India close to exit door as New Zealand beat them by 8 wickets


Shajedul Rahin | Published: October 31, 2021 23:27:49


Photo: ESPNCricinfo

New Zealand have beaten India by 8 wickets in the 28th match of Super 12 Group B in T20 World Cup 2021.

While chasing a target of 111, Martin Guptill tried to start aggressively. After playing a couple of classy shots, he was deceived by Bumrah's slower one and walked back to the pavilion.

Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson put on a 72-run partnership after that. Mitchell played his best innings of this year's T20 World Cup. Hitting 4 fours and 3 sixes, he scored 49 off just 35 deliveries.

Kane Williamson anchored the innings and was not out on 33 playing 31 balls. Bumrah's brilliant effort picking up 2 wickets and conceding just 19 wasn’t enough to defend such a small target.

Earlier, Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain had won the toss and chose to bowl first.

India managed to score only 110 runs which is their lowest ever score in T20 World Cup history while batting first. Trent Boult and Southee presented terrific line and length, with swinging and scrambled seam deliveries straight away in the powerplay.

The pressure was built and India were quickly cut down to 40/3 after Boult, Southee and Sodhi picked up the wickets of Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma respectively.

Ish Sodhi, the birthday boy also got rid of Virat Kohli. It was his 2nd consecutive time picking up Kohli's wicket in a T20 World Cup match. Boult and Sodhi ended with bowling figures of 3/20 and 2/17 respectively.

Ish Sodhi was awarded the player of the match for his brilliance against the top-class batsmen, making his birthday night special.

shajedulrahin5499@gmail.com

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