For the second time in the series, India were unable to chase down a 200-plus total posted by New Zealand.
India’s promising start to the chase was marred by a late collapse with batsmen buckling under the pressure of a climbing required rate as they eventually fell short of the mammoth 213-run target by just four runs, ensuring New Zealand clinched the series 2-1.
As per the tale in the first T20I in Wellington, New Zealand batted first in the 3rd T20I against India at Seddon Park and posted 212, thanks to the solid opening stand between Colin Munro and Tim Seifert and a late flourish from Colin de Grandhomme.
India’s chase was punctured by a flurry of wickets in the second half of the innings, some disciplined bowling from the hosts and most importantly, their near flawless performance on the field which was a stark contrast to India. Despite a stunning assault from Dinesh Karthik and Krunal Pandya towards the end that saw the two batsmen add 63 off 28 balls, New Zealand avoided a scare to win a last-over thriller.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Brilliant hitting by DK but small mistakes have a big effect on the result in T20s. Was a mistake to not take that single with Krunal at the other end.#IndVsNZ
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 10, 2019
Well done fellas! 👏💥🎉😎Big congrats to the @BLACKCAPS victory at #Hamilton for a 2-1 series victory over @BCCI with the T20’s 👍😊 #fabentertainment 😬
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) February 10, 2019
New Zealand clinch the thriller in Hamilton and win the rubber 2-1.
This is first time India have lost a three-match T20I series. Of previous ten, they had won 9 and drawn one. #NZvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 10, 2019
Earlier this week, Pakistan's streak of 11 successive T20I series wins was put to an end by South Africa. New Zealand do same with India, who were unbeaten in their last ten T20I assignments. Both India and Pakistan played the series without their regular captains. #NZvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 10, 2019
Congratulations to New Zealand on winning the series 2-1 #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/x829ObFkBN
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 10, 2019
First defeat for India in a 3-match bilateral T20I series.
In previous 10 such series, they had won 9 and drawn 1. #NZvInd
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) February 10, 2019
India batsmen at Hamilton today:
Senior-most:
Dhawan+Rohit+Dhoni – 45 (40) – 4 boundariesOthers:
Shanka+Pant+Pandyas+Karthik – 151 (80) – 22 boundaries #NZvInd— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) February 10, 2019
Great stuff @BLACKCAPS. Awesome series victory over @BCCI #NZvIND
— Christopher Bishop (@cjsbishop) February 10, 2019
Why refuse the single DK when Krunal had just hit a 6 off the last ball in the previous over? #NZvIND
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) February 10, 2019
To me, India's fielding lost them the game. Too many lapses, dropped catches. Could have easily saved 20 runs at least.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 10, 2019
When the %s doesn't go your way, it happens. Well fought India.
Finishing a game is the toughest job in the game. DK and Krunal both will learn from this.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/Jeyakrish_offl/status/1094544959645073410
Can't blame either of Krunal or DK here. It was huge ask and both gave their best. You can't play with 3 regular bowlers in T20Is of which one is Khaleel and expect to get away every time.#NZvIND
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) February 10, 2019
When Karthik refused single to Krunal. #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/SREDt5eoHk
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 10, 2019
#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/nrsOsPReeV
— CricBoll (@mycricboll) February 10, 2019
Indian fans looking at Dinesh Karthik bat #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/K4QeLw3bw6
— Sand-d Singh (@Sand_In_Deed) February 10, 2019
4-1 in ODIs for 🇮🇳
2-1 in T20Is for 🇳🇿#NZvIND #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi pic.twitter.com/bUtcs62cLJ
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 10, 2019
.@krunalpandya24 26 not-out from 13 balls and got to face only 1 ball in the final over. 🤷🏻♂🤔
Hard luck, KP! 💙#CricketMeriJaan #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/BVm2HmDguA
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 10, 2019
Colin Munro bags the Man of the Match while his opening partner – Tim Seifert claims the Man of the Series#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/oqqRx00F17
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 10, 2019
Most runs conceded for India in a T20I:
64 – Yuzvendra Chahal v SA, Centurion, 2018
57 – Joginder Sharma v Eng, Durban, 2007
55 – Krunal Pandya v Aus, Brisbane, 2018
54 – Yusuf Pathan v SL, Nagpur, 2009
54 – Krunal Pandya v NZ, Hamilton, 2019*#NZvIND— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 10, 2019
