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NZ beat IND by 80 runs | New Zealand vs India, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st T20I Match - Commentary
India in New Zealand, 3 T20 International Series, 2019
Date: Feb 06, 2019 Start Time: 12:30 IST | 07:00 GMT | 20:00 LocalVenue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
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New Zealand vs India Highlights And Cricket Score 1st Match - T20I Commentary
220 to win. 20 overs is the time allotted. Whose side are you on? I suggest do not be on any. Take a break and come back with some coffee. You may not get time to take another break when the run fest resumes. Stay tuned...
Should we talk about the bowlers? Poor guys, we should. It is a day when 4-0-37-1 are considered to be decent. Everyone went for plenty and to be honest, India might think that the Kiwis are 20 runs short because of the run rate slowing down with the wickets in the middle. The fielding was a let down, so that is a cause of concern.
India did threaten to come back though. They managed to slow down proceedings with the wickets of Williamson and Daryl Mitchell but then the unbeaten 24-run stand in just 11 balls for the 7th wicket has given the Kiwis some edge. Probably.
Crash, bang, pummel, slap, pound, clobber, clunk. That is what we got to see for a major portion of the innings. The move to select Tim Seifert worked for the Kiwis and he responded brilliantly, putting the Indians to the sword. He single-handedly took charge of the situation, smashing 84 from just 43 balls, with 7 fours and 6 sixes. The rest just about managed to touch 15 boundaries, that too, due to the explosion at the end.
Highest score for New Zealand against India in T20Is. Highest for the Kiwis at this ground as well. Boy, we have seen a run fest. And I daresay, it has just started.
Khaleel Ahmed to Mitchell Santner. FOUR! Not sure if that was in the gap or due to Dhawan slipping, it went to the boundary. A full toss and on off, Santner goes down on one knee and slogs it. It is hit well and it seems in the gap. However, Dhawan out there slips leaving him no chance to stop the ball. Perfect end to the innings. 9 from the last three balls and 12 from the over. NEW ZEALAND END WITH 219!
Khaleel Ahmed to Scott Kuggeleijn. Another slower ball and it is shorter in length, Scott pulls it all along the ground but to the man at deep mid-wicket for a single.
Khaleel Ahmed to Scott Kuggeleijn. FOUR! New Zealand though have started the second half well. All power this. Kuggeleijn sits back and waits for the slower ball to arrive. He smashes it through extra cover and into the fence.
Khaleel Ahmed to Mitchell Santner. Good change in length and in pace. Short and outside off, it is slapped down to long off for a run. India have won the first part of the final over.
Khaleel Ahmed to Scott Kuggeleijn. Slower ball outside off, SK is a touch early into the shot, it goes off the inner half through square leg for a single.
Khaleel Ahmed to Mitchell Santner. A full toss on off, Santner swings his bat across the line sends it to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Khaleel Ahmed to bowl the last over. False start first up, stops before the crease as he looks at his field...
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Scott Kuggeleijn. SIX! All the way! 17 runs from the penultimate over! Kuggeleijn is playing an excellent cameo here. This is a top shot! It is full and wide once again outside off. SK lofts it over covers, the timing is such that it has carried all the way. 220 is now possible. One over to go, 13 needed.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Scott Kuggeleijn. Once again the batter shuffles right across and Kumar falls into the trap. He tries to hit the stumps but bowls it down leg. Wide signaled.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Scott Kuggeleijn. FOUR! Clever, very clever! Kuggeleijn moves right across and Bhuvi bowls it wide outside off, very wide I should write. But SK smartly opens the face of the bat and then guides it past the short third man fielder who puts in a dive and into the fence. Second in the over, so despite the wicket, runs are flowing.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Scott Kuggeleijn. The slower one, it is quite slow and outside off. SK throws his bat at it but misses.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Scott Kuggeleijn. EDGY FOUR! New Zealand won't mind how they come as long as they come. This is frustrating though for India. Short and outside off, Kuggeleijn slashes at it, it goes off the outside edge and through the vacant slip region to the third man boundary.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Mitchell Santner. Slower one, on a length and angling away from the batsman, Santner pushes it gently towards point for a run.
Scott Kuggeleijn is in next.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor. OUT! Another one straight up in the air and Khaleel just about takes it. Taylor departs so the drop does not cost India a lot. It is outside off and on a length. Taylor looks to drag his shot on the leg side. Only manages a top edge. Another skier for an Indian fielder. Khaleel at short fine leg settles under it and just about holds onto the catch. It was actually a good call. Three fielders were circling under it - Khaleel, Dhoni and Rishabh Pant at square leg. But Khaleel calls for it, stands still and takes it. Oops... almost drops it as the ball pops out but it sticks in his hand. Can India now keep the Kiwis under 210?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor. Wide! It's too wide outside off, left alone.
Hardik Pandya to Ross Taylor. A gentle length delivery wide outside off, Taylor cuts it through point and takes a run. 10 runs and a wicket from Hardik's last over, was expensive today. Conceded 51.
Mitchell Santner is the new batsman with 13 balls left.
Hardik Pandya to Colin de Grandhomme. OUT! Colin departs off a full toss. But a lot of credit has to be given to the catch there, especially on a day where India have been lackluster in the field. Another high full toss to Colin de Grandhomme. He pulls it hard but gets it very high in the air. For a second it seems like the ball has cleared the ropes but then with the parabolic trajectory ending, a fielder comes in sight. It is the substitute Mohammed Siraj who does really well to settle under it. He also has to keep a track of where the ropes are. Judges it really well and takes a tumbling catch to his left.
Hardik Pandya to Ross Taylor. A low full toss, it is flicked through square leg for a run.
Hardik Pandya to Ross Taylor. In the air... dropped! Karthik has put down another sitter. This was really easy. Firstly it was a full toss on middle, Taylor fails to time it well. He has more height on this than distance. It goes straight towards deep mid-wicket. Karthik there tries to take it but drops. Hard to say how? The ball went straight in and then straight out. Hit his hands, went right through, into the bread basket and down. Two taken by the batsmen. India have been really poor in the field today. Will Taylor make them pay now? He can be dangerous.
Hardik Pandya to Ross Taylor. Top response! A yorker outside off, all Taylor can do is jam it out towards the bowler.
