India's Rohit Sharma celebrates with teammates after taking a catch to dismiss New Zealand's Martin Guptill during the Twenty/20 cricket international between India and New Zealand in Auckland. Photo: AP | PTI
The immensely talented Shreyas Iyer enhanced his reputation of a finisher with a scintillating 29-ball-58 as India cricket team crushed New Zealand by six wickets in a high-scoring first T20 International at Eden Park, Auckland on Friday. Iyer built on K L Rahul's (56 off 27 balls) blazing start and Virat Kohli's useful 45 off 32 balls as India made short work of a 204-run target, knocking it off with an over to spare.
Credit should be given to Indian bowlers for restricting New Zealand cricket team towards the end considering the dimensions of the Eden Park. Earlier, Colin Munro and Kane Williamson had smashed quickfire half-centuries as New Zealand scored 203-5. In pursuit of 204, India lost Rohit Sharma (7) early in the second over as he played one too many shots in a bid to go after spinner Mitchell Santner (1-50).
Rahul and Kohli then took charge of the innings with an 80-run partnership coming off only 47 balls. The duo launched a good array of strokes with seven fours and four sixes between them as New Zealand struggled to contain the runs. India crossed 100 in the ninth over thanks to their whirlwind partnership, albeit both had chances. Rahul survived a mix-up as New Zealand failed to hit the stumps twice, and then Ish Sodhi dropped a sitter off Kohli.
Continuing his fine form, Rahul notched up his half-century off 23 balls while Kohli fell short of his landmark by just five runs. Together, they provided the base for India's middle order to finish the chase.
The Black Caps roared back into contention with a double blow. First, Rahul was out caught off Sodhi in the 10th over and then seven balls later, Martin Guptill pulled off a screamer at deep mid wicket to send back Kohli.
India captain Virat Kohli bats as New Zealand keeper Tim Seifert looks on during the Twenty/20 cricket international between India and New Zealand in Auckland. Photo: AP | PTI
India lost their set batsmen for six runs and their ploy to send Shivam Dube (13) up the order only had limited success. Dube and Iyer added 21 runs to provide some acceleration, before the all-rounder was Sodhi's second dismissal of the night.
Iyer then took charge of proceedings as he smacked five fours and three sixes to propel India to victory. He added 50 off 29 balls with Manish Pandey, who hit 14 not out off 12 balls with a six.
It was an immaculate display by the young batsman who showed the benefits of reaping experience batting in the middle order and perhaps answering India's questions regarding the number four situation.
This was after Munro, Williamson and Ross Taylor (54 not out off 27 balls) made the Indian bowlers suffer. Jasprit Bumrah (1-31) put in a good shift with clever change of pace and control.
Also Yuzvendra Chahal (1/32 in 4 overs) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/18 in 2 overs) kept a check on the run-flow during the back-end.
Munro scored 59 off 42 balls, including six fours and two sixes, while Williamson hit four fours and four sixes in his 26-ball 51-run innings as the Black Caps' made good use of the peculiar Eden Park shape to pile on the runs.
New Zealand quickly got off the blocks with openers Munro and Martin Guptill (30 off 19 balls) putting on 68-0 in the power play. It was the highest power play score for New Zealand against India in T20Is (previous best 66-0 in 2019).
India's K L Rahul bats as New Zealand wicketkeeper Tim Seifert looks on during the Twenty/20 cricket international between India and New Zealand in Auckland. Photo: AP | PTI
Shardul Thakur (1-44) and Mohammed Shami (0-53) proved to be expensive in their opening spells. India were forced to use as many six bowlers in the first eight overs.
Dube (1-24) got the breakthrough with Rohit Sharma catching smartly to dismiss Guptill. It brought Williamson to the crease and the onslaught continued as he put on 36 off 24 balls with Munro.
The latter reached his half-century off 36 balls before holing out off Thakur. India quickly got a second wicket in the space of four balls with Ravindra Jadeja (1-18) dismissing Colin de Grandhomme (0).
New Zealand, at 117-3 in the 13th over, were placed awkwardly but Williamson and Taylor put on 61 off 28 balls to completely decimate the Indian bowling in the second half of their innings.
Taylor smashed three fours and three sixes, taking 22 runs off Shami in the 16th over, as he raced to a 25-ball half-century. It was his first T20I half-century in six years.
