Cricket

Cricket Commentary

NZ VS IND

1st T20I, 22-Oct-2026

225/4 20.0 oversRun Rate: 11.25
VS
230/6 19.4 overs Run Rate: 11.86
India beat New Zealand by 4 wickets
New Zealand First Innings
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Glenn Phillips(82 | 40)*
Michael Bracewell(7 | 6)
B Kumar|4|0|49|0
419.819.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! What a way to end the innings. Innovation at its very best. 14 runs off the final over as New Zealand finish on 225/4. Kumar slips in a full ball, on middle. Phillips switches his hands on the bat and shapes up as a left-hander. He swings it away in front of square. There is only one man square of the wicket on the off side for the right-hander, and he is well beaten to his right.
8 Over | Run: 225/4 | Run Rate: 11.25
219.719.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Glenn Phillips, Low full toss, on off. Phillips powers the drive wide of long off. Tilak Varma is swift to his right there but can't pick the ball up in one go, allowing the batters to come back for the second run comfortably.
119.619.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Michael Bracewell, Bracewell shuffles across but Bhuvi sticks to his line and length, a yorker, on off. Michael digs it out to extra cover for a single. New Zealand move to 219, this is now their highest T20I score on home soil.
119.519.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Glenn Phillips, Back to the wide line, on a good length. Phillips reaches out and spanks it on the bounce to Axar Patel at deep cover. Just a single. 7 runs off the over so far.
019.419.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Glenn Phillips, Wide. Slower bumper, outside off. Phillips hops to flay at it but misses as the ball goes over his head. Wide given for height.
319.319.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Michael Bracewell, On a length, pushed across the left-hander. Bracewell extends his hands and plays the lofted hit to the right of deep cover. Naman Dhir covers a lot of ground to his right and slides before Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, on as a sub, converges and tidies up. Three runs taken and that brings Phillips back on strike.
119.219.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Glenn Phillips, Keeps it around the tramline and the length is pulled back a bit. Phillips reaches out and has a swing at it. Drags it back towards the bowler and Bhuvi can only make a half-stop. A single is taken as the ball deflects towards extra cover.
019.119.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Glenn Phillips, Wide! Beyond the tramline, Phillips lets it go.
118.618.6: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Glenn Phillips, A full toss, outside off. Phillips loses his shape and mistimes it down to long off for just a single.
6 Over | Run: 211/4 | Run Rate: 11.11
418.518.5: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Incredible shot. Reddy nearly gets the yorker in, on off. Phillips hangs deep in the crease and stays beside the line. Gets just enough leverage to get under the ball and he goes inside out to the right of deep cover for a boundary. One bounce and over the ropes. 11 runs off the over with a ball to go. New Zealand move to 210 and this is now their highest T20I score at this ground.
218.418.4: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Glenn Phillips, Low full toss, on middle, that is slogged away to the left of deep mid-wicket for a brace.
418.318.3: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Up and over. Reddy gets the yorker wrong and dishes out a full toss, outside off. Phillips gets his hands through the line of the ball and slams it over extra cover. The man from the inner ring and another at deep cover give chase, but the ball wins the race.
118.218.2: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Michael Bracewell, Yorker attempted, on middle. Bracewell mistimes the heave down to long on for a single. The 200 is up for New Zealand.
018.118.1: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Michael Bracewell, Given LBW but successfully overturned. Well, well, that looked pretty straight in real-time but Bracewell survives. Reddy bowls the seam-up ball. He goes for the yorker, but it comes out as a low full toss, angled in from around the wicket, on middle and leg. Bracewell shuffles across the stumps for the scoop. He tries to take it on the full but misses and gets pinged low on the front pad. At the request of Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell takes the review. No bat involved on UltraEdge, but the Ball Tracking has the ball missing the leg stump by a coat of varnish. The batters had crossed over for a leg bye but since the on-field umpire had given it out, the ball is deemed dead. So, it stays as a dot.
117.717.6: Arshdeep Singh to Michael Bracewell, Had to hurry! A direct hit could have found Bracewell wanting there. Closer to the off stump, on off. Michael creams it away straight to extra cover and scampers through for the single. A clean pick-up by Shreyas Iyer but he misses his shy at the bowling end as Bracewell dives to get home.
