India vs New Zealand: The new era starts for India with a win as they beat New Zealand by 5 Wickets
The Men in Blue beat New Zealand by 5 Wickets in the first match of the T20I series. They are leading the 3 T20Is Series 1-0 and has ensured a winning start for Rahul Dravid as Team India’s Head Coach.
In the 1st T20I Match between India vs New Zealand, Rohit Sharma and Co. won by 5 wickets on Wednesday, 17th November 2021 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.
This encounter is a part of the New Zealand Tour of India – 2021. This series consists of 3 T20Is and 2 Test Matches. The 3 T20Is Series is being played from 17th – 21st November. It is being held just after the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Hence, the New Zealand Cricket Team – Runners-up of 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup is playing after only a two-day gap as they arrived in India. Meanwhile, with this series, a new era started for the Indian Men’s Team as Rahul Dravid’s tenure as Team India’s Head Coach began with Rohit Sharma as the captain of the T20I Team.
Playing XI – 1st T20I – India vs New Zealand
We're already ON the road to next year's T20 World Cup 💪#INDvNZ | https://t.co/lboBElrvPS pic.twitter.com/vVVlSiDVD4
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 17, 2021
Venkatesh Iyer made his T20I debut for India. Ravichandran Ashwin played his 50th T20I.
India had won the toss & chose to bowl.
New Zealand puts 164 Runs on the board
There was an early setback for New Zealand as Daryl Mitchell was dismissed on a duck, bowled out by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. They were 1/1 (0.3 overs).
After the powerplay, they were 41/1. However, from there Martin Guptill & Mark Chapman rebuilt New Zealand’s innings as they made a 109 run partnership. Chapman registered his first T20I half-century for New Zealand.
But then, R. Ashwin in his 50th T20I Match – bowling his 4th Over picked two quick wickets. He dismissed Mark Chapman on 63 (off 50 balls) & Glenn Phillips on a duck. New Zealand were 110/3 in 13.5 overs.
Then, 2 wickets fall in quick succession, as Martin Guptill departed after a fine knock of 70 (off 42 balls) and Tim Seifert on 12 (off 11 balls). New Zealand were at 153/5 (18.2 overs). In the last over, another wicket fell. New Zealand finished their innings at 164/6 (20 overs).
India’s Target is 165 Runs
After a great start, India lost a wicket in the last over of the powerplay as KL Rahul left the crease on 15 as Mitchell Santner picked his wicket. India were 50/1 (5.1 overs).
Then, skipper Rohit Sharma departed scoring 48 (off 36 balls) after putting a 59 run stand with Suryakumar Yadav. India were at 109/2 in 13.2 overs.
Suryakumar Yadav was bowled out by Trent Boult. Yadav departed scoring a fine knock of 62 (off 40 balls). At that stage, India was at 144/3 (16.4 overs).
16 runs were needed from 12 balls, skipper Tim Southee bowled the 19th over. He bowled well and conceded just 6 runs and picked the wicket of Shreyas Iyer. India were 155/4 (18.6 overs).
In the end, another wicket fell of Venkatesh Iyer as he after hitting a four, was dismissed on the very next ball. But then, Rishabh Pant scored the winning boundary.
As a result, India won the match by 5 Wickets and are leading 1-0 in the T20I series. Meanwhile, the 2nd T20I between India vs New Zealand will be played on 19th November, Friday at Ranchi.
We are off to a winning start! 👏 👏
The @ImRo45-led #TeamIndia seal a 5⃣-wicket victory in first @Paytm #INDvNZ T20I in Jaipur. 👍 👍
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/5lDM57TI6f pic.twitter.com/KXu28GDn3m
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2021