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In the second match of the series, skipper Hardik Pandya and the ‘Man Of The Match’ Suryakumar Yadav lead the side ahead in yet another less-scoring match at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Sunday. This victory brought India’s 3-match series to a 1-1
New Zealand spinners had put Indian batsmen on the weak side back in Ranchi, while Indian spinners seized control on Sunday, ensuring the hosts to win by six wickets leaving the last ball unplayed. Dominant Indian bowlers had bowled 30 overs last night, making New Zealand to complete only 17 overs.
India was satisfied by handing the maximum overs to the four spinner- Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, part-timer Deepak Hooda, and Kuldeep. They each took a wicket and kept a low run-rate making things difficult for the guest team. After NZ chose to bat, pacer Arshdeep Singh in his very first over got two wickets in his name limiting the other side to 99/8. This was New Zealand’s lowest score against India.
In response, Indian openers battled against the Kiwi spinners’ quick turn. Too much pressure was put on the batters and the Indian hitters were compelled to take only single shots. In the end, India required 13 runs in 2 overs.
Hardik struck a four off Lockie Ferguson on the fifth delivery of the 19th over to relieve the strain, and sprinter Suryakumar Yadav’s hit slap over mid-off on Blair Ticker’s closing ball to claim the victory. Yadav and Pandya remain unbeaten.
Opening batsman Ishan Kishan struggled to a 32-ball 19 as was caught by . Washington Sundar (10), Shubman Gill (11) and Rahul Tripathi (13) also failed to kick a start. At the midway point, India was 49/2. Suryakumar thus was forced to reign in his natural aggressive inclinations by playing anchor.
The Indian bowlers adhered to the fundamentals, maintaining excellent length and avoiding loose deliveries. The New Zealand hitters showed little intent, instead kicking the ball down the road. When the Kiwis finally decided to break free, they only had one option of reverse sweep. The first three wickets were taken by Finn Allen (11), Devon Conway (11), and Glenn Phillips (5). Daryl Mitchell, who shot an undefeated 59 in the first round, was beaten by a Kuldeep Yadav. Mitchell’s frail defence was broken, and the off-stump was pinned.
Runs were difficult to be taken because the spinners were on target, leaving no room for the New Zealand batsmen to free their arms and hit a shot. Even the sweep shot failed, as the Kiwis struggled to find spaces. The 20-run partnership between skipper Mitchell Santner (19) and Bracewell (14) was the highest..
“All of us were on our toes,” -Washington Sundar said after the match.
Only in the 18th over did Hardik send in fast bowler Arshdeep, and he contributed by using bouncers and scoring two wickets, removing Ish Sodhi (1) and Lockie Ferguson (0). India knocked down a 100-run mark off the last delivery of the innings.