Williamson too completed his half-century off 25 balls. Their 50-run partnership had come off just 24 balls before Williamson was dismissed off Chahal (1-32). Taylor then applied the finishing touches as New Zealand breached 200 in the final over.
Worryingly for India, Bumrah rolled over his left ankle in the 20th over during follow-through and was down in pain. But he recovered sufficiently to deliver the last four deliveries.
Here are the playing 11 of both the sides:
India playing 11: Rohit Sharma, K L Rahul (w), Virat Kohli (c), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami
New Zealand playing 11: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Tim Seifert(w), Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Hamish Bennett
Over 19; Iyer hits fifty and wins the match for India
Over Summary: 6 4 1 1 0 6 ; India: 204-4
Southee continues
Ball 6: Shreyas Iyer wallopes towards deep mid-wicket for SIX and wins the match for India
Ball 5: A swing and a miss from Shreyas Iyer
Ball 4: Manish Pandey collects a single
Ball 3: Shreyas Iyer works towards deep square leg for a single.
Ball 2: Shreyas Iyer moves towards off side and clips towards fine leg for FOUR
Ball 1: Shreyas Iyer smashes straight down the ground for SIX
Over 18; India need 18 runs in 12 balls
Over Summary: 4 4 0 1 1 1 ; India: 186-4
Hamish Bennett [3.0-0-25-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Shreyas Iyer
Ball 5: Manish Pandey smashes towards deep backward square leg for a single.
Ball 4: Shreyas Iyer hits down the ground for a single.
Ball 3: Shreyas Iyer tries to guide the bumper keeper, misses. NO RUN
Ball 2: Shreyas Iyer whips towards cow corner for FOUR.
Ball 1: Shreyas Iyer glances towards fine leg for FOUR
Over 17; India need 29 runs in 18 balls
Over Summary: 1 6 1 0 1 1 ; India: 175-4
Tim Southee [2.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Iyer
Ball 5: Manish Pandey collects a single down the ground
Ball 4: Manish Pandey hits towards mid-on for no run.
Ball 3: Shreyas Iyer works towards square leg for a single.
Ball 2: Shreyas Iyer smashes towards long leg region for SIX.
Ball 1: Manish Pandey collects a single
Over 16; India need 39 runs in 24 balls
Over Summary: 2 0 4 1 6 1 ; India: 165-4
Sodhi continues
Ball 6: Manish Pandey hits down the ground for a single.
Ball 5: Manish Pandey wallopes towards cow corner region for SIX.
Ball 4: Shreyas Iyer clips towards backward square leg for aa single.
Ball 3: Shreyas Iyer smashes towards extra cover for FOUR
Ball 2: A wild swing from Shreays Iyer, misses.
Ball 1: Shreyas Iyer collects a couple of runs.
Over 15; India need 53 runs in 30 balls
Over Summary: 1 1 2 1 1 1 ; India: 151-4
Hamish Bennett [2.0-0-18-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Shreyas Iyer
Ball 5: Manish Pandey hits towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 4: Shreays Iyer collects a single.
Ball 3: Shreays Iyer nudges towards mid-wicket region with soft hands for a couple of runs.
Ball 2: Manish Pandey collects a single.
Ball 1: Shreyas Iyer collects a single
Over 14; India need 60 runs in 36 balls
Over Summary: 0 W 0 1 1 0 ; India: 144-4
Ish Sodhi [2.0-0-20-1] is back into the attack
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: Shreyas Iyer collects a single to square of wicket
Ball 4: Manish Pandey collects a single towards long-off.
Ball 3: DOT
Manish Pandey, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 2: Shivam Dube perished in search of bigge.
Ball 1: DOT
Over 13; India need 62 runs in 42 balls
Over Summary: 1 1 0 4 6 1 ; India: 142-3
Santner continues
Ball 6: Dube steers down to short third man for a single.
Ball 5: Dube smashes over deep mid-wicket fielder for SIX.
Ball 4: Dube smashes straight down the ground for FOUR
Ball 3: Dube hits without any timing towards extra cover for no run.
Ball 2: Iyer dabs towards point region for a quick single.
Ball 1: Dube works towards square leg for a single.
