India has levelled the three-match T20Is against New Zealand with a seven-wicket win in Auckland. During the second T20I at the Eden Park, a 79-run partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan saw the visitors lay a plan for a comeback in the series. Not only this, contributions from Krunal Pandya helped the cause too. Earlier, New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat first. Unlike the first T20I in Wellington, where the openers set the stage on fire the hosts lost three wickets inside the Powerplay. In 20 overs, the BlackCaps scored 158 for nine, courtesy a fifty from Colin de Grandhomme.
Krunal Pandya stars in India’s comeback
India had lost the Wellington T20I by 80 runs; their worst defeat against New Zealand in the T20Is. In their quest to level the series, they had to come back, which eventually happened. As the scorecard read 40 for one after five overs, Rohit Sharma introduced Krunal Pandya to the attack. The T20I specialist took no time before picking up his wicket. He first got the big wicket of the opener, Colin Munro, before dismissing Daryll Mitchell, plumb in front of the stumps. Though a controversy surrounding the DRS got created, Krunal was granted the wicket.
Later, thanks to a fifty from Colin de Grandhomme, New Zealand could post 158 for eight in 20 overs. India, in their chase, began well, with Rohit hitting fifty while Dhawan scored 30 runs. The hosts, then took wickets in the middle to put the breaks on the mounting run-rate. Meanwhile, in the second half of the India innings, New Zealand got just one more wicket in Vijay Shankar before going down by seven wickets. MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant at the crease saw the visitors sealing the deal with one over to spare.
Here are the tweets –
Same teams, same set of players, completely different result. Underlines the great importance of taking wickets early. #NZvIND
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 8, 2019
pant finishing this in a rush. think he has a babysitting gig to get to #NZvIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) February 8, 2019
Rohit Sharma is now the highest run scorer in T20Is. No player has scored more hundreds (4), fifty-plus scores (20). Only Guptill & Gayle (103 each) have hit more sixes compared to Rohit's 102. Scoring at 138.4, only Warner (140.1) among the top 10 has scored quicker. #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/gW4SQPdErz
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 8, 2019
The master and the apprentice see off the chase! Well done India ??. 1-1 now. #NZvIND #NerolacCricketLIVE
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) February 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/SuranaRitesh/status/1093800213829976064
No Kohli, no Bumrah, no Shami, no Kuldeep, and still such a comprehensive victory. India's enjoying unrivalled depth in talent right now. #NZvIND
NZ batsmen were poor yet again after that brief sparkle in Wellington.— Rishad Dsouza (@Rishouza) February 8, 2019
The master and the apprentice see off the chase! Well done India ??. 1-1 now. #NZvIND #NerolacCricketLIVE
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) February 8, 2019
Rohit Sharma in T20Is:
2288 runs – most
4 centuries – most
20 50+ scores – most
102 sixes – second-highest#NZvInd— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) February 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/ImNsamy/status/1093798602437287936
Dhawan to his wife : Darling aaj khane me kya hai?
Wife : Lockie ki sabzi hai.
Dhawan : Jaao me nahi khaa Raha aaj ?#NZvIND— Udit (@udit_buch) February 8, 2019