Hardik Pandya to Ross Taylor. SIX! That just crosses the ropes! Right in the zone for Taylor. Full and on middle, he hits it high up in the air towards mid-wicket. It is in the gap though and it is hit well enough to clear the ropes. Ideal start to the over, pressure on the bowler.
Hardik Pandya to bowl the 18th.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor. Turns it off his pads through mid-wicket for a single. A good comeback in the last three balls by Kumar. 11 in total from the over.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Colin de Grandhomme. Very full and outside off, it's forced from the crease to extra cover and it's fielded inside the ring. The single is not prevented.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor. Length again, once again Taylor takes it from outside off and drills it down to long on for one. 9 runs so far.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor. SIX! Wow, that's flat and all the way! Kumar serves it on a length and way wide outside off. Ross reaches out for it and rifles it all the way over extra cover.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor. High in the air... SAFE! Taylor fetches a length ball from outside off and swings his bat across the line. It flies off the top edge and falls in no man's land at cow corner. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Ross Taylor. Keeps it fuller and wider outside off, Taylor walks across, flashes his bat at it but misses. Not given a wide and Rosco ain't too pleased. Not a bad call there by the umpire as Taylor was shuffling across too much.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back on to bowl at the death.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor. A flatter and shorter one to end! Taylor rocks back and looks to pull. It goes off the lower portion of the bat as it did not bounce as anticipated. It goes towards mid-wicket for another run. Finishes his spell with a brilliant over. 5 runs and the big wicket of Williamson. His figures too are good in the context of the game. It reads 4-0-35-1.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Colin de Grandhomme. Another googly and once again Colin does not pick it. He looks to go hard again but once again it is off the inner half through mid-wicket for another single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor. Nicely bowled! The length is perfect and it is on off, a little turn. Taylor pushes it towards covers for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Colin de Grandhomme. Colin is going after it straightaway! It is the googly, he does not pick it. Looks to go hard through the off side but it goes off the inner half towards long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ross Taylor. Tosses it up on off, Taylor strokes it down to long off and gets to the other end.
Colin de Grandhomme is the new man in.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kane Williamson. OUT! Well, Rosco has arrived but Williamson departs! India are making a good comeback here. Chahal drops it short and on middle, Williamson moves back to pull it over mid-wicket but it seems the ball arrives a bit late off the surface which results in him mistiming the shot. As a result, Kane doesn't get enough meat behind it and Hardik in the deep takes the catch easily. Both the set batsmen gone, two new batters in the middle, can the Black Caps still finish on a high?
Ross Taylor arrives.
Hardik Pandya to Daryl Mitchell. OUT! Yes, it is clean as a whistle! The dangerous Mitchell has been given his marching orders. Pandya finishes a very expensive over well. He bowls the full one and it might be the slower one. DM looks to clear the long on fence but it is not off the middle. Still for a second it did seem like it would clear the ropes. Dinesh Karthik though who dropped one earlier, takes it but then realizes he is losing his balance. Throws it up, crosses the ropes, comes back in and then takes it with a dive. He though is not sure and Mitchell continues completing his run. The umpires now take it upstairs. Replays show the confusion in Karthik's mind. While coming in to take that catch, his left leg touches the ropes. However, it is off when he dives. So it is pretty safe. Then they check for the no ball, that too is fine. This is what India have to do if they are to stem the run flow. PICK WICKETS!
Has that been taken? Karthik is not sure though, the umpires have taken it upstairs.
Hardik Pandya to Daryl Mitchell. Mitchell shuffles right across. Pandya looks to bowl it on the stumps but sprays it down the leg side. Wide signaled.
Hardik Pandya to Daryl Mitchell. Another couple! Mitchell strokes it wide of the long off. They run the first one hard and then go for a second. The fielder misfields and makes the second easy for the batsmen.
Hardik Pandya to Kane Williamson. Changes his length and goes very full on off, Williamson strokes it towards mid off and goes for a run. The fielder misses his shy at the non-striker's end. Mitchell is ready for for the second but Williamson is not. They settle for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Kane Williamson. SIX! 230 is possible if he keeps hitting like this! Another short one and Williamson picks the length early. He once again pulls it right off the meat and into the square leg stand.
Hardik Pandya to Kane Williamson. SIX! Dispatched! Williamson surely expected a short and he got one there. He was in position quickly, hits it right off the middle and over the square leg fence. 150 up and more than 5 overs to go. 220?
Hardik Pandya to Daryl Mitchell. Wide outside off again, this time though it is inside the wide line. Mitchell does get bat to it and hits it through cover for a run.
Hardik Pandya to Daryl Mitchell. WIDE! False start for him. He tries a slower one but it is way wide outside off. It has been wided. DM did shuffle across and looked to cut but it was very wide.
Hardik Pandya is back.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kane Williamson. Sits down on one knee and and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket. Krunal does well in the deep and saves two for his team.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kane Williamson. Tossed up ball on middle, Williamson turns it through mid-wicket and immediately calls for two. Completes it with ease.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Daryl Mitchell. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kane Williamson. A googly around off, turning back in, Williamson moves back to keep it out at the last moment. The ball rolls in the gap towards short third man and they take a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kane Williamson. Short and outside off, cut straight to cover-point.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kane Williamson. Flatter and shorter on middle, punched wide of mid on for a couple of runs.
Khaleel Ahmed to Daryl Mitchell. FOUR! Aerially past the bowler for a boundary. A length ball angling back into the batsman, Mitchell brings down a straight bat and slaps it past the bowler. Khaleel ducks there to avoid any harm to himself. 11 from the over along with a wicket.
Khaleel Ahmed to Daryl Mitchell. Excellent delivery. Khaleel bends his back and digs in a short ball on off, Mitchell goes on his toes and defends it down safely.
Debutant Daryl Mitchell is in.
Khaleel Ahmed to Tim Seifert. OUT! Timberrrr... No century for Tim Seifert. It's an excellent delivery. Khaleel spears in a fuller length ball on off, Tim remains back to heave it over the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the stumps. India will be relieved to see his back. He was going bonkers in his knock of 84 from 43 balls.
Khaleel Ahmed to Kane Williamson. Well bowled this time. Drops it short but takes the pace off it. Williamson skips down the track but is deceived in pace. Somehow manages to get it away off the bottom half towards mid on and takes a run.
Khaleel Ahmed to Kane Williamson. SIX! Khaleel runs in from 'round the wicket and angles in a short ball around off, Williamson uses the angle to his advantage. Rocks back and rockets his pull over mid-wicket.