7 Over | Run: 199/4 | Run Rate: 11.06
017.617.6: Arshdeep Singh to Michael Bracewell, Wide. This drifts beyond the tramline, very full. Bracewell lets it go.
117.517.5: Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Phillips, Attempts the yorker but it comes out as a low full toss, wide on off. Phillips reaches out and powers it to deep cover for one more run.
117.417.4: Arshdeep Singh to Michael Bracewell, Low full toss, tailing back in, on middle. Bracewell plays around his front pad as he flicks it to deep backward square leg for a single.
017.317.3: Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Phillips, OUT! BEVON JACOBS IS RUN OUT! Excellent piece of work by Arshdeep Singh. Singh gets the yorker in, around the off stump. Phillips jams it out right beside him and hesitates at first before Jacobs calls him through for a quick single. Arshdeep gets to the ball quickly on his follow-through and kicks it onto the stumps with his left boot. He manages to hit the stumps as Bevon puts in a desperate dive. Nothing more than a polite enquiry from the Indians, and it is sent upstairs. The replays find Jacobs to be short despite the dive. That is a wicket given away cheaply.
417.217.2: Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! In the gap. Arshdeep takes pace off and pushes it across the right-hander, on a good length. Phillips feasts on the width as he carves to the left of Axar Patel at deep point for a boundary.
117.117.1: Arshdeep Singh to Bevon Jacobs, With the field set for the wide yorker, Arshdeep steams in from over the wicket. Low full toss, near the tramline. Jacobs slices it to deep backward point for a single.
416.616.6: Mayank Yadav to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! One bounce and over the ropes. 18 runs off the over, a good one for New Zealand. Yadav lands it on a good length and attacks the sticks. Phillips stays beside the line and stands with an open stance. Lofts it back over the bowler's head and Tilak Varma at long on stands no chance of cutting it off.
6 Over | Run: 190/3 | Run Rate: 11.18
116.516.5: Mayank Yadav to Bevon Jacobs, Hits the back of a length, on middle. Jaobs drives it on the up towards long on for a single.
616.416.4: Mayank Yadav to Bevon Jacobs, SIX! That has gone back many a mile. A well-directed bouncer, around the right shoulder. Jacobs takes his eyes off the ball as he plays the hook and gets more of a top edge, but it goes all the way onto the grass banks.
016.316.3: Mayank Yadav to Bevon Jacobs, Digs it in short, does Yadav, on middle. Jacobs makes room and attempts the pull but the ball grazes the toe end of the bat and goes behind the wicket. Sanju Samson dives to his right to mop it up.
116.216.2: Mayank Yadav to Glenn Phillips, On a hard length, on middle. Phillips hangs back and is cramped for room but manages to tug it away in front of square on the leg side for one.
616.116.1: Mayank Yadav to Glenn Phillips, SIX! Glenn Phillips brings up his FIFTY in style, his 13th in T20Is. He has started this bumper season just the way he would have liked. Yadav takes pace off and goes into the deck, on off. Phillips rises up on his toes and swings across for the pull. Hits it flat but to the right of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a six.
115.715.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Glenn Phillips, Keeps it near the tramline, full in length. Phillips reaches out and smashes it to deep cover for only a single. The 50-run stand comes up in 26 balls.
7 Over | Run: 172/3 | Run Rate: 10.75
215.615.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Glenn Phillips, Yorker attempted but it comes out as a full toss, on off. Phillips clinks it off the toe end and it dribbles towards long off, allowing Phillips to come charging back for the second.
115.515.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Bevon Jacobs, Jacobs can't take full toll. Nearly a yorker by Kumar, around the off stump. Jacobs hangs deep in the crease and tries to get under the ball to clear the long on fence. Holes out to Nitish Kumar Reddy there, who holds onto the ball and is not aware that it was a Free Hit ball. Iyer is not happy one bit and has a word or two to say. No damage done, though, just a single.
015.415.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Bevon Jacobs, No Ball given for it being the second bumper of the over. Pace off, slower one, on off. Jacobs hops and plays the upper cut but misses. Free Hit coming up.
615.315.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Bevon Jacobs, SIX! All the way. Stand and deliver stuff by Jacobs. On a back of a length, on off. It is the slower one and Jacobs is nowhere near the pitch of the ball but uses his long levers to swing through the line. Tilak Varma tries to hug the boundary cushions to have any chance of taking the catch but trips over them and falls to the ground. The ball was going over him anyway.
