After a disappointing 4-1 ODI series defeat, the Kiwis wanted to prove themselves in the T20I series. As a result they made some changes to their squad. They handed the debut cap to hard-hitter and in-form batsman Daryl Mitchell.
The all-rounder was in red-hot form in the Super Smash recently. There was speculation about Mitchell making a debut against India and indeed it happened. But his debut innings was cut short by a superlative effort from India’s Dinesh Karthik.
Mitchell came to bat in the 13th over after his teammate Tim Seifert fell after a brilliant knock. He started off instantly with a boundary. New Zealand was well set by then which gave some breathing space for the debutant.
As a result in the 15th over, Mitchell tried to hit Hardik Pandya over long-on. But Dinesh Karthik was fielding there and the ball went straight to him. DK initially took the catch but momentum took him over the line.
However he released the ball in time before stepping over the ropes. He then charged back to grab the ball. On the way back he put his foot on the advertising hoardings, which are used for marking the boundary rope. There also he lifted his foot in time and then he completed the catch. TV replays showed the catch was clean and the umpire gave Mitchell out for just eight runs.
Here is the video of that excellent catch:
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Kiwis hand India biggest defeat in T20Is
Meanwhile in the match, India miscalculated New Zealand’s huge 220-runs target and ended up pretty badly during the chase. India won the toss and decided to field first.
Kiwi openers Tim Seifert and Colin Munro hit the straps immediately and added 86 runs for the first wicket. Seifert was the most destructive as he scored 84 off 43 balls. Munro ended his innings with 34 runs.
With help from lower-middle order, the Kiwis ended with 219/6. India started with five dot balls in the first over as they never looked comfortable in front of Tim Southee’s swing.
Shikhar Dhawan smashed some beautiful sixes but wickets kept falling at the other end. The ever-increasing run-rate also got to the batsmen. At the 11-over mark, India were totally out of the game with 77/6.
A half-century partnership between MS Dhoni and Krunal Pandya took them to a respectable total. Dhoni high scored for his team with 39 as the Kiwis thumped the Men in Blue by 80 runs.
This is India’s biggest defeat in terms of runs in T20Is. New Zealand take 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. India will have to win the second game if they are to remain alive in the series.