Over 12; Virat Kohli departs
Over Summary: W 2 4 1 0 1 ; India: 129-3
Blair Tickner [2.0-0-26-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Dube steers down to third man for a single.
Ball 5: Dube dabs towards backward point for no run.
Ball 4: Iyer drives straight down the ground for a single.
Ball 3: Iyer makes some room and hits over extra cover for FOUR.
Ball 2: Shreyas Iyer drives towards wide of sweeper cover for a couple of runs.
Shivam Dube, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 1: Kohli whips towards deep mid-wicket and Guptill takes a forward diving catch to bring New Zealand back in the game
Over 11; India need 83 runs in 54 balls
Over Summary: 1 0 1 Wd 1 1 1 ; India: 121-2
Santner comes into the attack
Ball 6: Kohli collects a single down the ground.
Ball 5: Shreyas Iyer collects a single.
Ball 4: A single for Kohli
Ball 4: WIDE
Ball 3: A single for Iyer
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: A single for Kohli
Shreyas Iyer, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Over 10; Rahul departs
Over Summary: Wd 1 Wd 1 1 1 1 Wd W ; India: 115-2
Ish Sodhi [1.0-0-12-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Rahul tries to go big, hits from the bottom of bat and Southee takes the catch. GONE. Rahul c Southee b Ish Sodhi 56(27) [4s-4 6s-3]
Ball 6: WIDE
Ball 5: Kohli collects a single down the ground
Ball 4: Rahul hits down the ground for a single
Ball 3: A single for Kohli
Ball 2: A single for Rahul
Ball 2: WIDE
Ball 1: A single for Kohli
Ball 1: WIDE
Over 9; K L Rahul hits fifty
Over Summary: 1 2 2 Wd 1Nb 6 1 1 ; India: 107-1
Blair Tickner [1.0-0-10-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Kohli drives towards sweeper cover for a single.
Ball 5: Rahul pushes towards long-on for a single
Ball 4: FREE HIT, K L Rahul hits over long-on for SIX and completes his FIFTY.
Ball 4: NO BALL, Kohli hits down the ground for a single.
Ball 4: A bumper called WIDE
Ball 3: Kohli collects a couple of runs towards square leg region.
Ball 2: Kohli tries to go big, gets a leading edge towards third man and Ish Sodhi drops a SITTER, two runs taken
Ball 1: Rahul clips towards deep square leg for a single
Over 8; CRR: 11.38 REQ: 9.42
Over Summary: 1 2 0 4 6 1 ; India: 91-1
Mitchell Santner [1.0-0-17-1] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Rahul collects a single.
Ball 5: Rahul smashes SIX, straight down the ground
Ball 4: Rahul smashes straight down the ground for FOUR
Ball 3: Rahul defends
Ball 2: Rahul tucks towards mid-wicket region with soft hands for a couple of runs.
Ball 1: A single for Kohli towards long-off
Over 7; CRR: 11 REQ: 9.77
Over Summary: 1 1 2 Wd 1 Wd 4 1 ; India: 77-1
Ish Sodhi, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Kohli towards long-off
Ball 5: Kohli stays on backfoot and hits towards cow corner region for FOUR
Ball 5: WIDE
Ball 4: Rahul hits towards long-on for a single.
Ball 4: WIDE
Ball 3: Rahul collects a couple of runs
Ball 2: Kohli collects a single
Ball 1: Rahul collects a single
Over 6; CRR: 10.83 REQ: 9.93
Over Summary: 1 1 0 4 1 1 ; India: 65-1
Hamish Bennett [1.0-0-10-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Rahul collects a single
Ball 5: A single for Kohli
Ball 4: Kohli smashes FOUR
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: Rahul collects a single
Ball 1: Kohli collects a single towards long-off
Over 5; CRR: 11.4 REQ: 9.8
Over Summary: 1 1 3 1 6 4 ; India: 57-1
Tim Southee comes back into the attack
Ball 6: A bumper and Rahul gets a top edge just over short fine leg for FOUR
Ball 5: Rahul whips towards deep square leg for SIX
Ball 4: Kohli dabs towards short third man region for a single
Ball 3: Rahul hits towards deep backward point for three runs
Ball 2: A short of length delivery and Kohli swivels through the pull shot towards deep square leg for a single.