Khaleel Ahmed to Kane Williamson. Slower delivery, short and outside off, Williamson pushes it from the crease but finds the cover fielder.
Khaleel Ahmed is back on. 0/25 from 2 overs so far.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Tim Seifert. SIX! That has gone deep into the crowd. Great finish to the over by Seifert. Full floated on middle, Tim gets the opportunity to sit down and hoick it over mid-wicket. 13 from the over, New Zealand are cruising.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Tim Seifert. FOUR! Extra flight on this occasion, it lands full and wide outside off, Seifert reaches out for it and crunches his drive through covers for a boundary.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kane Williamson. Shortish and pulled to deep mid-wicket for another single in this over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Tim Seifert. Bowls it with a quick-arm action, it's short and on leg, Seifert gets back and forces it down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kane Williamson. Very full, around off, Williamson initially looks to sweep but then adjusts on seeing the length. Pushes the ball to long on for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, pushed back to the bowler.
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. DROPPED BY DK! Oh dear, what have you done? A full flighted ball on middle, Seifert kneels for another big shot but this time he has skied it up towards long on. Karthik runs forward but drops a dolly. Two taken. Krunal has bowled out, 4-0-37-1, a decent spell given the hammering other bowlers have received so far.
Krunal Pandya to Kane Williamson. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. Goes on the back foot and punches it through covers for one.
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. SIX! Just over the fielder! Seifert is putting on a show here. Full and floated on off, Tim plays an inside-out shot and it goes flying over wide long off for back-to-back maximums.
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. SIX! High and handsome! Krunal drops it short around off, Seifert wears his skates to run down the track and dismisses it over mid-wicket for a maximum.
Krunal Pandya to Kane Williamson. Flatter and shorter on off, Williamson moves back and eases it through covers for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kane Williamson. Loopy and full on off, Williamson pushes at it and gets an inside edge past the stumps to short fine leg. They steal a run as Bhuvneshwar scores a direct hit at the striker's end. Nothing doing. 9 from Chahal's first over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Tim Seifert. Full and on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Tim Seifert. Quicker and fuller on middle, Tim gets across the stumps and slogs it over backward square leg. Two taken.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Tim Seifert. FOUR! Finds the gap with perfection! A shortish ball on middle and off, Seifert jumps inside the crease to play the reverse-batted shot and does so aerially through the gap between point and short third man.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kane Williamson. Another short ball around off, Williamson goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket. A single has been taken. The replays show that it reached the batsman late and Kane nearly lost his balance.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kane Williamson. Drops it short and quick on off, Williamson taps it down to short third man.
Yuzvendra Chahal is introduced into the attack.
Krunal Pandya to Kane Williamson. Shortish and outside off, cut through cover-point for one. First decent over for India today, 3 runs and a wicket from it!
Krunal Pandya to Kane Williamson. Krunal is not happy! He's complaining to the umpire. A mistimed shot by Williamson and the ball lobs back in the direction of the bowler. Krunal attempts for the catch with a dive but collides with Seifert. The bowler gets up angry and appeals while seeing the umpire. Obstructing the field? Don't think so. Tim has every right to hold his ground.
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. The batsman plays a sweep shot. They pick up a single.
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. Arm ball on middle, skidding into the batsman from a shorter side, Seifert moves back and hits it on the off side. Not in the gap.
Kane Williamson is the new batsman.
Krunal Pandya to Colin Munro. OUT! Munro holes out. Krunal shows the courage to flight it up and lands it on the fuller side on middle. Colin tries to clear long on but gets more height than distance. Shankar near the fence catches it easily. End of a big first wicket partnership. Can India build on this breakthrough?
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. Fifty for Seifert, his maiden in T20Is! Quicker one on the pads, Tim works it through mid-wicket for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Colin Munro. Munro misses out! Shortish ball in the line of the stumps, Colin stays back to pull it across the line but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It deflects to point.
Hardik Pandya to Tim Seifert. Fullish and on off, Seifert pushes it firmly down to long on for a run.
Hardik Pandya to Tim Seifert. The length continues to be on the shorter side. It's outside off, Tim cracks it off his back foot but finds the backward point fielder. Either side of him and it would have been another boundary.
Hardik Pandya to Tim Seifert. SIX! This is very poor bowling. Keeping short and serving it on the hips of the batsman, Seifert just turns and dispatches it over deep backward square leg for a biggie.
Hardik Pandya to Tim Seifert. EDGY FOUR! Short in length around off, not enough room, Seifert throws his bat at it and the outside edge flies wide of Dhoni to the third man fence. Boundaries continue to flow.
Hardik Pandya to Tim Seifert. Play and a miss! Pandya pitches it up and outside off, Seifert winds up for a big heave-ho across the line but fails to make any connection.
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. A huge shout for LBW, turned down. The arm ball again, in line of the stumps, Seifert gets down to pull but misses. The ball hits him on the pads and up go the Indians. Going down leg mostly. A quick leg bye taken.
Krunal Pandya to Colin Munro. Again it's on the shorter side on off, Munro rocks back and punches it to sweeper cover. A single taken.
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. Short and on off, Seifert moves back and forces it through cover-point for one.
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. FOUR! Terrific improvisation. Full and around off, Seifert gets down and reverse sweeps it over backward point for a boundary!
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. Risky shot. The arm ball outside off, Seifert looks to initially drive, then decides to cut. Is late and the ball goes off the outside edge towards third man.
Krunal Pandya to Colin Munro. Short and outside off, slapped through the covers for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Colin Munro. Bunts it down in the direction of mid on and scampers across to the other end. The fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end. 66/0 in the Powerplay, a brilliant start for the Black Caps.
Hardik Pandya to Tim Seifert. Too full in length and on middle, Seifert clips it through mid-wicket and collects a single.
Hardik Pandya to Tim Seifert. FOUR! That's brutal! A slower delivery but on the shorter side outside off, Tim picks it early, goes on the back foot, waits for it and then slaps it through cover-point.
Hardik Pandya to Tim Seifert. Slower in pace, on a length and following the batsman down the leg side, Seifert makes room but only hits it to point.
Hardik Pandya to Tim Seifert. FOUR! Up and just over short fine leg! Once again it's a touch short and angling in on middle and leg, Seifert turns and pulls it over Khaleel inside the ring.
