The Hardik Pandya-led side locked horns with New Zealand for the third time in the three-match T20I series. But rain interrupted the play at McLean Park in Napier and the match ended up in a tie. Fans were expecting a full match but they did get to see that. Weather reports predicted some showers earlier but somehow the match started as the rain stopped after the toss.
Talking about the first inning, the Kiwis decided to bat first after winning the toss. But in the first match, they started their inning by losing Finn Allen in the initial overs of the match. Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips lift the innings and put a fast 86-run partnership. Conway played a slow knock of 59 runs off 49 balls which included 5 fours and 2 sixes while Phillips scored 54 runs off 33 balls at a strike rate of 1603.64, he smashed 5 fours and 3 sixes.
However, the Indian bowlers made a remarkable comeback and wrapped up the kiwis on 160 runs. The star of the bowling were Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj. Both took 4 wickets each and help India to restrict the NZ side to 160.
Fans disappointed to see Sanju Samson benched yet again
When India came to chase the target, India were in a tough situation as they lost 3 wickets early in the innings as the new opening experiment failed once again as Ishan Kishan got out in the second over of the inning while Rishabh Pant also departed in the next over. Shreyas continued his struggle against the short-pitch deliveries and got out for a golden duck. Pandya and Deepak Hooda were in the middle before the rain interrupted and the match was called off.
Before the start of the match, the team selection raised many eyebrows as they couldn’t fit Sanju Samson into the squad in the third T20I match as well. Many fans were expecting to see Samson in the place of Rishabh Pant or Shreyas Iyer but that didn’t happen. Umran Malik also didn’t get the opportunity.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to today’s match:
India accepting bilateral trophy after an embarrassing Worldcup exit. #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/Sw7YdAHta7
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 22, 2022
Another opportunity wasted by #RishabPant!!
— Vishwajit Patil (@_VishwajitPatil) November 22, 2022
Gotta feel sad for Samson…he deserves a chance to be in the playing 11. #SanjuSamson #NZvIND #INDvNZ #INDvsNZ #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/oK4qIJS3cj
Captains trying to understand DL method. #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/7U1fr0Lz4r
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 22, 2022
1 like= 1 slap for Rishabh Pant
— Anurag ™ (@Rightgaps9) November 22, 2022
The bcci lobby who plays ahead of Sanju Samson without any performance.#NZvsIND #NZvINDonPrime #RishabhPant #SanjuSamson #indvsnz pic.twitter.com/PRCTFsMzzn
Mohammed Siraj is so impressive and match Changer Bowler. What a Delightful Spell OF 4-0-17-4 in Second T20 match against NZ. Hope team manganemt now Show some Faith in him. #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/ZNubJUNvEJ
— Ayush Ranjan (@AyushRaGenius) November 22, 2022
Didn't the officials check the weather report for matches 😔😔#IndvsNZ #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/H32c24Bpa9
— Gaurav Shrishrimal (Kaagaz) (@1992gaurav) November 22, 2022
Let's take a moment and appreciate the captaincy of Hardik pandya.
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) November 22, 2022
New Zealand was in momentum after 10 overs but without any delayed he brought siraj nd he took the important wicket of Phillips.
the way he captained the last 5 overs was 🔥#NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/GKpW3e18lk
Same Energy 🦧#NZvsIND #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/GSFQmCIzJY
— Veer (@VeerUnfiltered) November 22, 2022
