‘Test match ka pitch T20 meh kyuuu?’ – Fans left speechless as India clinch last-over win chasing 100 vs NZ in 2nd T20I
India competed against New Zealand in the second T20I of the three-match series played on January 29, Sunday and as one could predict, the Hardik Pandya-led team levelled the series after chasing down the target of 100 with 6 wickets to spare, making it one of the thrilling encounters ever played in the history of the format.
As far as the first innings is concerned, it was the Kiwis who won the toss and elected to bat first, in vain as they got off to a poor start. The Indian bowlers, on the other hand, enjoyed a great run as each of them picked up 1 wicket apiece barring Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Mavi as the former picked up a two-for while Mavi went down wicketless.
Chasing a target of 100, the Indian team, to the surprise of the spectators gathered, struggled to make a move on and started scoring at a very low pace. With Ishan Kishan perishing for a 32-ball 19, the Indian think tank were left in the ocean, with fans doubting the decision to include the southpaw ahead of Prithvi Shaw. Despite all the odds, with the help of Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 26, India chased down the target with 1 ball to spare.
I always believed that we’ll be able to finish the game: Hardik Pandya
Post the conclusion of the game, the Men in Blue skipper Pandya claimed that he believed that the team might win the game, although it was neck-to-neck. Further, the allrounder said that the team tried to follow the basics and make a comeback in the game, lauding both batters and bowlers who stood up for the team on the day.
“I always believed that we’ll be able to finish the game, but it went quite late. All these games are important with the moments. You don’t need to panic because it was about rotating the strike rather than taking the pressure. That’s exactly what we did. We followed our basics. To be honest, it was a shocker of a wicket. Both the games we have played on so far. I don’t mind difficult wickets. I am all up for that, but these two wickets are not made for T20,” Pandya was quoted as saying during the post-match presentation.
Here’s how fans have reacted to the second IND vs NZ T20I played on Sunday:
Congratulations Team India for great victory in T20 against New Zealand #INDVsNZT20 @cmbjpup @MpDrBholaSingh @DrAntulTeotia @MLA_Meenakshi @myogiadityanath @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/TrS7x8km8f
— Antriksh Rajora (@ANTRIKSHRAJORA4) January 30, 2023
Don't worry…
SKY was preparing for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy yesterday. #INDVsNZT20 #Cricket
— #⃣Satyam Kashiva (@satyam_kashiva) January 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/stelonshaun18/status/1619921933260443650?s=20&t=sDcO6r1-AlQlkJ7qmbjKIQ
I would like to see @PrithviShaw in the 11 in the final t20. In that case @ishankishan51 would have to miss out…. Which means we need a keeper in there. #INDVsNZT20
— Dr.Sriram.R DNB(RT) DrNB (MEDICAL ONCOLOGY)TRAINEE (@leftyindian) January 30, 2023
It was bad captaincy from Hardik Pandya to complete his 4 over quota when specialist seamers Mavi & Arshdeep got to bowl just 1 & 2 overs. #INDVsNZT20
— bgspeaks_ (@bgspeaks_) January 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/krs1646/status/1619916940704886784?s=20&t=sDcO6r1-AlQlkJ7qmbjKIQ
#INDVsNZT20 239 balls played by both teams, sixes = 0 😱
— Venkat Sainath (@pvsn2002) January 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/GauravApurw/status/1619914409803141127?s=20&t=sDcO6r1-AlQlkJ7qmbjKIQ
Safe to predict that Virat will play the T20 World Cup in 2024!
The current intent is nowhere! #INDVsNZT20
— Sourav Sinha (@sourav_sinha) January 30, 2023