115.215.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Glenn Phillips, Oh, that has hurt. Kumar slips in a really full ball, on middle. Phillips drills it back at the bowler. The ball hits Bhuvi on the right thumb as he tries to make the stop. It trickles towards mid on and the batters think about the second but Shreyas Iyer gets to the ball quickly from extra cover. Just a single then.
215.115.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Glenn Phillips, Banged in short, over off. Phillips hops and gets his hands high to drag the pull to the left of deep square leg before coming back charging for the second run.
214.714.6: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Bevon Jacobs, Slightly full and outside the off stump, Bevon presses forward and creams it to the right of the cover fielder. Shreyas Iyer sprints to his left from long off and mops it up in the deep. Two runs taken.
7 Over | Run: 158/3 | Run Rate: 10.53
214.614.5: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Bevon Jacobs, The ball is back of a length and outside off, at 126 kph, and Jacobs skips down the track, aiming to muscle it across the line. Gets it off the inner half of the bat and it trickles through mid-wicket for two more.
014.514.5: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Bevon Jacobs, Wide! Short and over the head, 123 kph. Bevon lets it through.
114.414.4: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Glenn Phillips, Good length, outside off, Phillips hits it crisply through cover-point but there's a man patrolling the fence there. So just a single. GP grunts in frustration as he cannot put that away in the gap.
214.314.3: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Glenn Phillips, In the air... lands safely! Good running. It’s a ball at 121 kph, short of a length and outside off, and he tries to muscle it over mid-wicket. All he gets is a top edge, and the ball goes skywards before dropping into no man’s land, where nobody is close enough to make anything of it. The batters cruise back for the second.
114.214.2: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Bevon Jacobs, Good-length delivery, nipping in, Jacobs looks to punch it down the ground. Gets a thick inside edge through mid-wicket for a single. 150 up for New Zealand!
214.114.1: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Bevon Jacobs, On a length and outside the off stump. Jacobs stands tall and punches it to the left of long off for a couple.
413.613.6: Axar Patel to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! KABOOM! A bit short on the stumps, Phillips uses the depth of the crease and smokes it gun-barrel straight down the ground. Before anyone could move a muscle, it speeds to the ropes.
6 Over | Run: 147/3 | Run Rate: 10.50
413.513.5: Axar Patel to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Sloppy, really sloppy by Prince Yadav. Short and wide outside off, and Phillips is waiting for it. He slaps it hard towards deep cover, where Prince Yadav, on as a substitute, makes a complete mess of the pick-up. The ball squirts through his fingers and runs away to the rope. Prince turns back and tries to flick the ball back into play, but it kisses the fence as he bumps into the advertisement boards behind the ropes. The replay confirms the same.
413.413.4: Axar Patel to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Up and over! Powerful hit by GP. Dropped short by Patel, on off, Glenn Phillips gets back and across before pulling it over mid-wicket. It goes one bounce and into the fence for a four.
113.313.3: Axar Patel to Bevon Jacobs, The under-cutter, on a good length, Jacobs lets the ball drift and whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
013.213.2: Axar Patel to Bevon Jacobs, Darted in, on a length, on the stumps, Jacobs is pegged back and looks to work across but gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad.
113.113.1: Axar Patel to Glenn Phillips, Floated full, on leg, Glenn Phillips mistimes the lofted shot off the toe end, and it drops well in front of long on for a single.
112.712.6: Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Phillips, Short of a length, slanted outside off with pace taken off, 117 kph. Glenn throws his bat at it and slaps it to deep cover-point for a single.
7 Over | Run: 133/3 | Run Rate: 10.23
112.612.5: Arshdeep Singh to Bevon Jacobs, Nearly a yorker on the stumps, Jacobs whips it through mid-wicket. The initial call is for two but it is timed well and it races to the fielder quickly. So they stay content with a single.
012.512.5: Arshdeep Singh to Bevon Jacobs, Wide! A sizzling bumper, but it's too high, over the head. Jacobs sways away, drops his wrists and lets it fly back to the keeper.
112.412.4: Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Phillips, A bit too full, 131 kph, around off, Glenn carves it back past the non-striker for a single. Jacobs had to hop to let the ball through his legs.
112.312.3: Arshdeep Singh to Bevon Jacobs, Slower one, short at 120 kph, on top of off, Jacobs stands tall and tries to swat it down the ground but it hits the cue end of the bat and goes back past the bowler for one.
