'Ice cool to take us home'- Ravichandran Ashwin lauds Rohit Sharma's magical performance against New Zealand

India was involved in the third game of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. It turned out to be a nail-biting encounter that was full of ups and downs. The spectators who came to watch the game must have enjoyed the game to the fullest as it went to the tie-breaking Super Over. In the end, the visitors won the game on the back of some astonishing batting display produced by Rohit Sharma.

Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin also came up with a cherishing post on Hitman’s performance against the Kiwis. Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and elected to field. But the decision backfired as Rohit Sharma (65 runs off 40 balls) and KL Rahul (27 runs off 19 balls) smacked their bowlers all across the park from the beginning of the innings. The duo stitched a brilliant partnership of 89 runs for the first wicket that helped the Men in Blue to post a massive total on the scoreboard.

Rohit Sharma steers India to the win in the Super Over

Later on, Rahul was dismissed by Colin de Grandhomme that helped New Zealand in breaking the dangerous partnership. Shivam Dube, who came out to bat at No.3 couldn’t utilise the opportunity and he got out after scoring three odd runs off Hamish Bennett. Virat Kohli muscled 38 runs off 27 balls while batting on number four position that took India to a competitive score of 179 runs for a loss of five wickets in stipulated 20 overs.

New Zealand openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro also helped their side in getting off to a flying start. They stitched a brilliant partnership of 47 runs but consecutive wickets in two overs left New Zealand struggling at a score of 52 runs at the loss of two wickets. Kane Williamson, who came out to bat at No.3, looked in full flow with the bat.

The 29-year-old smacked 95 runs off 48 balls, coupled with eight boundaries and six massive sixes. His brilliant effort took Kiwis on the verge of winning the game but a brilliant last over by Mohammed Shami took the match into the tie-breaking Super Over. Shami castled Ross Taylor when New Zealand needed one run in one ball.

In the Super Over, New Zealand managed in posting 17 runs off Jasprit Bumrah. For Team India, the target looked quite vague as the equation went down to 10 runs in the last two deliveries with Rohit Sharma on strike. However, Rohit Sharma had other plans. The Hitman went for back to back sixes that helped India to clinch the T20I series.

After the conclusion of the game, Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian off-spinner took to his Twitter handle and applauded the performance of Rohit Sharma by stating:”Great game of cricket and @ImRo45 was ice cool to take us home in the super over”. Rohit was awarded Man of the Match for his magical performance in 3rd T20I.

Here is the post:

Great game of cricket and @ImRo45 was ice cool to take us home in the super over. #indvsnz

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) January 29, 2020