India and New Zealand played out a thrilling contest when both sides met in the opening T20I at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Friday. The tourists got the better of the hosts and registered a 21-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the ongoing three-match series.
The only positive for India was all-rounder Washington Sundar, who produced a brilliant performance. The 23-year-old took wickets, smashed a sensational half-century to almost pull his team over the finish line and also took a jaw-dropping return catch to exhibit his all-round show.
There is no denying that Sundar might not have got this game had Ravindra Jadeja been a match-fit for international cricket or if Axar Patel had not taken a personal break. In their absence, the Chennai-born showed what he could do on a challenging track in Ranchi.
Before smashing a 28-ball 50, laced up with five fours and three sixes, Sundar came up with a remarkable bowling performance, picking up a couple of wickets for 22 in 4 overs. During his course of bowling display, the Tamil Nadu cricketer also bagged a stunning catch that lit the entire stadium packed with Indian supporters.
It all happened on the final ball of the fifth over of the Black Caps’ innings when Sundar came round the wicket and bowled an outside-off delivery to Mark Chapman. The left-handed batter tried to push at it but couldn’t keep it down. Sundar saw the opportunity and dived full length to his right to take it with both hands. The third umpire did have a look, but it was a clean catch, and he eventually gave the decision in favour of the fielding team.
Here is the video:
WHAT. A. CATCH 🔥🔥@Sundarwashi5 dives to his right and takes a stunning catch off his own bowling 😎#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ
Live – https://t.co/9Nlw3mU634 #INDvNZ @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/8BBdFWtuEu
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 27, 2023
Speaking about the match, the visitors posted 176/6 in 20 overs, thanks to half-centuries from Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell. While Conway made 52 off 35 balls, including 7 fours and 1 six, Mitchell smashed 59 off 30 balls, with the help of 3 fours and 5 sixes.
In response, India could only manage to reach 155/9, losing the contest by 21 runs. New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner picked up two wickets for just 11 runs in his quota of 4 overs, while Michael Bracewell (2/31) and Lockie Ferguson (2/33) also bagged a couple of scalps each.
