By Salman Anjum – 29 Jan, 2023
Team India registered a nervy six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20I in Lucknow on Sunday (January 29).
Opting to bat first, the visitors posted a paltry 99/8 in their allotted 20 overs. It was a tricky pitch to bat on where the Kiwi batters couldn’t get going. Skipper Mitchell Santner was the top scorer with 19.
Except for Shivam Mavi, all the Indian bowlers managed to claim at least a wicket. While Arshdeep Singh returned with two scalps, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yada, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar and Hardik Pandya took one wicket each.
Chasing the target, the Men in Blue were expected to get over the line without breaking a sweat but the Indian batters also found it tough against the New Zealand spinners.
The likes of Shubman Gill (11) and Rahul Tripathi (13) got out to Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi respectively while Ishan Kishan (19) and Washington Sundar (10) got run out.
When the hosts were struggling at 70/4, skipper Hardik Pandya joined Suryakumar Yadav at the crease and the duo stitched an unbeaten 31-run stand to take India over the line with one ball to spare. While Suryakumar hit the winning shot and remained unbeaten on 26 off 31 balls, Pandya finished with 20-ball 15.
Cricket experts took to Twitter and shared their views on the game after India levelled the three-match T20I series with a tense win.
Here are the reactions:
Team India held their nerves better #INDvNZ
Low scoring but tense match. New Zealand deserve credit for taking match so deep defending a measly 99. Their batting failed badly. Not that India had it easy, making heavy weather of getting small target. Greater experience of playing on turners helped. Not gr8 pitch for T20!
Great day for Indian cricket today. After our girls beat England to clinch the title, #TeamIndia defeated New Zealand in a low scoring match in Lucknow. Congratulations boys for the fabulous game. @BCCI
This pitch not the best suited for T20 cricket. Batting shouldn't be hard work in T20s. Sunday night sell out crowd deserved better. #INDvNZ
No sixes but nonetheless a thrilling match. New Zealand fought valiantly to defend 100 with 17 overs of spin but in the end @surya_14kumar and @hardikpandya7 fought it out and a good win for team India. With the series level 1-1 , should be a cracker of a decider at Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/oTeH05noye
The ODI series needed the pitches that are dished out for the T20i series. ODI format demands slightly bowler friendly pitches to even out the contest. T20s demand pitches to be a ‘bit’ skewed for batters. Thoughts? #IndvNZ #AakashVani
Amazing how often small chases throw up thrillers. But I didn't think it would get that close. Playing safe is often an illusion.
Not an ideal t20 pitch. Well done nonetheless ???????? Now series decider in the last game.
By Salman Anjum – 29 Jan, 2023
WATCH: Indian players celebrate their ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup title win by dancing on ‘Kala Chashma’
WATCH: Shafali Verma breaks down in tears after leading India to inaugural ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup title
India Women’s U19 T20 World Cup winning team to get INR 5 crs; Jay Shah invites them to Narendra Modi Stadium
