NZ survive tight close to claim India T20 series 2-1 | Daily News

NZ survive tight close to claim India T20 series 2-1

New Zealand players celebrate winning the third Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and India in Hamilton on February 10. AFP
New Zealand players celebrate winning the third Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and India in Hamilton on February 10. AFP

Hamilton, Sunday: Colin Munro’s explosive 72 set up a four-run win for New Zealand over India in a cliff-hanger finish to Sunday’s Twenty20 match in Hamilton, handing the hosts a 2-1 series victory.

India looked to be on the ropes when they needed 47 off the last three overs.

But Dinesh Karthik and Krunal Pandya together plundered 32 off overs 18 and 19 before Tim Southee restricted the duo to 11 in the 20th.

“It was obviously touch-and-go there for us,” said Munro whose whirlwind knock at the start of the match laid the platform for New Zealand’s 212 for four with India 208 for six at the close.

The morale-boosting victory for New Zealand gave captain Kane Williamson something to smile about after they were whipped 4-1 by India in the earlier one-day international series.

“It came down to the last couple of balls and it’s nice to come out on the right side,” he said.

It was a more sombre mood in the India dressing after Rohit Sharma had won the toss and defied convention by not batting first in a series decider, saying his team preferred to chase regardless.

“It was pretty disappointing to not get over that finishing line but I thought we fought really well till the end,” he said. AFP 


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