Ranchi was the next destination as the Indian cricket caravan continues its journey. India took on New Zealand on Friday in what was the first of 3 T20 games to be played. The home team had just blanked the Kiwis with a 3-0 margin a few days ago in the ODI series. The series win meant that India went atop the table of the ODI rankings to be placed at number 1.
The story as it happened β
Huge cheers greeted India as Hardik Pandya and Mitchell Santner came out for the toss. The Indian captain won the toss and chose to bowl as India went in with the same team that won the final game against Sri Lanka. One of the most surprising moves was the non inclusion of Yuzvendra Chahal who was dropped to accommodate Washington Sundar.
Sundar takes an amazing catch to dismiss Chapman β
Hardik Pandya decided to give Washington Sundar the ball in the 3rd over. The kiwis had scored 23 runs of their first 2 overs. The first over saw Sundar concede just 3 runs as the magic unfolded in his next over. Mark Chapman came into replace the departed Finn Allen, and had no clue to the guiles of the young off spinner Sundar.
The first 3 ball just whizzed past his bat as there was turn and bounce on offer. Chapman was enticed into a drive after yet another flighted delivery on offer from Sundar. The left hander went for a drive only to get an edge as Sundar dived full length to take an excellent one handed grab.
Spectacular catch by Washington Sundar on his own bowling π₯#IndvsNZpic.twitter.com/OSMW248M08
β Utsav π (@utsav045) January 27, 2023
Finn Allen falls after a quick start β
Finn Allen began like a freight train as he went after the Indian seamers right from the word go. Allen who had a tough time during the ODI series scored 35 off 23 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Allen became Sundarβs first wicket when he was caught by Surya Kumar Yadav to give India itβs first wicket.
The match at Ranchi favors the team chasing as there is a case of dew likely to play a huge role for the team bowling 2nd.