Virat Kohli-led India beat New Zealand via Super Over in the fourth T20I after a second successive tie in Wellington on Friday.
Chasing 166, New Zealand were coasting at one stage before the hosts committed hara-kiri to be restricted to 165 for 7.
Needing 7 runs off Shardul Thakur’s final over, the Black Caps buckled under pressure and lost back to back wickets as the Men in Blue took the match into the Super Over for the second consecutive game.
In the Super Over, New Zealand batters scored 13 runs, a target which the Indians overwhelmed with one ball to spare. India had earlier defeated New Zealand in the Super Over in the third T20I in Hamilton on Wednesday.
Earlier, after put in to bat, India posted 165 for 8, riding on Manish Pandey’s 36-ball 50.
For New Zealand, Ish Sodhi (3/26) took three wickets, Hamish Bennett (2/41) picked two wickets, while Tim Southee (1/28), Scott Kuggeleijn (1/39) and Mitchell Santner (1/26) grabbed a wicket each.
The fifth and final T20I will be played on Sunday at Mount Maunganui.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
These guys don’t like Finger nails. Incredible
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 31, 2020
Is Thakur ke haath bhi hai or bahot lambe bhi. Well done buddy @imShard #nzvsind
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 31, 2020
Quite Incredible to have a #SuperOver in back to back matches. The Indian seamers were simply outstanding in the last 3 overs to defend 18 . Love this quality of fighting till the end from India. Great win #NZvsInd pic.twitter.com/Eq9lV83xcf
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 31, 2020
😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/SVJoRB6WMq
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) January 31, 2020
Jab SuperOver mein result aana hai, why have the 20 overs 😀
One again what fight from India, not giving up when it was New Zealand’s game quite easily. So much to learn from and love about this Team India #NZvsInd pic.twitter.com/DTTPRVVcFr
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 31, 2020
Wow I’m in shock with what I’ve just witnessed for a number of reasons…..
— Craig McMillan (@cmacca10) January 31, 2020
New Zealand just lost 4-5 off an over to cause another Super Over. Must be brutal following the Black Caps #NZvIND
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) January 31, 2020
Lovely chaps the Kiwis but they are not very good at Super overs … !!! #NZvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 31, 2020
The great art of conceiving a super over. Brought to you by New Zealand.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 31, 2020
Like they say Never say Never!!
What a win for #TeamIndia 💪#NZvIND #OrangeArmy pic.twitter.com/4aiW42jEV2
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) January 31, 2020
breaking: the super over will be played before the main match in the final game of this series #NZvIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 31, 2020
New Zealand’s last six T20Is:
Tied (Lost in Super Over)
Tied (Lost in Super Over)
Lost
Lost
Tied (Lost in Super Over)
Lost #INDvsNZ— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) January 31, 2020
The series scoreline should have been 2-2. Instead, it is now 4-0 for India.
Incidentally, no side has won a T20I bilateral series 5-0.#INDvsNZ #IndvNZ #NZvsIND— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 31, 2020
India win!
KL Rahul and Virat Kohli ensure yet more heartbreak for New Zealand.#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/Tedlk5Niak
— ICC (@ICC) January 31, 2020
Another day, Another Super over!
New zealand need 7 runs from last over. @imShard comes to bowl the final over.
19.1 – WICKET 💥
19.2 – FOUR
19.3 – WICKET 💥
19.4 – 2 runs
19.5 – WICKET 💥
19.6 – WICKET 💥#NZvIND #TeamIndia #Shardul pic.twitter.com/29ZGWO1Cwa— WhistlePodu Army ® – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) January 31, 2020
Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory ft. NZ: Part II 🤭
🇮🇳 4-0 🇳🇿#SaddaPunjab #NZvIND #SuperOver pic.twitter.com/PAquF6d42L
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) January 31, 2020