Team India beat New Zealand easily by 53 runs as Indian batters and bowlers kept Kiwis at bay at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in Delhi
India beat New Zealand easily by 53 runs as spinners Chahal and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each to keep the Kiwis at bay in the T20 match in Delhi.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah kept a steady line and length to keep the New Zealand bowlers on a tight leash after India set a 203-run target for the Kiwis.
(Photograph:AFP)
A record opening partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma powered India to 202-3 against New Zealand in the opening Twenty20 international in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Invited to bat, Dhawan, who hit a career-best 80, and Sharma, who also made 80, put together 158 runs to give the hosts a resounding start in the three-match series.
(Photograph:AFP)
The pair put up India's best partnership for any wicket in T20s, surpassing the 136-run opening show between Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir against England in the 2007 World Cup.
Indian batsmen also benefited from a sloppy effort by New Zealand fielders with Dhawan, on eight, and Sharma, on 16, surviving dropped chances.
(Photograph:AFP)
Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi got Dhawan caught behind in the 17th over but the swashbuckling opener had done enough damage with 10 fours and 2 sixes in his 52-ball knock.
Sodhi also got Hardik Pandya for nought two balls later but the unstoppable Sharma, who hit 6 fours and 4 sixes, continued to entertain a raucous home crowd.
(Photograph:AFP)
Sharma fell to fast bowler Trent Boult in the penultimate over but skipper Virat Kohli, who was also dropped on eight, finished unbeaten on 26 off 11 deliveries.
India are looking to give a perfect farewell to retiring paceman Ashish Nehra, who has decided to bring down the curtains on his 18-year-old career.
(Photograph:AFP)