Hardik Pandya to Colin Munro. Poor delivery with fine leg up. Gets away with it. Only a run as Munro turns a shortish ball off his hips to deep square leg.
Hardik Pandya to Colin Munro. Wide called for height! Pandya digs in a short ball but it goes well over the head of the batsman.
Another bowling change. Hardik Pandya has the ball in his hand. Brothers bowling in tandem.
Krunal Pandya to Colin Munro. Quicker through the air, a touch short around leg, Munro moves back and punches it down through wide mid on for a run.
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. The arm ball now, outside off, Tim looks to defend but the ball comes in, skids through and almost goes through the gap between bat and pad. Takes the inside edge and goes to short fine leg. A single taken.
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. SIX! POUNDED! Full and around off, Seifert gets down and slog sweeps it way over backward square leg! That was hit beautifully. 50 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND INSIDE 5 OVERS!
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. Dropped by Dhoni! Flatter and shorter around off, Seifert tries to cut but it's too close to his body. It takes the outside edge, hurries behind to Dhoni who fails to hold on.
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. Goes down on one knee and sweeps it past backward square leg for a couple.
Krunal Pandya to Tim Seifert. Short and around off, Seifert gets back and cuts it towards short third off the outside half.
Spin time! Krunal Pandya to bowl.
Khaleel Ahmed to Tim Seifert. Shortish and around off, Seifert drags his pull shot off the inside half and it travels in front of square leg. A single to complete the over, 16 from it and 31 in the last two.
Khaleel Ahmed to Tim Seifert. Up and over the infield! A slower one landing full on middle, Tim tries to flick but closes the face early. It flies off the leading edge over cover-point for a couple.
Khaleel Ahmed to Tim Seifert. Beaten! This is excellent bowling. Khaleel slants across a back of a length ball around off and takes it away with the angle. Seifert tries to push it through the line but misses.
Khaleel Ahmed to Colin Munro. Not a bad reply by Khaleel. Spears this one in, a near yorker on middle, Munro pushes it back past the bowler towards mid on and pinches a run.
Fine leg pushed back. And what has happened here? The bails have come off. Heavy wind blowing across. Hope the dark clouds hovering over the stadium are blown over.
Khaleel Ahmed to Colin Munro. SIX! This one is flat! My goodness, Colin is so powerful. Khaleel alters his length to go short, pitches it wide outside off and Munro muscles it over point. The bowler is under immense pressure now.
Khaleel Ahmed to Colin Munro. SIX! That's gone the distance! The angle of the bowler assisted that shot. A slower one angling into the batsman from around off, Munro sits down on one knee and smokes it over mid-wicket.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert. Misses out there, Tim! Short and wide outside off, Seifert stays back and slaps it through the line. Fails to find the gap at point. Dot ball to end the over, 15 from it!
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert. FOUR! That's crisply struck down the ground. Kumar angles in a full length ball around middle and off, Seifert clears his front leg and smacks it straight down the ground for a boundary.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert. Back of a length delivery outside off, Tim gets across the stumps a bit and taps it down to point.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert. SIX! PLUNDERED! The knuckle ball from Bhuvi but Seifert has picked it. A length ball, around off, Tim walks down the track and sends it over mid-wicket many a mile!
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Colin Munro. In the air... not timed that well and it falls safe! A touch short in length ball around leg, Colin comes down the track and heaves it over mid-wicket. It falls in no man's land in the deep and Rohit chases it down from mid on. Three taken.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Colin Munro. A length ball sliding down the leg side, Munro swings his bat across the line but fails to make proper connection. It probably runs off his gloves to fine leg and they take a couple.
Khaleel Ahmed to Colin Munro. Outside off, dabbed to third man for a run.
Khaleel Ahmed to Colin Munro. Excellent bowling. Khaleel rolls his fingers over the ball and CM does not pick the slower one, at 121 kph. Swings hard but early and misses.
Khaleel Ahmed to Colin Munro. Fuller and wider outside off, Colin misses out. He slashes hard but cannot connect.
Khaleel Ahmed to Colin Munro. FOUR! No half measures. This is an overpitched delivery and now, Munro is ready. Waits for the ball to come in his zone and lofts it cleanly over mid off. One bounce and into the fence.
Khaleel Ahmed to Colin Munro. FOUR! Goes aerial but does not time it properly. A length ball outside off, Munro looks to go over mid off but mistimes it. Rohit Sharma gives it a good chase but fails to make a case. He dives near the ropes but in vain.
Khaleel Ahmed to Colin Munro. A length ball outside off, driven straight to cover.
Khaleel Ahmed to bowl from the other end.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Colin Munro. Another flick, just one again. So that is 4 singles off the opening over. Decent start by Bhuvi.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert. Down the leg side, helped through square leg for one.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Colin Munro. Around middle, worked towards mid-wicket for a run.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert. This one holds off the deck, Seifert looks to push but the ball comes on slowly, takes the outside edge and goes just wide of cover. A single taken to get the innings underway.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert. A length ball outside off, punched towards mid off again.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert. A length ball outside off, punched towards mid off.
Time to get underway. The Indian team is in a huddle now. Colin Munro and Tim Seifert are the Kiwi openers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to kick off proceedings. A slip in place. All set, let's play...
National anthems going on currently. India's first followed by New Zealand's.
Pitch report - It's cold with strong wind blowing across the field says Simon Doull to begin with. Informs that 134 overs have been bowled so far on this surface. Mentions that there is a nice covering of grass and feels that there will be a little bit of slow turn. Doull is expecting plenty of runs but also suggests that playing through the wind will be a challenge for the batsmen.
New Zealand's skipper, Kane Williamson says that from the other night, just some subtle assessments need to be made in understanding the conditions and hopes that his unit is better prepared tonight. Informs that Daryl Mitchell makes his debut today, adding that Doug Bracewell and Jimmy Neesham miss out. Agrees that the change in squads is due to the change in format. Wants his side to play with freedom and express itself. On the fresh faces getting an opportunity, Williamson says that every chance one gets to play for his country needs to be cherished and one needs to enjoy himself.
India's skipper, Rohit Sharma says that they like to chase as a team and they have a good record doing so. Feels the pitch looks good and they are ready to see what target is set to them. Adds that they wanted to challenge themselves in the last game and hence chose to bat first in spite of early moisture in the surface but here it's a fresh start, different format and they are looking for a cracking beginning. Informs that they have a few new guys to play in this format, namely Krunal Pandya and Rishabh Pant.