612.212.2: Arshdeep Singh to Bevon Jacobs, SIX! My word, he has picked the bones out of it! Half-volley by Arshdeep, around the off stump, Bevon Jacobs leaves nothing in the tank and unleashes a massive hit down the ground for a mammoth six. Insane bat swing, no sighters needed for Jacobs. Some way to get off the mark.
012.112.1: Arshdeep Singh to Daryl Mitchell, OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND CAUGHT! Arshdeep returns and strikes big in his 100th T20I. Mitchell did get a start but he struggled to find the right timing and perishes. It is banged in hard, landing on leg stump and then angling across the right-hander, Daryl sets himself for the pull. He swings hard across the line but only gets a top edge and the ball spirals straight up into the air towards short third. Bhuvneshwar Kumar lurks underneath it and swallows a straightforward catch. New Zealand are 122/3 in 12.1 overs.
211.611.6: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Glenn Phillips, Great shot, excellent fielding. Good cricket. Full and on the stumps, it seems to be another pace-off delivery. Glenn Phillips clears the front leg and hammers it down the ground, trying to bisect long on and long off, but Tilak from the latter position is quick to get across and save a couple of runs for his side. Two taken. 36 runs in the last 3 overs for New Zealand, as this partnership is now worth 42 runs.
6 Over | Run: 122/2 | Run Rate: 10.17
611.511.5: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Glenn Phillips, SIX! Take that, says Phillips. Serves it right into the wheelhouse. A juicy half-volley on middle, Glenn Phillips picks the slower one, drops the back knee into the pitch and slog-sweeps it massively, dumping it into the crowd behind deep square leg for half a dozen runs.
111.411.4: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Daryl Mitchell, Rolls his fingers over the ball, it is the leg-cutter, full on middle, Mitchell mistimes his lofted shot in the air, but it goes on the bounce to the right of long on for a single.
011.311.3: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Daryl Mitchell, Well-directed short ball, outside the off stump, Mitchell tries to slash it over backward point but the ball springs up off the surface and beats his angled bat.
211.211.2: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Daryl Mitchell, Back of a length, a slower one at 120 kph, on off. Daryl Mitchell mistimes the pull shot over wide mid on and they get back for the second run as the long on fielder cuts it off.
111.111.1: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Glenn Phillips, Fuller in length, 128 kph, around off, Glenn Phillips blasts it powerfully to deep cover-point for a single.
410.610.6: Mayank Yadav to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR MORE! Smart batting from Mitchell! Mayank goes short and outside off at a searing pace. Daryl Mitchell waits back, uses the pace and effortlessly ramps it over the leaping short third fielder for another four.
6 Over | Run: 110/2 | Run Rate: 10.00
410.510.5: Mayank Yadav to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! Fantastic shot! Back of a length, bashed hard into the pitch, on the stumps. Daryl Mitchell makes room by opening his stance and hammers it through the gap between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a cracking four.
110.410.4: Mayank Yadav to Glenn Phillips, Slower ball, on a length, pulled off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.
110.310.3: Mayank Yadav to Daryl Mitchell, DROPPED! Abhishek puts down an absolute dolly. Fuller than a length, angling on middle and leg. Daryl Mitchell gets his front leg out of the way and tries to smoke it over long on but fails to get the timing right. It is hit hard off the toe end and goes flat towards Abhishek Sharma at long on. Sharma gets low to catch but it just pops out of his grasp and drops down. One run taken, but a huge lifeline for Mitchell. Could prove really costly in the end for the Indians.
110.210.2: Mayank Yadav to Glenn Phillips, Full and lasered on the middle stump, Glenn Phillips plays with a straight bat and drives it down the ground. Abhishek Sharma swoops to his left with a slide and makes a good stop. With that single, the 100 is up for New Zealand in 10.2 overs.
110.110.1: Mayank Yadav to Daryl Mitchell, The call is for two, but they will have to settle for one only. Back of a length, on leg, angling in, Daryl tucks it with soft hands through widish square leg and they sprint for the first run. The sub fielder, Prince Yadav, is quick to charge in off the ropes and prevent the second run from being taken.
69.69.6: Axar Patel to Glenn Phillips, SIX! Banged away. A quiet over turns into a productive one for New Zealand with this hit. On a length, angled in on middle from around the wicket. Phillips dances down the track and reaches the pitch. Thumps it back over the sight screen for an 86-metre maximum. 12 runs off the 10th over. 
