India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I, Delhi: 5 Game-Changing Moments

India clinched their 7th consecutive ODI series with their recent win at Kanpur. The focus then shifted further north to the Ferozshah Kotla, New Delhi for the commencement of the 3-match T20I series. All eyes were on Ashish Nehra who was scheduled to play his final game for India.

After losing the toss, Kane Williamson put the hosts into bat as the Dhawan and Rohit put India into the driver’s seat. Thanks to some ordinary fielding and an exceptional finish from the home team, India posted a challenging of 202 in front of the Kiwis.

However, Indian bowling and fielding turned out to be too much for the visitors as they ended up with only 149. In the end, India won the match comprehensively by a margin of 53 runs. Let us look at the five game-changing moments of the match.

1. Shikhar Dhawan’s providing blistering start

Shikhar Dhawan looked a class apart today right from the first ball he faced. In the ground where he played most of his junior-level cricket, i.e., his home ground, he smashed a blistering yet elegant inning of 80 off just 52 deliveries at a whopping strike rate of 153, with 10 boundaries and a couple of sixes.

His innings helped provide India with the platform from where they could launch the final onslaught but also the necessary relaxation time to Rohit Sharma who was struggling with his timing during the first half of the innings. Also, India never struggled with run-rate with Dhawan at the crease.

2. Rohit Sharma’s catches up later

After struggling initially with his timing during the first half of the inning where he scored only 23 off the 26 deliveries he faced, Rohit Sharma ended up with 80 runs to his name off just 55 deliveries, to make up for the slow start.

Both Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan broke Sehwag and Gambhir’s opening stand to post a new record of 158 runs, which is now the highest for India in T20Is.

3. Blitzkrieg from Kohli and MS Dhoni

After losing a couple of quick wickets, India was in danger of losing the momentum generated during the backend of the innings. Wickets off consecutive balls which dismissed well set Dhawan and dangerous Pandya. However, Virat Kohli smashed one of his greatest cameos in T20s with his 26 off just 11 deliveries.

He smashed 3 powerful sixes, one of which reached the top of the stadium. MS Dhoni came in and smashed a maximum the very first ball he faced, thereby, bringing back time to give us a glimpse of the vintage Dhoni. India managed to reach a total of 202 with the help of late blitzkrieg from Kohli and Dhoni.

4. Pandya’s catch/New Zealand dropping catches

New Zealand spilled way too many catches for their liking and gave priceless lives to the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who eventually took the game away from the Kiwis. India, on the other hand, looked world class in the field as they saved all the extra runs as well as took some sensational wickets off catches and run-outs.

Hardik Pandya clinched perhaps the catch of the season as he ran in from long-off and dived to take a blinder right in front of the sightscreen. That moment of brilliance sparked exceptional efforts the likes of MS Dhoni, Chahal, Dhawan and even Nehra.

5. Professional bowling from India

New Zealand was never in the hunt in pursuit for the mammoth total set by the home team as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

Spinners Chahal and Axar clawed their way in the wickets column after the good platform laid by the new ball bowlers. Both spinners ended up with a couple wickets while Pandya, Bhuvi and Bumrah picked up a wicket each.