इस मुकाबले में भी कप्तान विराट कोहली की अनुपस्तिथि में सलामी बल्लेबाज़ रोहित शर्मा ने कप्तानी की कमान संभाली| मेजबान टीम ने पहले बल्लेबाजी करते हुए टिम सिफर्ट के शानदार 84 (43) के साथ भारतीय गेंदबाजी आक्रमण को मात देते हुए मेहमान टीम के सामने कुल 219/6 का स्कोर खड़ा किया|
जिसके बाद शिखर धवन और विजय शंकर ने भारत के लिए अच्छी शुरुआत की| हालांकि, जब ऐसा लगा कि दोनों एक बड़ी साझेदारी की ओर बढ़ रहे हैं, तब ही धवन मैदान से बाहर हो गए|
जिसके बाद नम्बर चार पर बल्लेबाज़ी करने आये रिषभ पंत से उम्मीद की जा रही थी कि वे आतिशबाजी पारी खेलते हुए भारत को जीत की ओर अग्रसर करेंगे| हालांकि, इसके विपरीत युवा खिलाड़ी क्रीज पर अपनी पूरी अवधि के लिए संघर्ष करते हुए नज़र आये|
अपनी पारी के दौरान पंत विभिन्न शॉट खेलने के दौरान आरामदायक नज़र नहीं आये| जिसके चलते वह 10 ओवर में कुल 4 रन ही बना पाए और मिचेल सेंटनेर के हाथो मैदान से बाहर हो गए| जिसके बाद ट्विटर पर फैंस बल्ले के साथ पंत के खराब प्रदर्शन से काफी नाराज थे| क्योकि सभी को 21 वर्षीय से उम्मीद थी कि वह विशेष रूप से छोटे मैदानों में अपना जलवा बिखेर सकते हैं, लेकिन वे ऐसा करने में असफल रहे| पंत की बल्लेबाजी की रणनीति के खिलाफ फंस ने अपनी अलग-अलग प्रतिक्रियाएं दी हैं-
Ishan Kishan is any given day better T20 batter than overrated Rishab Pant. #AskStar
— Bishwajeet Mahato (@mahato99) February 6, 2019
Pahle straight shot Sikh lo baad main reverse shot khelna. ..Rishab Pant. ...
— Akhilesh Kumar (@Akhilesh1404201) February 6, 2019
Rishab Pant, you've to get your eye in before trying audacious shots kid. Very irresponsible innings. Definitely didn't expect this from him.#NZvIND
— shaz doherty (@tennis_enigma) February 6, 2019
#staraikelungal
— Kavi (@Kavi92176675) February 6, 2019
Kedar jadhav is more better than Rishab pant in top order batting
Rishab Pant is overrated.#NZvIND
— Captain Jeetha (@captainjeetha) February 6, 2019
Childish and foolish batting by Rishabh Pant. Was making a joke out of himself on the field. Immature play. #NZvIND
— Jainam Mehta (@Jainam09) February 6, 2019
What's up with Rishabh Pant? He plays like he doesn't care. ..
— Maverick ???????? (@HarishHMavericK) February 6, 2019
Dont you All think that Rishabh Pant ,Hardik padya, getting more importance without doing anything for indian cricket? They are IPL starts only. #AskStar
— swapan (@swapan3108) February 6, 2019
Rishabh Pant literally got out for 4 runs off 10 balls at a strike rate of 40, you stupid imbeciles coming after Dhoni for 'not attacking'! #NZvInd
— Eamon Lahiri (@TheSimianFreud) February 6, 2019
I don't think Rishabh Pant should be in the WC squad. For all his talent, he has underperformed in international ODIs and T20s and you can't have kind of a liability in a world cup. He's great for tests because the field is up and he can get away with some mishits. #NZvIND
— Short Third Man (@vyatikram188) February 6, 2019
Rishabh Pant averages 19 after 11 T20 internationals, *at a strike rate of a 112* (i wish there was a way to put that in block letters).
— Eamon Lahiri (@TheSimianFreud) February 6, 2019
If you have a point about Dhoni ???? Pant, it is objectively wrong.#NZvIND
Yes , What you said was right ????
— Roushan Singh (@Roushan06064666) February 6, 2019
Rishabh Pant is a GameChanger
Except that he changed the game from where India had a chance to India had no chance of winning ???? Keep it up Vikrant Sit @vikrantgupta73
Very very very dissappointed with rishabh pant today the way he played today was not acceptable..But still i have seen him bat many a times and he is a better player and the team needs such a player in the wc backing him but if he plays like this only he is the one to be blamed.
— Arsh ???? (@arsh2397) February 6, 2019
Rishabh pant Dhoni ko replace krne k liye khel rha h team k liye khelege us din khiladi ban jayega.#NZvIND
— Bhaukal Anna (@_____Annnaa) February 6, 2019
Rishabh Pant is big let down today #INDvNZ
— Karan Patel (@patelkaran952) February 6, 2019
Rishabh Pant played all kinds of shots, didn’t score runs, consumed 10 deliveries, upped the asking rate and thankfully got out #INDvNZ
— Milesh Daru (@mpd12) February 6, 2019
Rishabh Pant : can't connect for shit.!
— ßATSY???? (@itsalokj_) February 6, 2019
Approaches tests like T20s & T20Is like tests - The curious case of Rishabh Pant #INDvNZ
— ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? (@BeingYuvNaseer) February 6, 2019
Will Rishabh Pant be given a chance in second T20 match?#AskStar
— RAHUL KUMAR (@iamrkjjp) February 6, 2019
Painful existence at crease of Rishabh Pant has mercifully ended. God bless him #INDvNZ @BCCI @ICC @RishabPant777
— D Deb (@DDebKol) February 6, 2019
"Disappointing Rishabh Pant. We had high expectations."
— Manya (@CSKian716) February 6, 2019
The only correct analysis Dugout has done all day. #NZvIND