6 Over | Run: 98/2 | Run Rate: 9.80
19.59.5: Axar Patel to Daryl Mitchell, A bit fuller and a bit of air given, on middle. Mitchell presses forward and looks to launch it downtown. Miscues it off the inner half square on the leg side for a run.
29.49.4: Axar Patel to Daryl Mitchell, Speared in on a good length, on middle. Mitchell shimmies down the track and tucks it in the vacant mid-wicket region. He calls for two and they make it before the throw comes in from the deep by Naman Dhir.
19.39.3: Axar Patel to Glenn Phillips, On a good length, on the off stump. Phillips punches it to deep cover for another single.
19.29.2: Axar Patel to Daryl Mitchell, Low full toss, on off. Mitchell wrists it to long on and crosses over.
19.19.1: Axar Patel to Glenn Phillips, Slanting in at the hips. Phillips nudges it behind square leg and takes the first run hard. Mitchell sets off for the second run before being sent back and rightly so, as Arshdeep Singh was quick to get on the ball.
18.68.6: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Glenn Phillips, Keeps the stumps in play, on a length. Phillips pushes at the ball with hard hands. Gets it off the inner half behind square leg. Ishan Kishan runs in off the ropes and keeps the batters down to a single. A tidy first over from Reddy, just 5 runs off it.
6 Over | Run: 86/2 | Run Rate: 9.56
18.58.5: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Daryl Mitchell, Full and straight on off, Mitchell tries to smoke it over long on by clearing his front leg, but gets it off the toe end and it rolls to widish long on for a single.
18.48.4: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Glenn Phillips, Not all that short, on off. Phillips hangs back and plays the short-arm jab towards deep mid-wicket. They cross.
18.38.3: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Daryl Mitchell, Pushes the length up, on off. Mitchell plays a wristy drive towards long on and rotates the strike.
18.28.2: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Glenn Phillips, Angled in at the sticks, on a good length. Phillips plays it with soft hands towards the vacant mid on region and calls for two straight away. They eventually settle with a single as Reddy hunts down the ball himself.
08.18.1: Nitish Kumar Reddy to Glenn Phillips, At 131 kph, full and on the off stump. Phillips pushes it to cover.
17.67.6: Axar Patel to Glenn Phillips, Skidding through in line with the off stump, on a nagging length. Glenn taps it wide of cover and gets off the mark with a single.
6 Over | Run: 81/2 | Run Rate: 10.13
07.57.5: Axar Patel to Glenn Phillips, Flat and short, on off. Glenn Phillips tucks it to mid-wicket.
07.47.4: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Axar Patel has the last laugh in his battle against Finn Allen. No roar or big celebration from Axar, who simply raises his right hand after the catch is taken. Axar bowls it slower through the air, on the shorter side, on off. Allen backs away towards the leg side and sets up to go down the ground with a horizontal bat. Ends up slicing it high in the air and only gets the height and not the distance. Tilak Varma settles under the skier and takes the catch close to his chest. New Zealand are 2 down for 80.
17.37.3: Axar Patel to Daryl Mitchell, Darted in, on a good length, on middle. Mitchell pushes it to long on for a single.
17.27.2: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, This is slowed down and the length is dragged back, on off. A bit of grip and turn as Allen chips it back over Axar and takes a single.
67.17.1: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, SIX! Axar Patel is being taken to the cleaners here. Floated up, on off. Allen makes room for himself and gets under the ball to slam it back over the bowler's head for half a dozen.
06.76.6: Mayank Yadav to Daryl Mitchell, Gets away with it. Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Mitchell cuts but picks out Axar Patel at backward point.
7 Over | Run: 72/1 | Run Rate: 10.29
16.66.5: Mayank Yadav to Finn Allen, What happened there? Another bumper, on off. Allen takes on the short ball and tries to clear the long boundary on the leg side. Gets it more off the toe end as the ball flies flat towards deep square leg. Ishan Kishan tries to get in off the ropes and stumbles a bit but manages to stay on his feet and sticks out his right hand over his head to make the stop. Just a single. Even without the stumble, the ball was not going to carry to Kishan.
06.56.4: Mayank Yadav to Finn Allen, At 136 kph, on a good length, outside off. Allen walks across for the scoop but does not connect.