Toss - Up goes the coin and it comes down in favour of the touring team. INDIA WILL FIELD!
Stat - In the last 5 T20Is, New Zealand have the letter W just once while India have the letter L only once. Easy to understand the in-form team then. However, in this part of the world, the Men in Blue are yet to win a match in this format. Is today the day?
Currently placed second in the T20I rankings, if India clean sweep the series, they will narrow the gap with their arch rivals who are atop while in case of New Zealand winning 3-0, they will jump from number 6 to number 3, provided Pakistan beat South Africa later in the evening. In the case of South Africa beating Pakistan and winning their series 3-0, the Black Caps will become 4th and India will slip to number 3. So, it might look an inconsequential drill to play this format with the 50-over World Cup fast approaching, but there is still plenty to look forward to. Stay tuned for more updates...
Apart from an aberration in Hamilton, it's been all India on this tour. New Zealand have failed to compete at the same level and there is a clear difference in quality between the two sides. But come the T20Is and that difference won't matter much. It's a format where most things are unpredictable and that's the beauty of it. The Men in Blue though still come across as a better-balanced unit compared to the Kiwis who will be without their most successful batsman in T20Is, Martin Guptill, and the in-form bowler, Trent Boult. So, what's going to be the script here in Wellington? Just wait and watch as we welcome you all for the coverage...
That is all from this game then. India's wait for a T20I win in New Zealand continues - played 3, lost 3. They get another opportunity, come Eden Park, on Friday, February 8, 2019 at 7 pm local (0600 GMT). A must-win for India, to keep the series alive. Do join us. Won't you? ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Victorious New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson is happy with his side's all-round display. Now, wants to come back after a day's break and do well in the second T20I. Praises the young Seifert and Munro for building a solid opening stand. Adds that the bowling performance was outstanding, along with the fielding, though the good score on the board was a cushion. Feels special for Daryl Mitchell who bowled extremely well in spite of being on debut. Cheekily says that it was an all-round performance which does not come every day.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma admits that India were outplayed. Admits the chase was never going to be easy and regular wickets made it tough. Says that they have chased down 200-plus targets in the past though. But laments the lack of partnerships in the cause. On the other side, he admires the Kiwis for batting well. On the decision at the toss in the second game, Rohit says that he will decide only after reaching the venue. As far as this game was concerned, Sharma says that it all depends on what the team comfortable is doing with and with 8 batsmen, chasing seemed the right idea.
No surprises. Indeed, it is TIM SEIFERT WHO HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Siefert says it is a great way to start the series and the boys are also very happy. Mentions they wanted to put the pressure on the Indians right from the start. Ends by saying that he played how he usually does and it came off well.
Earlier in the day, the Indian bowlers received a total hammering. Tim Seifert stole the show with a b breathtaking 84 from 54 balls and took the win out of India's sails. He looks the best candidate for the Man Of The Match. Stay tuned for the presentation...
Chasing 220, 2 out of 10 times see the chasing side win. India fell in the other 8 this time. What will be disappointing for them, apart from the bowling and fielding is the way the batting performed tonight. No one stepped up, with only 4 batsmen crossing double digits. Agreed, that 220 was not that easy a chase but may be, the batsmen could have spent some time in the middle. Too many shots were played.
Lock, stock and barrel. That is the best way to describe this game for India. Completely outplayed. They might have been in it for around 4-5 overs but the remaining 35 belonged to New Zealand.
Daryl Mitchell to Yuzvendra Chahal. OUT! Maiden T20I wicket for Mitchell. He finishes things up. The slower one on middle, Chahal swings but misses, he is way too early into the shot. The ball hits the middle pole. NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 80 RUNS!
Daryl Mitchell to Khaleel Ahmed. Just a run off the Free Hit. What more can you expect though from a number 11? Full and on middle, it is hit down to long on for a single.
FREE HIT TIME.
Daryl Mitchell to Yuzvendra Chahal. Starts off with a high full toss outside off, Chahal hits it through covers for a run. Has been given as a no ball for height. Free Hit coming up.
Khaleel Ahmed is the last man in. Also, Darryl Mitchell to bowl the last over.
Tim Southee to MS Dhoni. OUT! Caught! Straight to the man. A short ball, Dhoni pulls but straight to Lockie Ferguson at deep square leg. So the only thing which was left worth waiting for - A Dhoni 50 - is not coming either.
Tim Southee to MS Dhoni. Slower ball outside off, MSD throws his bat at it but misses.
Tim Southee to MS Dhoni. FOUR! POUNDED! Full and outside off, Dhoni hammers this straight back over the bowler to the fence towards long off.
Tim Southee to MS Dhoni. Full and around middle, MSD swings but misses. Is hit on the pads.
Tim Southee to MS Dhoni. Again, the batsmen do not run. A short ball, MS looks to pull but is hurried into the shot. Just about eludes a leaping Ish Sodhi but Lockie Ferguson mops it up from backward square leg.
Tim Southee to MS Dhoni. A short ball, around middle, Dhoni pulls it down to long on. No single taken.
Lockie Ferguson to Yuzvendra Chahal. Beaten for pace there! Full and outside off, Chahal looks to drive but even before the bat comes down the ball whizzes through.
Yuzvendra Chahal walks in at number 10, replacing Bhuvi.
Lockie Ferguson to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. OUT! Edged and taken! Another excellent catch by Seifert. Full and outside off, Kumar tries to squeeze it out but it goes off the outside edge to the right of the keeper. It is traveling. Seifert dives, sticks his gloves out and the ball sticks in the webbing.
Lockie Ferguson to MS Dhoni. This is worked through mid-wicket and a run is taken.
Lockie Ferguson to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. On the off stump again, Kumar gets right behind the line of the delivery, pushes it to cover for a single.
Lockie Ferguson to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Good length on off, Kumar guides it to point.
Lockie Ferguson to MS Dhoni. On the stumps, Dhoni strokes it through covers for a single.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar walks in at number 9, replacing Krunal.
Tim Southee to Krunal Pandya. OUT! Once again the short ball does the trick for Southee. Too quick for Pandya. It is a well-directed one. Pandya looks to pull but is late on the shot. Hits the gloves, then the helmet and lobs towards the keeper who takes a nice catch diving across to his left.
