India registered a narrow 6-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20I in Lucknow.
On a track where there was a lot of assistance for the spinners, the Kiwis posted a paltry 99/8 on the board after opting to bat first. Skipper Mitchell Santner was the top scorer with 19.
Chasing the target, the Men in Blue were expected to get over the line with ease but the Indian batters couldn’t get going against the New Zealand spinners as well.
The hosts were struggling at 70/4 and it was then Suryakumar Yadav (26*) and Hardik (15*) put on an unbeaten 31-run stand to take India over the line with six wickets in hand and one ball to spare.
“I always believed that we'll be able to finish the game, but it went quite late. All these games are important with the moments. You don't need to panic because it was about rotating the strike rather than taking the pressure. That's exactly what we did. We followed our basics,” said Pandya at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“To be honest, it was a shocker of a wicket. Both the games we have played on so far. I don't mind difficult wickets. I am all up for that, but these two wickets are not made for T20. Somewhere down the line the curators or the grounds that we are going to play in should make sure they prepare the pitches earlier,” he added.
Except for Shivam Mavi, all the Indian bowlers managed to claim at least a wicket. While Arshdeep Singh returned with two scalps, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar and Hardik Pandya took one wicket each.
The Indian captain was pleased with the performance of his bowlers.
“Other than that, I’m happy. Even 120 would have been a winning total. Bowlers - they stuck to their plans and ensured they did not rotate the strike. We kept rotating the spinners. Dew didn't play much part in this. They were able to spin the ball more than us. It was carrying through well. It was a shocker of a wicket,” stated Hardik.
With this victory, India levelled the three-match T20I series 1-1. The third and final T20I will be held in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (February 1).