46.46.3: Mayank Yadav to Finn Allen, FOUR! Straight as an arrow. Change-up by Mayank as he takes pace off, on a length, on off. Allen picks the slower one and opens up the front hip. He pauses his bat swing before pumping it back over the bowler's head.
06.36.3: Mayank Yadav to Finn Allen, Wide. Dug in short, over off, too high. Allen lets it go as the ball sails over his head.
06.26.2: Mayank Yadav to Finn Allen, Mayank pitches it up, on off. Allen gets his hands through the line and picks the bones out of it as he slams it down the deck. Hits it too straight as the ball crashes into the stumps at the bowling end.
16.16.1: Mayank Yadav to Daryl Mitchell, Yadav bashes the hard length, on off. Mitchell shuffles across and drops it beside the strip on the leg side for a single.
15.65.6: Axar Patel to Daryl Mitchell, Darted in at the pads, on the shorter side. Daryl tucks it to the left of square leg for a single to close out the Powerplay. Despite a quiet first couple of overs, New Zealand finish the Powerplay at 65/1.
6 Over | Run: 65/1 | Run Rate: 10.83
05.55.5: Axar Patel to Daryl Mitchell, Missed out. Low full toss, on off, there to be put away with the field up on the off side. Mitchell knocks it to cover without much timing.
65.45.4: Axar Patel to Daryl Mitchell, SIX! No sighters needed for Mitchell. Straighter from Axar, on a good length, on middle. Mitchell dances down the track and extends his hands into the lofted hit, clearing the long on fence with relative ease.
35.35.3: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, Good hustle! Flat and sliding on with the arm, fractionally arm, on the off stump. Allen makes room to force it through the off side. He slaps it towards extra cover, where the fielder gives chase and makes a half stop, taking the sting out of the shot. Ishan Kishan from cover gives chase and hauls it in with a slide. Three runs taken.
65.25.2: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, SIX! Lovely extension of the arms. A bit of air given, full and around the off stump. Allen makes room for himself and with a clean swing of the arms, he thumps it over long off for a biggie. The 50 comes up for New Zealand.
05.15.1: Axar Patel to Finn Allen, Pushed through, on a length. Allen leans back and powers the drive straight to mid off.
04.64.6: Mayank Yadav to Tim Seifert, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Mayank gets the reward for his disciplined bowling. Slams it really hard into the pitch, outside the off stump. Tim Seifert opens the body by clearing the front leg and tries to hammer it down the ground but the ball nips away, takes the feather off the outside edge and nestles into Sanju Samson's gloves behind the stumps. A huge breakthrough for the tourists and New Zealand are 49/1.
6 Over | Run: 49/1 | Run Rate: 9.80
04.54.5: Mayank Yadav to Tim Seifert, Swing and a miss! Hits the length hard, outside the off stump. Tim slashes hard to carve it over point but the ball kicks up and zips over the angled bat.
04.44.4: Mayank Yadav to Tim Seifert, Spears it full at 144 kph, outside the off stump. Tim Seifert shuffles outside off, and tries to play the scoop shot but he is purely beaten by the excessive pace. Good heat from Mayank.
14.34.3: Mayank Yadav to Finn Allen, Cannons it on a good length, on the leg stump, 139 kph. Finn Allen hops back to create room and knocks it to the mid on region for a single.
24.24.2: Mayank Yadav to Finn Allen, Short of a length, on top of off, Finn Allen controls the pull shot over mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
04.14.1: Mayank Yadav to Finn Allen, Starts with a full toss, on the leg stump, Finn Allen drives it to mid on. The replay shows that his bat actually twisted at the point of contact.
43.63.6: Arshdeep Singh to Tim Seifert, FOUR! Shot of the match so far! Pitched short by Singh, angling away, Tim Seifert stands tall and smashes it over the extra cover fielder for a cracking boundary. Attack from both ends now.
6 Over | Run: 46/0 | Run Rate: 11.50
13.53.5: Arshdeep Singh to Finn Allen, Too full and wide outside off, Finn Allen collapses his back knee a bit and carves it through cover-point for a single. They look for the second, but Seifert slips at the batting end, so they settle with just one in the end.
03.43.4: Arshdeep Singh to Finn Allen, Much better! Back to over the stumps and this is bashed hard on top of middle, Finn Allen watchfully stabs it back to the bowler.