Tim Southee to MS Dhoni. Uses his feet and works it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Tim Southee to MS Dhoni. FOUR! 50-run stand up! It won't make a difference to the game. Short and outside off, Dhoni hits it over point and it trickles over the fence.
Tim Southee to Krunal Pandya. On the back foot and it is punched through covers for a run.
Tim Southee to MS Dhoni. Another short ball and it is pulled through backward square leg for a run.
Tim Southee to MS Dhoni. FOUR! But a brilliant effort in the field there by Santner. The first one though was a poor one from Ferguson. Southee bowls it short seeing Dhoni step ahead. MS goes for the pull, hits it towards deep square leg. Ferguson there overruns and fails to make the stop. However, Santner who has run to his right from deep mid-wicket does really well to dive and stop it. He though is not sure and asks the umpires to take it upstairs. That is exactly what they do. Replays show that Santner touches the ropes with the other hand and it is signaled a boundary. A top effort but in vain.
Tim Southee is back.
Lockie Ferguson to Krunal Pandya. A length ball outside off, KP pushes but misses. Another top over.
Lockie Ferguson to Krunal Pandya. Seifert appeals for a catch while Ferguson appeals for LBW. Neither get either. Ferguson bowls a full ball outside off, Krunal looks to heave but misses. The ball hits his pads and goes through to the keeper. Impact was outside off.
Lockie Ferguson to Krunal Pandya. A short ball around middle, Pandya looks to pull but misses.
Lockie Ferguson to MS Dhoni. A short ball, pulled towards deep backward square leg for a run.
Lockie Ferguson to MS Dhoni. FOUR! Streaky. A length ball, fast and bowled at 143 kph, Dhoni is late in getting his bat down as he looks to defend. The ball takes the inside edge and scoots through past the leg stump to the fine leg fence.
Lockie Ferguson to MS Dhoni. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Lockie Ferguson returns. 2-0-14-1 so far.
Ish Sodhi to Krunal Pandya. SIX! Over the fence! Lot of muscle in that shot. Pandya comes down the track but the length is short. He goes on with the pull, not right off the middle but it is hit with power and it goes just over the mid-wicket fence. 16 from the over. Still below the runs needed per over.
Ish Sodhi to MS Dhoni. Pushes it through covers and gets to the other end.
Ish Sodhi to MS Dhoni. Another tossed up delivery but once again it is outside off, Dhoni leaves it.
Ish Sodhi to MS Dhoni. Flighted ball outside off, left alone. WIDE!
Ish Sodhi to Krunal Pandya. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Ish Sodhi to Krunal Pandya. FOUR! MISFIELD! Pandya brings the sweep out. Does not connect it well. It goes towards short fine leg who is done in by the turn on the ball. He lets it through and it races to the fence. 100 up for India.
Ish Sodhi to MS Dhoni. On the shorter side, Dhoni pulls it through mid-wicket and a run is taken.
Ish Sodhi to Krunal Pandya. Smashed but Sodhi does well to get a hand to it. He is also assisted by the umpire but credit to him for putting his hand in the line of fire. It can be called a drop but that was a very tough chance. Pandya comes down the track and just powers it back towards the bowler. Sodhi sticks his right hand out, it hits him and then deflects onto the legs of the umpire. It rolls towards long on and a run is taken. Saved three though, the duo of the umpire and Sodhi.
Mitchell Santner to MS Dhoni. SIX! That is gone. Full and around off, MS comes down the track and sends it sailing over long on!
Mitchell Santner to MS Dhoni. Cracking yorker. That too by a spinner. Dhoni is well down the track and can only jam it out.
Mitchell Santner to Krunal Pandya. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Mitchell Santner to MS Dhoni. Outside off, this time MSD comes down the track and drives it through the covers for a run.
Mitchell Santner to MS Dhoni. This was beautifully bowled. Because MS had taken a couple of steps. Seeing that, Santner slowed down the pace. Dhoni could not continue his shot and had to go back, to punch it towards cover.
Mitchell Santner to Krunal Pandya. Full and around middle, Krunal swings hard and gets it off the inner half through square leg for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Krunal Pandya. Another wrong 'un! KP waits for it and then guides it towards short third man for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Krunal Pandya. Lovely peice of fielding that! On the shorter side, Pandya cuts it away from the fielder at point. Southee in the deep, runs to his right and does really well to stop it. Saves two for his side.
Ish Sodhi to Krunal Pandya. Connects with the cut shot this time but does not find the gap at the point region.
Ish Sodhi to MS Dhoni. Another slider and outside off, Dhoni slaps it through covers for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Krunal Pandya. Slightly short and on middle, it is pulled along the ground, off the inner half and through mid-wicket for a run.
Ish Sodhi to Krunal Pandya. The googly and outside off, Pandya looks to cut but is done in by the extra bounce. Gets beaten.
Mitchell Santner to MS Dhoni. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Mitchell Santner to Krunal Pandya. The ball has taken the inside edge of the bat and goes down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Mitchell Santner to Krunal Pandya. Outside off, defended from the crease.
Mitchell Santner to MS Dhoni. Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a single.
Mitchell Santner to MS Dhoni. FOUR! There goes MS! Full and outside off, Dhoni comes down the track and hammers it down the ground. Long on has no chance.
Mitchell Santner to MS Dhoni. Short and in line of the stumps, punched straight to cover.
Brother replaces brother. Krunal Pandya walks in. Bowling change as well - Mitchell Santner comes back on.
Ish Sodhi to Hardik Pandya. OUT! FOUR AND GONE! That is all from Pandya for tonight. Another double-wicket over this for the Kiwis. This is tossed up even wider than the last one. Pandya still goes after it, hits it nicely but does not get the elevation he wants. Mitchell at sweeper cover moves swiftly to his right and takes a good catch.
Ish Sodhi to Hardik Pandya. The batsman goes for the sweep but fails to connect it.
Ish Sodhi to Hardik Pandya. FOUR! Over covers! Pandya has to go from the start and that is what he is doing. Uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the ball and then lofts it with the turn over covers and into the boundary.
Ish Sodhi to Hardik Pandya. WIDE! Outside off, left alone. Wided.
Ish Sodhi to Hardik Pandya. Tosses it up on off, blocked.