Ball 1: Rahul collects a single towards deep mid-wicket region
Over 4; CRR: 10.25 REQ: 10.19
Over Summary: 6 0 0 1 1 2 ; India: 41-1
Blair Tickner, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Kohli works towards square leg with soft hands for a couple of runs.
Ball 5: Rahul tucks towards mid-wicket region for a single.
Ball 4: Kohli nudges towards extra cover for a single.
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: Tickner beats Kohli outside off
Ball 1: A length delivery and Kohli plays an extended straight drive for SIX towards long-off
Over 3; CRR: 10.33 REQ: 10.18
Over Summary: 0 4 2 Wd 1 1 1 ; India: 31-1
Hamish Bennett, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Kohli collects a single.
Ball 5: Rahul works towards mid-wicket region for a single.
Ball 4: Kohli clips towards backward square leg for a single.
Ball 4: WIDE down the leg side
Ball 3: Kohli whips towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Ball 2: Kohli smashes FOUR
Ball 1: Bennett beats Kohli outside off
Over 2; Rohit departs
Over Summary: 4 2Wd 0 6 W 1 4 ; India: 21-1
Mitchell Santner, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Rahul hits over mid-on for FOUR
Ball 5: A single for Kohli towards long-off
Virat Kohli, right handed batsman, comes to the crease
Ball 4: Rohit goes for slog sweep again, gets a top edge to backward point, GONE. Rohit c Ross Taylor b Santner 7(6) [6s-1]
Ball 3: Rohit slog sweeps towards deep mid-wicket for SIX
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 2: 2 WIDES
Ball 1: Rahul hits though extra cover for FOUR
Over 1
Over Summary: 1 0 2 1 0 0 ; India: 4-0
Rohit and Rahul are at the crease. Rohit is on strike. Southee will open the attack
Ball 6: Southee beats Rohit outside off
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: Rahul collects a single
Ball 3: Rahul collects a couple of runs
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: A single for Rohit
Over 20
Over Summary: 4 2 2 2 1 1 ; New Zealand: 203-5
Bumrah continues
Ball 6: A single for Santner towards deep fine leg
Ball 5: A single for Ross Taylor down the ground.
Ball 4: Taylor hits wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Ball 3: A short delivery and Ross Taylor pulls, gets a top edge towards fine leg boundary for a couple of runs.
Bumrah injured as he twists his ankle during follow through.
Ball 2: Ross Taylor whips towards wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Ball 1: A short delivery and Taylor pulls without any timing towards mid-wicket, collects 4 runs as India makes a sloppy fiedling effort.
Over 19; CRR: 10.05
Over Summary: 4 2 0 1 1 1 ; New Zealand: 191-5
Mohammed Shami comes into the attack
Ball 6: Taylor hits towards extra cover for a single
Ball 5: Santner hits straight down the ground for a single,
Ball 4: A single for Ross Taylor
Ball 3: A short delivery and Ross Taylor goes for a pull shot, misses.
Ball 2: Ross Taylor collects a couple of runs
Ball 1: Ross Taylor smashes FOUR
Over 18; Bumrah scalps Seifert
Over Summary: 0 1 1 1 W 1 ; New Zealand: 182-5
Bumrah comes into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Taylor
Mitchell Santner, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 5: A slow delivery and Seifert holed up to long-on, GONE.
Ball 4: A single for Ross Taylor down the ground.
Ball 3: A low full toss and Seifert hits towards extra cover for a single.
Ball 2: Taylor collects a single towards long-on
Ball 1: DOT
Tim Seifert, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Over 17; Williamson departs
Over Summary: 1 4 4 0 4 W ; New Zealand: 178-4
Yuzvendra Chahal [3.0-0-19-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Willianson departs
Ball 5: Williamson hits toward cow corner for FOUR and completes his FIFTY.
