Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Ramadan 17, 1445 H
broken clouds
weather
OMAN
23°C / 23°C
EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

New Zealand knock out insipid India

No Image
minus
plus

New Zealand outplayed an insipid Indian team by eight wickets to virtually knock them out of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 and keep their own hopes of qualifying for the semifinals intact in their Group II match, in Dubai on Sunday.


India were done in by a horrid batting display from their superstars as they could muster only 110/7 in 20 overs.


The Kiwis chased down the target without a flutter as they cruised home in the 15th over with eight wickets intact and ensuring they won with a healthy run rate.


India are almost out of the competition with this defeat and can only qualify with various permutations and combinations in the group.


NZ BATTING SOLID


New Zealand began well and reached 24 in 3.4 overs when they lost Martin Guptill to Jasprit Bumrah. However, with such a low total, it was always going to be an uphill task for India to stop the Kiwis.


Daryl Mitchell got a move on in the sixth over when he smashed Ravindra Jadeja for six and two boundaries. He consolidated his innings further at a 150-plus strike rate.


New Zealand was cruising at 94/1 after 12 overs and on track for a crushing win.


Mitchell was finally out to Bumrah caught at long-on by KL Rahul for 49 but by then New Zealand had the match well within their grasp.


INDIA IN HORROR SHOW


India had got off to a disastrous start losing the wicket of Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma before the end of the eighth over.


Ishan fell to Trent Boult after attempting to score a six over square leg while Rahul was caught at deep square leg off Tim Southee's bowling.


After Rohit had a life when he was dropped early, it felt he was going to play big innings but he holed out to Martin Guptill at long on off Ish Sodhi's bowling.


Kohli didn't last long either as he fell on the first ball after the drinks break to Sodhi after a catch went to long on to Boult.


India was staring at a total disintegration at that stage.


Things went further downhill when Rishabh Pant was castled by Adam Milne in the 15th over as India lost half their side for just 70 runs.


Thereafter, India struggled to keep themselves afloat and was able to cross 100 primarily because of a few lusty hits by Ravindra Jadeja towards the end of the innings.


110/7 is what they managed after 20 overs and New Zealand definitely fancied their chances at that stage.


SHARE ARTICLE
arrow up
home icon