Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan’s 150 plus run partnership helped India clinch their first T20 win against New Zealand
From the beginning , it was India that dominated the flow of the game. After New Zealand captain Williamson asked India to bat first, Dhawan and Rohit Sharma dug in and got India past the 150-run mark without the loss of a wicket. Dhawan fell when he was on 80 and Rohit a while later. Kohli and Dhoni batted well in the final couple of overs to get India past the 200-run mark. Kiwi players dropped a couple of catches which boosted India’s run scoring eventually.
Kiwi’s were shattered from their early fall of wickets. The required run rate kept climbing and was soon out of reach, after which the batsmen simply enjoyed the game and hit everything they could.
Indian cricket team’s bowlers didn’t fail with the ball as they restricted New Zealand to 149/8 and won by 53 runs to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. This was India’s first-ever win over New Zealand in Twenty20 Internationals from six matches they played against each other.
Yesterday’s match was also a farewell for the Indian left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra from all International formats. Nehra bowled his four overs, but didn’t find a wicket to remember. He was unlucky that three catches were dropped in his over eventhough two of them were hard to be caught. The first T20 win over New Zealand lightened up his farewell.
Nehra started his career in Ranji trophy against Haryana in 1997-98 season at Feroz Shah Kotla and he ends up his career where he started. His family and friends were present in the stadium to witness his farewell. His best friend Virendar Sehwag was present in the commentary box which added all essential matters for him to say goodbye to his 18 year long career. The Ambedkar Stadium End was renamed Ashish Nehra End for this game.
“I bowled my first over from this end, against Haryana on my Ranji debut…it’s all very emotional,” he said.
India will face New Zealand for second T20 match in the series on November 4,Saturday at Rajkot. If India wins the second match, they will be ranked second in the ICC T20 rankings.