Ball 4: Williamson goes for slog sweep, misses. Rahul removes the bail. Decision referred to third man, NOT OUT
Ball 3: Williamson hits towards deep extra cover for FOUR
Ball 2: Williamson sweeps wide of deep backward square leg for FOUR
Ball 1: Ross Taylor collects a single
Over 16; Shami leaks 22 runs
Over Summary: 4 1 4 6 6 1 ; New Zealand: 165-3
Mohammed Shami [2.0-0-22-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Ross Taylor whips towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ball 5: Back to back SIX for Ross Taylor
Ball 4: Ross Taylor smashes SIX
Ball 3: Ross Taylor smashes towards deep mid-wicket for FOUR
Ball 2: A single for Williamson
Ball 1: Williamson smashes FOUR
Over 15; Jadeja leaks 13 runs
Over Summary: 0 1 1 1 4 6 ; New Zealand: 143-3
Jadeja continues
Ball 6: Taylor slog sweeps towards deep mid-wicket for SIX
Ball 5: Taylor edges through vacant slip cordon for FOUR
Ball 4: Williamson collects a single wide of cover fielder.
Ball 3: A single for Ross Taylor towards long-off
Ball 2: Williamson hits towards sweeper cover for a single.
Ball 1: DOT
Over 14; CRR: 9.29
Over Summary: 1 1 6 1 0 0 ; New Zealand: 130-3
Shivam Dube [2.0-0-15-1] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Ross Taylor defends back to bowler
Ball 5: Ross Taylor dabs towards backward point for no run.
Ball 4: Williamson steers down to third man for a single
Ball 3: Williamson pulls towards deep square leg for SIX
Ball 2: Ross Taylor collects a single
Ball 1: Williamson collects a single
Over 13; de Grandhomme departs
Over Summary: 1 W 1 1 1 1 ; New Zealand: 121-3
Ravindra Jadeja, left arm orthodox, comes into the attack
Ball 6: A single for Williamson
Ball 5: A single for Taylor
Ball 4: A single for Williamson
Ball 3: A single for Taylor
Ross Taylor, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 2: de Grandhomme hits straight to short fine leg, GONE.
Ball 1: Williamson collects a single
Over 12; Colin Munro departs
Over Summary: 1 6 6 1 W 0 ; New Zealand: 116-2
Shardul Thakur [2.0-0-30-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: DOT
Colin de Grandhomme, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 5: A short of length delivery and Munro hits straight to square leg fielder, GONE. Munro c Chahal b SN Thakur 59(42) [4s-6 6s-2]
Ball 4: Williamson steers down to third man for a single.
Ball 3: Williamson goes for biggie again and this time between deep square leg and mid wicket for SIX
Ball 2: Williamson hits towards mid-wicket for SIX.
Ball 1: Munro collects a single.
Over 11; Munro hits 50
Over Summary: 4 0 1 1 4 1 ; New Zealand: 102-1
Chahal continues
Ball 6: A single for Munro as Bumrah makes a sloppy effort at short fine leg
Ball 5: Munro sweeps just wide of deep backward square leg for FOUR.
Ball 4: Williamson hits towards deep square leg for a single.
Ball 3: Munro plays a slog sweep towards deep mid-wicket for a single
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: Munro cuts late and ball races down to third man boundary for FOUR, Munro completes his FIFTY.
Over 10; CRR: 9.1
Over Summary: 0 0 0 1 0 6 ; New Zealand: 91-1
Shivam Dube continues
Ball 6: Williamson makes some room outside off and hits over mid-off for SIX
Ball 5: A loud appeal for LBW against Williamson, umpire declines, relays show there is no inside edge.
Ball 4: Munro hits towards long-on for a single
Ball 3: A short of length delivery and Munro goes for a pull short, misses followed by a loud appeal for caught behind. Umpire declines
Ball 2: Munro taps towards extra cover for no run.
Ball 1: DOT
Over 9
Over Summary: 1 0 0 0 1 1 ; New Zealand: 84-1
Chahal continues
Ball 6: Munro sweeps towards deep backward square leg for a single
Ball 5: Williamson slices towards deep point for a single
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 1: Munro collects a single
Over 8; Dube gets Guptill
Over Summary: 4 1 1 1 W 1 ; New Zealand: 81-1
Shivam Dube, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Munro nudges towards mid-wicket region for a single
Kane Williamson, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Ball 5: A short delivery Guptill pulls towards deep square leg and Rohit Sharma takes a brilliant catch, Guptill c Rohit b Shivam Dube 30(19) [4s-4 6s-1]
Ball 4: Munro makes some room and hits wide of backward point for a single.
Ball 3: Guptill nudges towards mid-wicket region for a easy single
Ball 2: Munro slices towards deep point for a single.
