Thiruvananthapuram: Indian bowlers defended a modest-looking 67 with admirable discipline as the hosts pipped New Zealand by six runs in the rain-hit third Twenty20 to claim the series 2-1, here Tuesday.
Playing spoilsport, the rains reduced the decisive match of the series and first ever international at Greenfield Stadium here to an eight-over per side affair.
Stroke-making was not easy under the conditions and all the hosts could manage to put on board was 67 for five, featuring only seven boundaries, including three sixes.
However, the Indian pacers and spinners, especially Jasprit Bumrah (2/9 off 2 overs) and Yuzvendra Chahal (0/8 in 2) bowled their hearts out to carve out a thrilling win for the hosts. They were brilliantly supported by the fielders.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Martin Guptill (1) while Bumrah packed off the dangerous Colin Munro (7). The early wickets pegged New Zealand back and they could never settle and eventually buckled under pressure.
Hardik Pandya bowled the last over with the Kiwis requiring 19 runs. A massive six by Colin de Grandhomme threw tension in the air for the home fans but Pandya managed to pull it off. “I knew I could do it, I backed myself,” Pandya said after the game.
Earlier, both Shikhar Dhawan (6) and Rohit Sharma (8) struggled to time the ball, with Trent Boult (1/13) having a perfect bowler-friendly platform to execute his skills.
With the match being reduced to what can be aptly turned a shootout, both Rohit and Dhawan had to go for their shots and perished in the third over off successive balls from Tim Southee (2/13).
Virat Kohli (13, 6b, 1×4, 1×6) tried to lift the gloom by smashing Ish Sodhi (2/23) for a four and six but the Indian skipper could not clear the ropes in his second attempt and was caught by Boult at deep mid-wicket off the same bowler.
It was however, Manish Pandey’s (17, 11b, 1×4, 1×6) that took India past the 60-run mark. Pandya (14, 10b, 1×6) also helped India’s cause.
However, it was puzzling to see both MS Dhoni and Pandya coming into bat after Shreyas Iyer and Pandey. Both being the power-hitters in the Indian side, it would have been better had they come up the order. However, now that India have won the series, all these questions will go under the mat.
Agencies