The opening game of the tournament & what a match it was, with New Zealand humbling favourites India by 47 runs.
Winning the toss & deciding to bat, Ken Williamson, on hindsight would be mighty pleased with his decision. He had fielded three spinners, resting his more experienced pace attack of Boult & Southee, a decision which he will look back with glee, years later.
The match started with all the possible fireworks, with Martin Guptill heaving the first ball of the match from Ashwin into the stands for a grand six. However, the very next ball he was adjusted LBW, though replays showed that he may have been unlucky. Munro, the next man in, reverse hit the next ball for a six, but perished to Nehra in the next over, as the Kiwis tottered to 13 for 2. The disciplined Indian attack continued to torment the Kiwi batting line up, as wickets tumbled. Part time spinner Raina looked deceptive & sharp, though Ashwin & Jadeja went for some stick. A steady 34 by Corey Anderson & lusty hitting by Ronchi at the end ( 21 not out) helped the team reach 126 for 7 in 20 overs. It certainly looked a below par score, & at the break, the discussions were about how quickly the Indian batting would lap up the match.
However, there was a twist in store, as the Kiwi spinners wreaked havoc. Santner (4-11), Sodhi (3-18), & McCullum(2-15), simply devoured the famed Indian batting line up, as the home team folded up for a meagre 79...one of its worst performance with the bat in a T20 game. The stadium which was feisty & noisy in the 1st half, caved into a deathly silence, as one after another the Indian batsmen went back defeated. But for Kohli (23), Dhoni(30) & Ashwin(10), non other could reach the double figure. New Zealand managed to maintain their 100% record of wins against India in T20 encounters. It was harakiri of sorts, as India lost a winning game....something that might hurt them big time ahead in the tournament, when the crunch time comes & the run rate matters.
This group, has been touted as the Group of Death, & looks to throw a few more surprises as we progress. Interesting indeed.....
Winning the toss & deciding to bat, Ken Williamson, on hindsight would be mighty pleased with his decision. He had fielded three spinners, resting his more experienced pace attack of Boult & Southee, a decision which he will look back with glee, years later.
The match started with all the possible fireworks, with Martin Guptill heaving the first ball of the match from Ashwin into the stands for a grand six. However, the very next ball he was adjusted LBW, though replays showed that he may have been unlucky. Munro, the next man in, reverse hit the next ball for a six, but perished to Nehra in the next over, as the Kiwis tottered to 13 for 2. The disciplined Indian attack continued to torment the Kiwi batting line up, as wickets tumbled. Part time spinner Raina looked deceptive & sharp, though Ashwin & Jadeja went for some stick. A steady 34 by Corey Anderson & lusty hitting by Ronchi at the end ( 21 not out) helped the team reach 126 for 7 in 20 overs. It certainly looked a below par score, & at the break, the discussions were about how quickly the Indian batting would lap up the match.
However, there was a twist in store, as the Kiwi spinners wreaked havoc. Santner (4-11), Sodhi (3-18), & McCullum(2-15), simply devoured the famed Indian batting line up, as the home team folded up for a meagre 79...one of its worst performance with the bat in a T20 game. The stadium which was feisty & noisy in the 1st half, caved into a deathly silence, as one after another the Indian batsmen went back defeated. But for Kohli (23), Dhoni(30) & Ashwin(10), non other could reach the double figure. New Zealand managed to maintain their 100% record of wins against India in T20 encounters. It was harakiri of sorts, as India lost a winning game....something that might hurt them big time ahead in the tournament, when the crunch time comes & the run rate matters.
This group, has been touted as the Group of Death, & looks to throw a few more surprises as we progress. Interesting indeed.....
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