we were in the game right till the end, but New Zealand held their nerve well and they deserved to win. We started off well in the ODIs, and the boys will be disappointed not getting to the finishing line in the T20s. Lots of positives, and a few mistakes, so there’s a lot of material to move ahead. It would have been nice to win the series and go home and play Australia, but unfortunately we couldn’t do that,” he concluded.

India will now host Australia at home for two T20Is, and five ODIs, the series which begins on February 24th. Meanwhile, the hosts, New Zealand will play Bangladesh in three One-Dayers at home.