The first T20I between New Zealand and India got underway on New Zealand Day in the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Much fireworks were expected from the team batting first on a smallish ground and the crowd got their money’s worth.
New Zealand was put into bat first after Rohit Sharma won the toss. Kiwis had hoped for a good start and they got a terrific one as both Seifert and Munro, in his 50th T20I, went after the Indian bowlers and put up 66 runs in the powerplay.
Munro got 34 while Seifert made a career-best 84 off 43 balls with 6 sixes and 7 fours. Williamson hit 3 sixes in his 34, while Taylor made 23 and Kuggeleijn ending well for Kiwis with 20* in 7 balls.
For India, Hardik picked 2/51, with all the other bowlers going for runs apart from Krunal, who picked 1/37 in his 4 overs. New Zealand put up a stiff 219/6 in 20 overs and Indian team will have to play out of their skin to chase that total down.
BRIEF SCORES:
NZ 219/6 (T SEIFERT 84; H PANDYA 2/51)