India and New Zealand faced off for one final time in the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium at Ahmedabad. New Zealand came into the game trying to put one over India and break their proud home record. For Hardik Pandya and his team this was a good chance to win yet another bilateral series at home.
India so far have beaten Sri Lanka with a 2-1 margin earlier this year in the T20 format. In the ODI format the Indian team has already beaten Sri Lanka and New Zealand each with a 3-0 margin.
The story so far –
New Zealand won the first game at Ranchi by 21 runs to give the Indian team and its fans a jolt. India came back to win the 2nd game at Lucknow on Sunday in a low scoring encounter with one ball to spare. The win on Sunday meant that the series went into a decider.
Prithvi Shaw ignored yet again –
India won the toss and chose to bat first, this was despite the ground slated to have dew later in the day. India made one change to their team, Umran Malik came in for Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Indian fans were shocked when the team was announced, as there were reports of Shaw slated to play the final game. India decided to stick with Ishan Kishan despite his bad run of form. Prithvi Shaw who has been in good form with the bat was made to warm the benches yet again.
Ishan Kishan fails yet again –
India opened with Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan and the left hander disappointed yet again. Kishan has managed to put runs on the board since his double ton against Bangladesh in the ODI format. On Wednesday he was trapped out LBW for 1 when he fell to Michael Bracewell.
Tripathi and Gill launch fierce attack –
Rahul Tripathi finally showed glimpses of his IPL form when he struck an impressive 22 ball 44. Tripathi and Gill went after the Kiwi bowlers adding 80 runs for the 2nd wicket. Tripathi’s knock contained 4 fours and 3 sixes and while going for his 4th six, he was caught at the boundary by Ferguson off Sodhi.
Gill on the other hand kept his fine form going with a maiden half century in T20I cricket. At the time of writing, India had lost Surya Kumar Yadav for 25 caught by Santner off Tickner as India were 131/3 from 13 overs.
Twitter reacts –
Indian fans weren’t happy at Shaw made to warm the bench again and took to Twitter to have their say.
Ye pandya khud ko samjhta kya h b******d🙄?? Baap ka team samajh rakha hai kya?? #PrithviShaw
— Ankit Kumar (@indianankit1) February 1, 2023
This management is worse than the last one.#PrithviShaw
— Abhishek Sharma (2nd Account) (@abhysharma1308) February 1, 2023
Why not #PrithviShaw still....😶😶
— Ayan Khanra (@AyanKha93842862) February 1, 2023
Prithvi Shaw not getting the chances while Ishan Kishan and Rahul Tripathi getting after the failures is just 🥲🥲 My man would have made most of the chance had he got that!! Till Next Time then @PrithviShaw #PrithviShaw
— N Shashank (@nshashank_02) February 1, 2023
Prithvi Shaw not getting the chances while Ishan Kishan and Rahul Tripathi getting after the failures is just 🥲🥲 My man would have made most of the chance had he got that!! Till Next Time then @PrithviShaw #PrithviShaw
— N Shashank (@nshashank_02) February 1, 2023
Prithvi Shaw in team India :-#INDvNZ #PrithviShaw pic.twitter.com/a2gVQdod7L
— Nagendra singh chouhan🥀💖 (@k_p_7773) February 1, 2023