New Zealand beat India by seven wickets in fifth T20I as India take series 3-2
New Zealand concluded the T20I series on a high, securing a win in Hamilton to close proceedings. Another high-scoring battle saw the Blackcaps walk away with the bragging rights, completing a successful chase after India put together a handful of neat cameos with the bat. India still took the five-match series 3-2.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first. India had an early challenge to deal with as both openers, Abhishek Sharma (1) and Sanju Samson (1), were back in the pavilion early. Adam Milne’s double whammy left India stuttering. However, the Men in Blue were quick to find resilience in Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, whose counterattack pushed New Zealand back.
The duo of Kishan and Iyer added 93 runs for the third wicket from just 43 balls, with the former calling the shots. Kishan smashed 61 off just 32 balls, hammering five fours and five sixes. Iyer was happy to play second fiddle in the partnership, and once Blair Tickner got the better of Kishan, the Indian captain switched gears.
Iyer played a blistering knock of 50 from just 23 balls, clobbering three fours and four sixes. Much to India’s woes, they lost three quick wickets in the form of Kishan, Iyer and Tilak Varma (6). However, just when it felt that India might be looking at a collapse, Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy stepped up and dispelled all fears of chaos.
The two smashed 46 runs together from just 30 balls. Dhir whacked 33 off 23, while Nitish racked up 22 off 17. India finished on 191/8 at the end of their 20 overs, a solid score despite the hiccups in the middle. Milne brought the firepower for the Kiwis as he registered figures of 4/19.
India got an early breakthrough in the form of Finn Allen (2) as Arshdeep Singh struck, but the joy was short-lived for the Men in Blue. Tim Seifert took over the reins of the game, with Daryl Mitchell playing the anchor to steady the Kiwi innings.
Mitchell (29) and Seifert added 73 runs for the second wicket, pushing India onto the back foot. Varun Chakravarthy did manage to break the stand, but the hosts kept their foot on the accelerator throughout the chase. An incoming Glenn Phillips continued exactly from where Mitchell left off.
Seifert looked in complete control, smashing 93 off just 50 balls before Nitish Kumar Reddy breached his defences. However, Seifert’s dismissal came too late, as New Zealand were in cruise control and went on to win the game with 12 balls to spare. Phillips stayed unbeaten on 65 off just 38 balls as New Zealand bagged a seven-wicket win.
Milne won the Player of the Match award, while Phillips was named Player of the Series for his tally of 341 runs. India return to action on 4 November, when they play the first ODI in Auckland.