Hardik Pandya is in now.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. OUT! Another one bites the dust courtesy a top catch by Southee. Karthik will feel a little hard done here. This is tossed up on off, Karthik goes for the conventional sweep this time. Hits is right off the middle, it goes flat and hard towards Southee at deep mid-wicket. He moves to his right and takes a very good diving catch. Sodhi strikes on his very second ball.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. Just can't connect with the reverse sweep can the Indians. Tossed up outside off, Karthik goes for the reverse sweep but misses.
Ish Sodhi is on now.
Daryl Mitchell to Dinesh Karthik. Yorker, on middle, pushed through mid on for a run more.
Daryl Mitchell to Dinesh Karthik. Full and straight, DK drills it straight back. The ball hits the stumps at the other end and then deflects towards square leg. By the time the fielder can come in from the deep, two runs are taken.
Daryl Mitchell to MS Dhoni. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.
Daryl Mitchell to Dinesh Karthik. Outside off, Dinesh looks to push but the ball comes slowly off the surface and takes the inner half of the bat towards mid on. A single taken.
Daryl Mitchell to MS Dhoni. Slower ball, around middle, MS misses his flick and the ball goes off the inside edge, onto his pads, through square leg. A run taken.
Daryl Mitchell to Dinesh Karthik. Full and around off, Karthik works it through mid-wicket for a single.
Mitchell Santner to MS Dhoni. Flatter and outside off, Dhoni cuts it but finds point. Another excellent over comes to an end. Just a run and two wickets from the over.
Mitchell Santner to MS Dhoni. Flighted ball on off, Dhoni pushes it to covers.
Three wicket-keepers back-to-back. First Pant. Then MS. Dinesh Karthik walks in next.
Mitchell Santner to Vijay Shankar. OUT! In the air... taken! The pressure has got to Shankar and he departs. He needed to go but perishes in the attempt of doing so. Once again you see Santner varying his pace to great effect. This was bowled at 76 kph. It is slower and slightly fuller. Shankar looks to go downtown but the ball turns a little. The timing is not right and it goes high up in the air towards long off. Colin de Grandhomme runs in and takes a neat catch. Second in the over for Santner.
Mitchell Santner to MS Dhoni. Uses his feet and then works it through square leg for a single.
In walks Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Mitchell Santner to Rishabh Pant. OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Pant's struggle comes to an end. Lovely change of pace once again by Santner. The last one was slow but this one was bowled at 94 kph. It is right in the blockhole. Pant is a little late in bringing his bat down due to the high back-lift. By the time the bat comes down, the ball sneaks through and disturbs the stumps behind. India in big trouble here. They probably need a miracle from here.
Mitchell Santner to Rishabh Pant. Not sure what Pant is trying to do here? He is just trying too much. Goes for the reverse sweep again but misses it. The keeper fails to collect it but not sure if there was an edge.
Daryl Mitchell to Rishabh Pant. Goes for the seam up delivery and it is full and on middle, Pant whips it through mid-wicket for a run. Just three from Mitchell's first. The rate needed now is 13. 156 needed in 72.
Daryl Mitchell to Rishabh Pant. Another slower one and Pant is completely foxed. He swings hard but gets beaten.
Daryl Mitchell to Vijay Shankar. A full toss but Shankar does not take full toll of it. Mistimes it badly towards long on for a single.
Daryl Mitchell to Rishabh Pant. Just a single now! The slower ball, Pant goes at it with hard hands, it is mistimed to cover for a single.
Daryl Mitchell to Rishabh Pant. Audacious! Brings out the reverse sweep but misses it. Two dots to begin with. Good start by Mitchell.
Daryl Mitchell to Rishabh Pant. Full and wide outside off, Pant goes after it but misses. It may have come quicker that Pant may have expected.
Daryl Mitchell to bowl his maiden over in T20Is.
Mitchell Santner to Rishabh Pant. A quick run to end the over! Flatter and outside off, Pant looks to cut but gets an outside edge to a very fine short third man. Shakar wants a run and Pant obliges, they complete it.
Mitchell Santner to Vijay Shankar. A single now! Slower through the air on off, Shankar is a touch early into the shot. It goes off the inner half towards long on for a single.
Mitchell Santner to Vijay Shankar. Full and on off, Shankar once again finds the fielder at cover. So just the maximum from the over so far. Pressure building on the Indians.
Mitchell Santner to Vijay Shankar. SAFE! Good work by the keeper but Vijay was quick there. Tossed up ball outside off, Shankar fails to collect with his sweep shot and Seifert takes the bails off. He appeals and the umpire takes it upstairs. The replays show that Shankar's back leg was on the line when he attempted the shot but then he had dragged it in before the bails came off.
Appeal for a stumping. It's referred upstairs by the square leg umpire. Is Shankar's back leg on the line.
Mitchell Santner to Vijay Shankar. SIX! This is huge! What a shot! Slower through the air on middle, Shankar goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it above the mid-wicket fence. A lot of risk was involved there as it was played against the turn. Vijay though has nailed it.
Mitchell Santner to Vijay Shankar. Top fielding! This is tossed up on off, Shankar makes room and drives it towards cover. Williamson there dives to his left and takes it. Saves a couple atleast.
Spin for the first time in this innings. Mitchell Santner has the ball in his hand.
Lockie Ferguson to Vijay Shankar. On the fuller side, it is pushed wide of cover for a single. End of the Powerplay and it is New Zealand who are on top after it. India are 53 for 2 after the first 6.
Lockie Ferguson to Rishabh Pant. On the middle pole, it is flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Lockie Ferguson to Rishabh Pant. Just behind a driving length on off, Pant strokes it to mid off.
Rishabh Pant walks in next.
Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan. OUT! TIMBER! A corker of a yorker at 151 kph. Ferguson is pumped and not a lot Dhawan could have done with that delivery. Lockie comes steaming in and bowls it right in the blockhole. Dhawan is beaten for pace, misses his flick, it hits his pads and then onto the stumps behind. A much-needed wicket as this partnership was looking dangerous. A good comeback from the bowler after being hit for a boundary. Both the openers back in the hut and now the inexperienced middle order will be tested, just what New Zealand wanted. 169 more needed in 87.
Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Up and over! Offers the width Shikhar loves and it is also full. Dhawan just gets bat to it, opens the face and hits it over point. 50 up for India and it has also come in quick time.
Lockie Ferguson to Vijay Shankar. This one skids through after pitching. Shankar looks to drive but is a touch late into the shot. Hits it towards mid on for a single.
