New Zealand thrashed India by 47 runs in the opening game of the ICC T20 World Cup super 10.
As a sensational performance from the Kiwi spinners left Indian batsmen clueless on a low, cracky, sharp-turning Nagpur wicket, the host’s fight ended in 18.1 overs, for just 79, chasing a modest target of 127.
With this win, New Zealand kept their 100% success rate over India in T20 internationals, claiming all five matches played. India’s dream run of seven consecutive wins came to a shocking halt, leaving them in a dire position in the tournament.
As expected, the crowd was massive in Nagpur, but the collapse of the Indian batting line up was beyond anyone’s expectations.
The first surprise of the day came just after the toss when Williamson announced that he was dropping experienced fast bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult from the playing squad, to accommodate three spinners.
But this decision was justified by veteran off spinner Nathan McCullum in the very first over of India’s chase. He trapped Shikhar Dhawan in front of the wicket for just one run.
Then it was the turn of two young spinners, who had played just five matches each prior to this game, to run through the Indian line up which was known to be the best against spin, especially in home conditions.
In the third over of the innings, left arm spinner Mitchell Santner rocked India by sending both Rohit Sharma (5 from 7 balls) and Suresh Raina ( 1 from 2) back to pavilion.
While an over confident Sharma was stumped by wicket keeper Luke Ronchi when he stepped out against a turning delivery, Suresh Raina chipped an easy catch to short mid wicket.
Yuvaraj Singh followed the suite soon, giving a return catch to McCullum. At 4/26, the hopes were still high for the Indian fans, as skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni joined in-form Virat Kohli in the middle.
At a time when they looked to take control of the affairs, Virat Kohli (23 from 27 balls) tried for a big cover drive off the very first ball of leg spinner IS Sodhi, only to be caught behind.
That was almost it! Though one of the best finishers in world cricket M S Dhoni was still there, the lower middle and lower order of Indian batting was not equipped to survive the sharp turning balls.
Ludhiana born IS Sodhi claimed Ravindra Jadeja (0 from 3 balls) and R Aswhin (10 from 20 balls), taking his tally to 3/18 in four overs.
Dhoni’s fight was to end soon with an outstanding catch by Nathan McCullum off Stantner’s. Dhoni was the top scorer for the hosts scoring 30 runs from equal number of balls.
Then it was just a matter three balls before pacer Adam Milne routed the defence of Ashish Nehra, ending things in a style.
Mitchell Stantner was undoubtedly man of the moment, with the figures of 4/11 in four overs, along with scoring useful 18 with bat.
It was India’s lowest score ever in T20 cricket. Indan skipper M S Dhoni conceded that it was the poor performance of the batsmen to blame.
Earlier, after winning the toss New Zealand captain Kane Williamson had decided to go for batting. The intentions were clear from the very first ball when Martin Guptill smashed Ashwin to the sight screen.
Though Ashwin retaliated immediately by trapping Guptill for a leg before wicket, Colin Munro went for another cracker over point, scoring 13 in the first over.
But, then the Indian bowlers took over, with Ashish Nehra’s first over going for a wicket-maiden. Corey Anderson managed to get 34 from 42 balls, with sluggish singles and doubles.
It was Ronchi’s unbeaten 21 off 11 balls in the final overs that gave a decent total of 126/7 for the bowlers to defend.
With this unexpected defeat, cup favourites India will be under tremendous pressure when they face arch-rivals Pakistan, super-strong Australia and ever surprising Bangladesh.
Heat will be on Tonight
It is going to be another big night. There are two matches scheduled for tonight in which Pakistan takes on Bangladesh in group 2 and West Indies faces England in group 1.
PAK vs BAN (3pm local time, 8.30pm AEDT)
Pakistan will have to face a morally boosted Bangladesh after going down to them in Asia Cup just a few days ago.
When Bangladesh walks into Kokata’s Eden Gardens for the first time since 1990 looking to repeat the performance, Pakistan has a bigger task of proving themselves as a team and silencing their critics back home.
Pak team will be highly dependent on the all-round skills of skipper Shahid Afridi, and they need some solid batting display from Sarfraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik or Umar Akmal. Their bowling attack led by Mohammed Amir, Wahab Riaz and Mohammed Irfan is fast enough to rip through any batting line up.
On the other hand, Bangladesh looks more confident on Indian soil, especially after Tamim Iqbal’s century against Oman in the group stage. While Mustafizur Rahman’s fitness is still a concern, Bangladesh will rely om the bowling performance of Al Amin Hossain who is at No. 6 in world rankings.
ENG vs WI (7.30pm local time, 1.00am AEDT)
In the other match, England and West Indies come face to face at Mumbai’s Wankhade stadium.
West Indies comes to the game with more experience, especially on Indian conditions , thanks to IPL. Eight members of their squad are above 30, and players like Chris Gayle have proved how dangerous they could be on Indian wickets, as described by captain Darren Sammy in the pre-match press conference.
On the other hand, England will depend on the freshness of attack. Eoin Morgan is the only man in the squad with IPL experience. The big hitting batsmen will be the key to England’s chance of success tonight.