Ball 1: Munro hits over mid-off for FOUR
Over 7
Over Summary: 1 1 2 0 1 0 ; New Zealand: 73-0
Yuzvendra Chahal, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Ball 6: DOT
Ball 5: Munro slices towards sweeper cover for a single
Ball 4: Munro tries to smash the ball out of the park, misses
Ball 3: Munro hits towards deep extra cover for a couple of runs
Ball 2: Guptill punches down the ground for a single
Ball 1: Munro drives towards deep extra cover for a single
Over 6; Shami leaks 16 runs
Over Summary: 4 1 0 Wd 1 Wd 2 6 ; New Zealand: 68-0
Mohammed Shami [1.0-0-6-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Guptill straight drives the length ball for SIX.
Ball 5: Guptill works towards square leg with soft hands for a couple of runs.
Ball 5: WIDE
Ball 4: A single for Munro
Ball 4: WIDE
Ball 3: DOT
Ball 2: Guptill collects a single towards mid-wicket
Ball 1: Guptill glances towards fine leg for FOUR
Over 5; CRR: 10.4
Over Summary: 4 Wd 0 1 0 0 2 ; New Zealand: 52-0
Jasprit Bumrah [1.0-0-7-0] is back into the attack
Ball 6: Munro collects a couple of runs.
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: DOT
Ball 3: A single for Guptill
Ball 2: DOT
Ball 2: WIDE down the leg side
Ball 1: Guptill taps towards third man and Shardul makes mess of it as ball goes for FOUR
Over 4: Munro on fire
Over Summary: 2 2 4 6 0 4 ; New Zealand: 44-0
Shardul Thakur continues
Ball 6: A short of length delivery, Munro goes for a pull, gloves it over keeper for FOUR
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: A length delivery and Munro plays an extended straight drive for SIX
Ball 3: Munro smashes just wide of mid-on for FOUR
Ball 2: Munro collects a couple of runs as he hits over the infield on off side.
Ball 1: Munro hits towards mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.
Over 3
Over Summary: 0 1L 0 Wd 4 0 1 ; New Zealand: 26-0
Mohammed Shami, right arm medium fast, comes into the attack
Ball 6: Munro works towards square leg for a easy single.
Ball 5: A slow delivery outside off and Munro goes for a wild slog, misses
Ball 4: A length delivery and Munro plays a short arm jab towards square boundary for FOUR
Ball 4: A bumper, called WIDE
Ball 3: Munro tucks the short of length delivery towards mid-wicket for no run.
Ball 2: A single for Guptill
Ball 1: Guptill dabs towards backward point for no run.
Over 2
Over Summary: 1 4 1 0 0 6 ; New Zealand: 19-0
Shardul Thakur, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
Ball 6: A full delivery and Munro wallopes towards long-on boundary for SIX
Ball 5: DOT
Ball 4: Munro dabs towards short extra cover for no run.
Ball 3: Guptill punches towards mid-on for a quick single
Ball 2: Ball going down the leg side, Guptill glances towards fine leg boundary for FOUR
Ball 1: Munro collects a single towards left of mid-wicket fielder
Over 1
Over Summary: 0 4 1 Wd 0 1 0 ; New Zealand: 7-0
Martin Guptill and Colin Munro are at the crease. Guptill is on strike. Jasprit Bumrah opens the attack
Ball 6: Guptill dabs towards backward point for no run
Ball 5: A yorker and Munro digs it to backward square leg for a single.
Ball 4: A full delivery outside off and Guptill tries to slice it, misses.
Ball 4: WIDE down the leg side
Ball 3: Guptill dabs towards mid-wicket and collects a single as Chahal makes a sloppy effort
Ball 2: Guptill smashes on the up over mid-off for FOUR
Ball 1: Bumrah beats Guptill outside off.
India playing 11
India: Rohit Sharma, K L Rahul(w), Virat Kohli(c), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami
New Zealand playing 11
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson(c), Tim Seifert(w), Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Hamish Bennett
TOSS ALERT: India to bowl first
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson flips the coin, Indian skipper Virat Kohli calls heads and it is heads. India wins toss and elect bowl first.
