Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has slammed the New Zealand cricket team for a one-sided defeat in the T20 World Cup 2021 final against Australia. After posting a total of 172/4 in the first innings, New Zealand failed to put up a fight with the ball as the Aussies chased it down in 18.5 overs with 8 wickets in hand.

Gambhir felt the Kiwis have let down their fans with an average performance in the final and he would have demanded a refund for such defeat. He also revealed New Zealand was his favorite side in the T20 World Cup 2021 after India. 

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“My favorite side after India (for the T20 World Cup) was New Zealand. Seeing them bullied around like an apprentice wasn’t a pleasant experience,” wrote Gambhir in his column for TOI.

“They batted very well to score 172 for four. More often than not this kind of score isn’t that tough to defend, especially with a balanced attack like that of New Zealand. But clearly, the occasion got to them as they didn’t look the same team that beat India or England in the semis.” he said.

Gambhir felt the Kane Williamson-led side could have put up a better show being one of the teams who give clarity to their players while assigning them roles. 

“New Zealand is one team that prides itself on meticulous planning, clear role definitions, precise execution, and all this without any fanfare…If I was a New Zealand supporter, I would have demanded a refund seeing my team all over the place in the second half. It wasn’t a performance worthy of a final,” wrote Gambhir.

(With Times of India Inputs)