The Men in Blue fell just four runs short of victory at Hamilton in the deciding game between India and New Zealand as they chased the total of 212 runs. After winning the toss, India elected to field first and the Pandya brothers- Krunal and Hardik jointly gave away 98 runs from 48 balls. The Indians lost their first wicket in the form of Shikhar Dhawan and shortly post this, the Indian batting lineup collapsed one after the other. Shortly after MS Dhoni made way to the pavilion, Dinesh Karthik and Krunal Pandya were on the crease. MS Dhoni’s Brilliant Stumping Sends Tim Seifert Packing During IND vs NZ, 3rd T20I 2019 (Watch Video).
Krunal’s tall sixes and fours reduced the asking rate and gave India hopes for winning the decider. By the end of it, the visitors needed 16 runs from an over. Karthik’s first shot gave him a couple of runs and he was batting once again. Tim Southee then bowled a wide but the umpire refused to give an extra run. Karthik was still on the crease and the next delivery was hit on long-on. Krunal Pandya ran halfway down the crease but Karthik turned down a single. IND vs NZ 3rd T20I 2019 Video Highlights: New Zealand Deny India Perfect Finish, Grab T20I Series With 4-run Win.
Karthik apologised for the same as he was confident of pulling off a miraculous victory like during Nidhas Trophy 2018. But this increased the pressure on the team and the wicket-keeper batsman produced another failed attempt to a boundary leaving India to the target of 12 from 2 balls. The game ended with a maximum from Karthik but the team fell short of four runs. Hardik and Krunal Pandya TROLLED Brutally After Their Dismal Performance During India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I 2019 (Read Tweets).
— MS (@premchoprafan) February 10, 2019
This angered the netizens and they posted tweets on social media lashing out at Karthik.
DK didnt take the single !
I backed Dhoni when he backed himself to finish .. no reason to not back DK !#NZvIND
— Shreyans Mehta (@ShreyansMehta7) February 10, 2019
Here’s another one.
Dinesh Karthik 😡😡😡😡
Mereko strike Kyu mahi diya #NZvIND
— Sir krunal Pandya (@SirKrunalPandya) February 10, 2019
This is what a netizen had to say.
What was DK’s point in refusing the single? It’s not like he was batting with a tailender who couldn’t have hit a 6. Krunal had just as much chance of clearing the boundary as DK. This “misjudgement” might perhaps cost him a potential World Cup spot. #NZvIND
— महादादा (@mahadada) February 10, 2019
A funny meme.
Krunal Pandya to Dinesh Kartik after the match:#NZvIND 😡😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/cIhE3D81v3
— Gajal (@Gajal_Dalmia) February 10, 2019
India lost the series by 2-1. With this, India lost their first T20I bilateral series since July 2017. Also, the series defeat was India's second in New Zealand. The first was in 2008/09 tour under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 10, 2019 07:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).