Washington Sundar’s 55 off 28 goes in vain as India fails to chase 177 against New Zealand in 1st T20I
The Indian cricket team suffered a rare defeat at home yesterday as they were beaten by New Zealand in the first T20I of the Mastercard series.
India failed to chase down the meager looking total of 176 runs in their 20 overs. They fell short of the target and were only able to score 155 runs and lost 9 wickets as well.
Washington Sundar showcase all round skills
Anyone who saw the match would feel bad for Washington Sundar. The slogger allrounder was in the form of his life in the game and it seemed as if he would take his side over the line.
Sundar was having a great day in all three aspects of the game. He had picked a brace with ball with hands while giving away just 22 runs in his 4 overs. Hence becoming one of the most economic bowlers for India in first inning.
Sundar also took a miraculously athletic catch to dismiss Chapman on his own bowling. This helped India in subduing the top order of New Zealand and build pressure.
However, what enthralled everyone in the game was his exploits with bat.
Washington Sundar scores maiden fifty in T20Is
Sundar came to the crease after the dynamic inning of Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 47 off 34, came to an end. He joined Indian Skipper in the middle, and decided to continued where SKY had left off.
Pandya soon departed for a score of 21 and Sundar was left to finish the job. He tried to sheer a partnership with Hooda who too fell short of the mark yesterday.
Batting with the tail, Sunday added 40 crucial runs to steer his team towards something substantia. But without any support there was no way he could have completed the humongous task.
As a result, India required 33 runs off the final over. And as was expected they fell way short of it and ended up losing the game by 21 runs.
Sundar got out in the second last ball of the inning with a 55 against his name from just 28 deliveries.
This was his maiden T20I century and it too went in vain. However, with this knock he has proven once again how handy he is with both bat and bowl in his hand.
Sunder smashed 5 fours and 3 sixes in his inning to show the world what he is capable of. Although in a losing cause, his inning entertained the crowd for them to back him up to do it again next time when the opportunity and need arises.
Conway, Mitchell power NZ to 176 in first inning
Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell were the difference between the two teams. They gave their team the much required start and finish that allowed them to score a competitive total of 176.
Conway opened the inning with Finn Allen, and together they added 43 runs for the first wicket. The Southpaw went on to score his 9th fifty in the shortest format. He was dismissed for 52 by Arshdeep Singh.
Daryl Mitchell applied the much required finishing touches to the Kiwi innings. He scored a quick fire 59 off just 30 deliveries that included 3 fours and 5 sixes to ensure that his team reached a respectable total.
In the end, New Zealand under Santner’s captaincy emerged victorious.
India will take away all the good from this game and try to comeback stronger in the second T20I which will be played on Sunday in Lucknow.
