Win Projections to be updated soon
3rd T20I, Napier, November 22, 2022, 12:00 PM
New Zealand
160/10(19.4ov)
India
75/4(9.0ov)
India tied with New Zealand (D/L method)
Right then, that is it from the game. The rain gods interrupt and the game ends with a tie. India have won the series by 1-0 and skipper Hardik Pandya picks up the T20I series trophy. We will be back with more cricketing action as both sides will face each other in a three-match ODI series starting on 25th November at 7.00 am IST (1.30 am GMT). Do join us early for the build-up as well. Till then, take care and goodbye.
India's captain, Hardik Pandya says that they would have liked to win the game but it is how it is, and is happy. Adds that he felt that offense is the defense on this wicket and the opposition had bowlers with great skills so he wanted to put them under pressure. Says that a game like this would have been a good test for their middle order but it wasn't meant to be. Ends by saying that he will now fly home, relax and watch the upcoming ODI series.
Tim Southee, the skipper of New Zealand says that it was a disappointing display with the bat and they had a talk about taking some early wickets in the game. Adds that they knew if they could take some early wickets anything could happen but unfortunately the weather came in. Further says that if both sides would have batted it would have been an interesting game. Ends by saying that they did well overall in this game under pressure and it would be nice to play some ODI cricket against a quality side like India.
Suryakumar Yadav is the Player of the Series for his scintillating batting display. He says that he is really happy with how things went and would have loved to have a full game here but it happens. Adds that the pressure is always there and he enjoys batting under pressure and looked to just express himself out in the middle. Mentions that the intent and approach will remain the same in the ODIs as well. Says that all they can do is go out and play fearlessly but the weather isn't under their control.
Mohammed Siraj (4-0-17-4) is the Player of the Match. He says that the pitch was not easy as he was prepared to bowl the hard lengths. Adds that he executed his plan well and kept it simple. Further says that he kept on bowling the hard lengths and it went well. Ends by saying that the weather is not in their hands but he is happy with the series win.
The presentation ceremony...
After opting to bat first, New Zealand had a mixed Powerplay with some good shots and a few wickets falling as well. Then came a big partnership between Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway with both batters taking on the Indian bowlers at will. It looked like the Kiwis would post a score in excess of 180 runs but then came the comeback by the Indian pacers. It was Mohammed Siraj who broke the stand and then he and Arshdeep Singh just ripped through the line-up. New Zealand managed to get to a par score and did bowl well during the chase. With the game hanging on a knife's edge, the rain played spoilsport and remarkably India ended up matching the DLS par score, making it a tie to end the T20I series.
India ended well with the ball and had a bit of momentum coming into the chase. Both Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant played attacking shots but after a couple of good shots, both of them fell cheaply. Shreyas Iyer fell first ball but then came the counter-attack from Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Just when things looked under control, SKY was dismissed and the scoring rate decreased. On the last delivery of the 9th over, a misfield from Mitchell Santner allowed Deepak Hooda a single that Pandya wasn't even keen on taking. That single turned out to be the run that sealed the series for India.
New Zealand needed early wickets and they got just that inside the Powerplay as stand-in skipper Tim Southee went bang, bang with the ball. There were however a couple of costly overs which kept the visitors close to the DLS par score. After the Powerplay, the Kiwi bowlers found it difficult to curtail the runs but once Ish Sodhi got rid of Suryakumar Yadav, New Zealand had new hope. In the end, it wasn't enough and the hosts were undone by the rain.
The umpires have a look and the inevitable has happened! The game has been called off due to the rain and this match will end as a tie. As a result, India win the three-match T20I series 1-0. The Kiwi players look dejected and in a game of fine margins, a slight fumble on the final delivery before the play stopped for the last time has cost them levelling the series.
UPDATE 3.47 pm IST (10.17 am GMT) - It has stopped raining now. The umpires are out in the middle to inspect the outfield. Stay tuned for further updates.
UPDATE 3.23 pm IST (9.53 am GMT) - Oh, no! The rain is back and the groundstaff is rushing to the middle as the players go off. The DLS par score is 75 and India are on par with it and if there is no further play, it will be a tie. The rain is pretty strong at the moment. Stick around for further updates.
In over# 9
1
1
1
1
1
1
Ish Sodhi 12/1(2)
8.6
1
Flatter and on off, Deepak Hooda guides it to cover-point where Mitchell Santner fumbles and allows a run. A single to end the over.
8.5
1
Fuller one, on off. Hardik Pandya knocks it to extra covers for one again.
8.4
1
This one lands outside off, Deepak Hooda guides it to point for one more.
8.3
1
Slightly shorter and down leg, Hardik Pandya works it to mid-wicket for one.
8.2
1
Fuller and on off, Deepak Hooda taps it to covers for one.
8.1
1
Flatter and on off, Hardik Pandya drives it towards covers. The fielder gets a hand to it and makes a good stop. They cross.
In over# 8
0
1
1
2
0
1
Mitchell Santner 5/0(1)
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