India clinched the three-match T20I series against New Zealand with a seven-wicket win at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Friday.
Asked to bat first, NZ openers Martin Guptill (31 off 15) and Daryl Mitchell (31 off 28) came all guns blazing against India’s new-ball bowlers, scoring 60+ runs in the powerplay overs. However, spinners led a swift comeback. Later, debutant Harshal Patel continued his good run of form from the IPL to international cricket.
Patel returned with impressive figures of 2/25 in four overs. Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar scalped a wicket each to restrict the Black Caps to 153-6.
Chasing 154 runs on a tricky wicket, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma paced the Indian innings perfectly. They picked the bowlers and targeted them accordingly. Rahul scored 65 off 49 while Rohit chipped in with 36-ball 55 to set up the chase.
After both openers returned to the dugout, Venkatesh Iyer (12*) and Rishabh Pant (12*) ensured that the Men in Blue reach home easily.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Name a batsman who hits pacers over covers better than KL Rahul. Unreal skills. #IndvNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 19, 2021
Rohit Sharma becomes the first player with 25 fifty-plus knocks in winning T20Is. #INDvNZ
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) November 19, 2021
Congratulations team India, Onwards and upwards. #INDVsNZT20
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 19, 2021
The 𝗥𝗢ck and Rahul show🥳 to seal the deal!
📸 @BCCI #INDvNZ #WhistlePodu 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/kOqcj6ZSFc
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 19, 2021
A dominating win that sealed the series for Captain Ro & his men! 💪🔥#OneFamily #INDvNZ @ImRo45 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/SlNFGjsLmC
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 19, 2021
Rishabh Pant finishing the match with his one handed six – very pleasing 😄 #INDvNZ
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) November 19, 2021
How motivated @ashwinravi99 has been to prove himself once again in T20I. Harshal Patel proving that his IPL success has made him dream for India career. #INDVsNZT20
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) November 19, 2021
This series feels a lot like this scene 😅 #INDvNZ #IYKYK pic.twitter.com/8oARplbqYO
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 19, 2021
Congratulations Team India🇮🇳 #INDVsNZT20
— Parvinder Awana (@ParvinderAwana) November 19, 2021
Pant completes win in gr8 style. Delightful chase, but the platform was set up by the bowlers, particularly R Ashwin and Harshal Patel who restricted NZ to 25-30 runs fewer than anticipated. Series in the bag allows Dravid and Rohit scope for experimentation in 3rd match
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 19, 2021
A terrific bowling performance on debut 💪@HarshalPatel23 wins the Man of the Match award for his splendid spell of 2/25 👏👏#TeamIndia #INDvNZ @Paytm pic.twitter.com/BvRz4qmL5Z
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 19, 2021
