After posting a humungous total of 234/4 in 20 overs, the Men in Blue packed New Zealand for just 66 to register a remarkable victory by 168 runs. Indian bowlers exhibited top-class bowling led by skipper Hardik Pandya, who bagged four wickets.
Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 24 off 13 with the bat, displayed some outstanding fielding skills, taking as many as three tremendous catches. His first catch, however, grabbed the maximum eyeballs as the Pune-born took an absolute blinder to get rid of Black Caps opener Finn Allen.
It all happened during the opening over of New Zealand’s chase bowled by Pandya. The right-armer went for a length delivery, and Allen slashed it hard to hit it over covers. However, it got the leading edge which flew quickly towards the slip region. For a moment, it appeared the ball would sail over Suryakumar, but the Indian vice-captain timed his jump to perfection and took the catch with both hands over his head. Surya had very little time to react, but he showed quick reflexes and grabbed a stunner.
Here is the video:
Earlier in the match, India, after being asked to bat first, reached a massive total thanks to a scintillating batting effort from opening batter Shubman Gill. The 23-year-old took New Zealand bowlers to the cleaners and smashed his maiden hundred in the shortest format. Gill carried his bat and stayed unbeaten on 126 from just 63 deliveries, with the help of 12 fours and 7 sixes.
“It feels good when you practice, and it pays off. I was backing myself to score big. Didn’t happen in the Sri Lanka series, but happy to see it work out now. Everybody has a different technique to hit sixes. When you represent your country, there is no fatigue. It was my dream to play for India, and I am very fortunate to be part of the team in all three formats,” said Gill after bagging Player of the Match award.
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