Scott Kuggeleijn to Vijay Shankar. A single to end! 18 from the over, just what India needed. Short and it is on the body, Shankar looks to flick it stylishly but it hits the glove and rolls towards the leg side for a single.
Scott Kuggeleijn to Vijay Shankar. SIX! Shankar is surely making it count! 17 from it now and this is the best shot of the over. Full and on off, once again the straight bat is out. It is lofted over mid off and it carries all the way. Such a delight to watch all the shots he has played in this over.
Scott Kuggeleijn to Vijay Shankar. FOUR! Vijay Shankar has really found his timing here. Also, he is playing with a straight bat so not a lot of risk involved. Slower ball and on middle, Shankar picks it and with a straight bat hits it over mid-wicket and into the fence. 11 from the over, need to make this one count, 2 balls to go.
Scott Kuggeleijn to Vijay Shankar. 7 from the first three balls! This was mistimed. Short and outside off, Vijay flat bats it over the mid on fielder and two taken.
Scott Kuggeleijn to Vijay Shankar. FOUR! Lovely shot! He also holds the pose for the camera! Slightly fuller in length, Shankar with a straight bat lofts it over the bowler's head and into the fence. India need a big over here, they have started off well.
Scott Kuggeleijn to Shikhar Dhawan. Flicked but there is protection in the deep. Just a single to fine leg.
Scott Kuggeleijn is back on. Change of ends for him.
Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan. A leg bye to end the over! A pacey delivery on the pads. Dhawan looks to flick but is done in for pace. It hits his pads and rolls towards cover for a single. So despite a maximum, just 9 from the over.
Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan. Good delivery! Corrects his line and bowls it outside off, Dhawan tries to guide it but fails to do so.
Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan. SIX! He has picked the bones out of that one! That made a resounding noise coming off the willow. Short and it is the slower one, Dhawan rocks back and dispatches it into the mid-wicket stand. Much-needed but they need to keep going.
Lockie Ferguson to Vijay Shankar. Howzzat? But not given! Looked very, very close. The slower ball yorker on the leg stump. Shankar is foxed by that one. He misses his flick and gets hit on the pad. An appeal follows but the umpire shakes his head. The ball rolls towards square leg and the batsmen run a leg bye. Slipping down leg I feel.
Lockie Ferguson to Vijay Shankar. Length and it is angled into the batsman. Shankar whips it but finds mid-wicket.
Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan. A low full toss first up, Dhawan works it through square leg and a run is taken. Not a lot you could have done with that delivery.
Lockie Ferguson to steam in now.
Tim Southee to Vijay Shankar. On the fuller side and Shankar drives it to mid off. End of another top over by Southee. A run and a big wicket from it. India need another 201 in 17 overs.
Tim Southee to Vijay Shankar. Hits the length hard on off, some outward movement on that. Shankar guides it to point.
Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan. In the air... but on the bounce! Another short delivery and on the body, Dhawan swivels and pulls but it is not off the middle and the fielder at fine leg collects it on the bounce. A single.
Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan. Slower ball now on middle, it is worked towards mid-wicket.
Vijay Shankar is the number 3 batsman. A bit strange given that they are after a big score here. Shankar's SR is 126 in T20s while Pant strikes in the 160s. Let's see if it backfires or proves to be a masterstroke.
Tim Southee to Rohit Sharma. OUT! There goes the Indian skipper! Huge, huge wicket for the Black Caps as we all know how dangerous he can prove to be. An excellent catch to dismiss him as well. The short ball does the trick for Southee. It is on the body, Sharma is a little cramped for room. Still goes for the pull, it hits the top half of his bat and skies towards deep square leg. Ferguson at first seems to have misjudged it but then runs in and takes a good catch diving forward. So Southee's good work with the ball continues. A good comeback for him till now.
Tim Southee to Rohit Sharma. Good delivery! Length ball and it moves away a touch after pitching. Rohit is a little squared up as he tries to keep it out but does so.
Scott Kuggeleijn to Shikhar Dhawan. Serves a slower full ball on middle and leg, angling down, Dhawan is foxed this time by the lack of pace, tries working it across the line but misses. He is hit on the pads, Scott appeals but nothing from the umpire. 17 from the over!
Fine leg goes back. No protection in the deep on the off side. Kuggeleijn switches to 'round the wicket now...
Scott Kuggeleijn to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Scott ain't learning. Bowls it short and around leg again, Dhawan just turns and lifts it over short fine leg for a boundary. Kuggeleijn under pressure. Tim Southee is having a word with him.
Scott Kuggeleijn to Shikhar Dhawan. SIX! This one has gone squarer. A length ball on middle and leg, Dhawan clears his front leg and swings it over backward square leg. This time it's far away from Lockie and goes all the way.
Scott Kuggeleijn to Shikhar Dhawan. SIX! Just over! Dhawan is off the mark in style, however, he would have had his heart in his mouth for a moment. It is on the pads, Shikhar flicks it towards deep square leg. Ferguson there settles himself just before the ropes, leaps but the ball goes just above him. Should get India going, this boundary.
Scott Kuggeleijn to Rohit Sharma. A little short and on middle, Sharma swivels on the back foot to glance it off his hips but fails to middle his shot properly. It goes off the thigh pad to square leg and they steal a leg bye.
Scott Kuggeleijn to Rohit Sharma. Beaten! Scott lands it on a length outside off, Rohit tries to play it straight, probably over the bowler's head but fails to make any connection.
Scott Kuggeleijn to bowl from the other end.
Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan. A huge appeal but not given! Another full delivery on the leg stump, tails back in late. Dhawan goes for the flick but seemed to have missed it. The keeper takes it and appeals but nothing from the umpire. There sure was a noise but not sure what it was off. Nevertheless, a brilliant first over by Southee comes to an end, just a single from it.
Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan. Another fuller delivery outside off, Dhawan once again hits it well but finds mid off. An excellent start by Southee here.
Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan. Another full delivery and once again the swing is visible. Dhawan looks to step out and hit it but gets an inside edge towards the keeper.
Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan. Good swing there! Southee bowls it full and hence it tails back in. Dhawan looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto his pads. He wants a run but is sent back.
Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan. Crisply driven! On a length and around off, Dhawan strokes it on the up but can't get it past the cover fielder.
Tim Southee to Rohit Sharma. India are off the mark straightaway! Slightly straighter in line and it is worked around the corner by Rohit Sharma for a single.
We're back! Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are the Indian openers. Tim Southee to bowl first up with a slip in place. Here we go...