India defeated New Zealand in the second T20I at Eden Park in Auckland to level the three-match series 1-1.
In the match that was marred with a controversial decision, batting first, New Zealand posted a total of 158/8. Colin de Grandhomme was the top run-scorer for Blackcaps, with a 28-ball 50, whereas, Krunal Pandya took three wickets for the Men in Blue.
In reply, India easily chased down the target with Rohit Sharma (50 off 29 deliveries) being the architect.
The series is now nicely set up for the decider which will be played in Hamilton on Sunday (February 10).
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the match:
India bowled superbly today and it made the job for the batsman easier. Clinical win this and must be a good decider on the 10th #NZvInd
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 8, 2019
This batting unit surely has it in them to level the series and then we can have another exciting decider!#NZvIND
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) February 8, 2019
Same teams, same set of players, completely different result. Underlines the great importance of taking wickets early. #NZvIND
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 8, 2019
INDIAAA INDIAAA💪💪🙏🙏😀😀 pic.twitter.com/cmkzUNEPhD
— vennela kishore (@vennelakishore) February 8, 2019
"Pant finishes off in style"
Time to get used to this. #NZvIND
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 8, 2019
Pant shows he can bat with one hand and do better 🙂
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 8, 2019
Clinical performance by India, if I am permitted a cliche, players clearly intent on keeping series alice. Bowlers splendid in restricting NZ to modest score. Rohit's smashing half century and strokefilled 40 by Pant made it a cakewalk. I'll tip India to win on Sunday too
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 8, 2019
Am sure #MSD can exactly understand what goes through the mind of a Rishabh Pant – especially after Pant hits a massive one. Probably sees a lot of himself in Pant. Helps the youngster immensely when MSD is actually batting with him. #NZvIND
— RK (@RK_sports) February 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/SyedRaahimAli1/status/1093768153065238528
No. of wins for India in T20Is now:
Under Virat Kohli : 12 (20 matches)
Under Rohit Sharma : 12 (14 matches)#NZvIND— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 8, 2019
Krunal Pandya has just become the first Indian bowler to take more than two wickets in a T20I match played in New Zealand. #NZvsIND
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) 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
Fine cameo by Rishabh Pant.. Fantastic contribution with ball by Krunal Pandya! Rohit revelled as India register their maiden T20I win in New Zealand. Series locked at 1-1. Splendid all-round effort by Team India #NZvsIND
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) February 8, 2019
.@ImRo45, in T20Is, rewrote a few records today 😉👇🏻
Highest run-getter ✅
First Indian to hit 100 sixes ✅
Most fifty-plus scores ✅#CricketMeriJaan #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/5wHkWLS0BR
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 8, 2019
Most wins as captain after 14 T20Is:
12 M Clarke/ Sarfraz Ahmed/ ROHIT SHARMA **
11 Shoaib Malik/ Asghar Stanikzai
10 G Smith/ M Jayawardene#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/k8IChyMhM5— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 8, 2019
Man of the match – Krunal Pandya
SCORECARD: https://t.co/nLQMzEBlDg#NZvIND #INDvNZ #2ndT20I #TeamIndia #Cricket #TheCricketTimes pic.twitter.com/r43faYW4dN— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 8, 2019
