India chased down a colossal target of 226 runs to win the first T20I with two balls to spare.
India secured a thrilling four-wicket win against New Zealand in the first T20I in Christchurch on Thursday (October 22), taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
After India won the toss and elected to field, the hosts put up a formidable total of 225/4 from their 20 overs. Glenn Phillips top-scored with an unbeaten 82 off 40 balls while Finn Allen (45 off 24) and Bevon Jacobs (31 off 16) made key contributions.
Chasing a colossal target of 226, India responded with 230 for six in 19.4 overs. Sanju Samson led the foundation with a brilliant knock of 67 in 33 balls, while Shreyas Iyer (42 off 28), Axar Patel (24 off 14) and Naman Dhir (42* off 15) produced important knocks towards the end.
Speaking after the game, India skipper Shreyas noted that the pitch played slow initially, causing the bowlers to err in their lengths. However, heavy dew completely changed the surface, making it slide onto the bat beautifully and allowing the Kiwis to post a massive total.
“When we started bowling, I thought it was playing a bit slow. The ball was holding a bit, and we bowled a little ahead compared to the hard lengths we should have been hitting. But as soon as the game progressed, we saw the dew coming in, and the wicket was skidding flatter as the ball was getting through and coming onto the bat pretty well, and that's how they got the momentum and they reached to 220,” Iyer said at the post-match presentation.
He commended the duo of Samson and Abhishek Sharma for dismantling the Black Caps attack to score a staggering 94 runs in the Powerplay.
“Kudos to them for the efforts, but obviously we needed that kind of start, especially when you're chasing 220, getting to 80-85 in six overs, that's a tremendous start.
“[On whether he gives Abhishek and Samson any instructions at the top of the order] Yeah, they're absolutely experienced enough. You don't have to tell them how to go about their business. They know exactly what they're doing, and once they get going, it's just about the momentum they carry forward, and today was just an example of that. So obviously it doesn't happen every time, but once they click, you see that they set a game for us, and the rest of us, we just come and steady the ship and see to it that we finish off the game,” Iyer remarked.
Stepping into the crucial number seven spot, Naman kept his composure through a chaotic middle-order wobble to carry India over the finish line.
The captain was effusive in praise of the Punjab lad for providing incredible flexibility as a genuine utility all-rounder.
“Yes, absolutely. He gives us a lot of options, especially for lefty batsmen, or even the right-handers batting, especially on this ground, coming in and bowling those two-three crucial overs actually can change the momentum. And I personally feel that the calm and composed nature that he showed today, it was simply magnificent to see him bat,” Iyer concluded.
The second T20I will take place at the same venue in Christchurch on Saturday (October 24).