T20s: Head to head in New Zealand
New Zealand won: 4
India won: 1
Key stats at Eden Park, Auckland
Average first innings winning score: 189
Pacers' wicket: 81
Spinners' wicket: 33
PITCH REPORT
"It's a boundary-hitting ground. No total is unchaseable. Looks a good pitch to bat on. There isn't any grass on the surface. Seamers might not get much help from it. ." reckon Sunil Gavaskar and Scott Styris during pitch report.
New Zealand guys are so nice, can't think of revenge: Kohli on WC semis debacle
The loss still rankles him but Virat Kohli on Thursday said he can't really bring himself to think of revenge when India take on New Zealand for the first time after the Kiwis sent his side packing from the ODI World Cup last year.
K L Rahul shows nifty glove-work during practice session
As India and New Zealand get ready for the five-match T20I series, K L Rahul on Thursday showed some nifty glove-work during the practice session.
Skipper Kohli has cleared the air regarding as to who will keep wickets in the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand and said that Rahul's wicket-keeping skills serve best the balance of the side.
The Men in Blue recently defeated Australia 2-1 in a three-match ODI series.
Regular keeper Pant was concussed in the first ODI of the series and as a result, Rahul had to keep wickets in the second and third ODI.
In the second ODI, Rahul went on to score 80 runs and performed well behind the stumps in the matches that followed.
Rahul, who replaced Rishabh Pant as a wicket-keeper, was seen keeping wickets with Jasprit Bumrah and Navdeep Saini charging into bowl.
The Eden Park wicket is known to produce a good bounce and carry, which should be useful for stroke players, as the ball will come on to the bat.
India vs New Zealand 1st T20: Weather report
The Auckland weather is expected to be pleasant on the match day, with no forecast of a rain. However, the windy conditions in Auckland could present a little bit of challenge to Indian batsmen, who do not have much time to get used to the conditions.
When and where to watch India vs New Zealand 1st T20 Live
Date: January 24, 2020 (Friday)
Time: 12:20 PM (IST)
Toss Timing: 11:50 pm IST
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
India vs New Zealand 1st T20 match will be telecast live on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 HD with English commentary. The same broadcast with Hindi commentary will be available on Star Sports 1 Hindi and Star Sports 1 Hindi HD. Fans could also watch the live streaming of India vs New Zealand match on Hotstar website and app.
India vs New Zealand 1st T20 predicted playing 11
India tentative playing 11: K L Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (WK), Washington Sundar/Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand tentative playing 11: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (C), Tim Seifert (WK), Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner
Here are the T20 squads of both the teams:
India squad: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma (VC), Sanju Samson, K L Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Navdeep Saini, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Scott Kuggeleijn, Colin Munro, Colin de Grandhomme, Tom Bruce, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Hamish Bennett, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner.
Samson, Prithvi replace Dhawan in T20 and ODI squad
India suffered major injury blows just before the start of their New Zealand tour as opener Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the entire limited-overs leg while pacer Ishant Sharma is set to miss the Test series.
Dhawan had dislocated his left shoulder while fielding in the third ODI against Australia in Bengaluru. Ishant, on the other hand, was declared unfit for the Tests starting February 21 owing to a tear in his right ankle, he suffered during a Ranji Trophy game on Monday.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson replaced Dhawan in the T20 Internationals while comeback-man Prithvi Shaw got his maiden selection call-up in the ODI squad in place of the senior opener. READ MORE...
India's Shikhar Dhawan after getting injured during the third and final ODI cricket match against Australia, at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Photo: PTI
India vs New Zealand 1st T20 Preview
Preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup on top of their agenda, India cricket team will take on an injury-hit New Zealand cricket team in a five-match T20 International (T20) series starting Friday during which seam-friendly wickets would be a major challenge for the visitors.
Unlike most overseas tours, this will be a quick start for the Indian team. In a tight season, the first T20 comes only five days after their last ODI against Australia at home.
The team arrived in Auckland on Tuesday and chose to rest on Wednesday. Thursday was when they hit the nets ahead of the tour-opening game.
On the plus side, this hectic schedule helps the team management maintain consistency in team selection as they continue experimenting across the available squad in a World Cup year. The T20 showpiece is scheduled to be held in Australia in October this year.
Despite injury issues to key white-ball personnel like Shikhar Dhawan, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Chahar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar this past home season, the bench strength has come across adequate and raring to go for challenges ahead. READ FULL ARTCILE HERE