43.33.3: Arshdeep Singh to Finn Allen, FOUR! A bit uppish, but through the gap! Singh comes from around the stumps and pushes it outside off, on a fuller length and it holds the line. Finn Allen leans on it and blasts it over and to the left of the diving Tilak Varma at extra cover for four more.
43.23.2: Arshdeep Singh to Finn Allen, FOUR! Off the edge! On a back of a length, swinging in, around off, Finn Allen hangs back and tries to slash it over point again, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball flies over the short third fielder for another boundary. It's raining fours at the moment and the momentum has flipped towards the hosts in a matter of just a few deliveries.
43.13.1: Arshdeep Singh to Finn Allen, FOUR! Oh, a loosener from Arshdeep and it gets the treatment! Slips in a full toss, far outside off, Finn Allen throws his bat at it and carves it over backward point for a boundary.
62.72.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert, SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! That's on the roof. Fuller than a length, on middle and leg, Tim Seifert picks the length early, clears his front leg away and smokes it over long on for a massive six. A huge over for the Kiwis, as 17 runs come from it.
7 Over | Run: 29/0 | Run Rate: 9.67
42.62.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert, FOUR! That's a shot of authority from Seifert! Kumar bangs it short and angles it in, Tim Seifert waits for it to arrive and nails the pull shot over mid-wicket. One bounce and into the fence. Well struck.
12.52.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Finn Allen, Keeps it tight on a good length, angled into the bodyline, Finn Allen hangs back and tucks it between mid-wicket and mid on for a single.
12.42.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert, Not all that short, outside off, Seifert dances down the track and smashes it down the ground but Shreyas Iyer flings himself to his right from mid off and saves a certain boundary there. Just one run.
02.32.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert, Swing and a miss! Good length, curving in a long way from outside off. Seifert clears the front leg, swings across the line and gets beaten.
42.22.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert, FOUR! Edgy, but will do! Bhuvneshwar goes for the yorker outside off, and gets a decent outswing. Tim Seifert throws his bat at it to access the off side, but gets a massive outside edge and it rifles between the keeper and short third for a boundary.
02.12.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert, Back of a length, shaping in and cramping the batter for room. Seifert looks to pull but fails to connect. Samson dives to his left and gathers it safely. But hang on! Bhuvi has overstepped here and it is a No Ball. Seifert will face the Free Hit.
01.61.6: Arshdeep Singh to Finn Allen, Swings away from off, on a fullish length. Allen walks a step forward, tries to drop and run to the off side, but ends up chopping it just past the off stump.
6 Over | Run: 12/0 | Run Rate: 6.00
11.51.5: Arshdeep Singh to Tim Seifert, Big booming inswing, almost a yorker at the toes. Tim Seifert backs away and jams it down to mid on for a nervy single. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has a shy at the bowling end but misses.
11.41.4: Arshdeep Singh to Finn Allen, Pulls his length back, and gets it to swing in on off, Allen hops on the toes and taps it between cover and point for a single.
41.31.3: Arshdeep Singh to Finn Allen, FOUR! A shot of high class and that's the first four of the series! A long half-volley by Arshdeep, around the off stump, swinging in. Finn Allen gets on the front foot and belts it to the right of the diving mid off fielder for a boundary.
11.21.2: Arshdeep Singh to Tim Seifert, Pitched full on leg, curving on middle, Seifert whips it to the left of deep square leg for a single.
11.11.1: Arshdeep Singh to Finn Allen, Shapes in on the pads, full in length, Allen strokes it down to long on for a single.
20.60.6: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert, Short of a length, outside the off stump. Tim Seifert rides the bounce and knocks it through the gap between cover and mid off for a couple of runs. An action-packed opening over, perfectly setting the tone.
6 Over | Run: 4/0 | Run Rate: 4.00
00.50.5: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert, An inswinging delivery, full in length, Seifert pushes it to extra cover.
10.40.4: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Finn Allen, Plenty of action already! Seifert survives by the skin of his teeth, but only after a nervy wait upstairs. Finn gets forward to a slightly full ball around off that curves away and dabs it to backward point for a single. Seifert hesitates, stops, then sets off and has to dive. Axar attacks the ball by running forward, with his left hand, fires in an underarm throw and finds the stumps at the striker’s end, so the umpire goes to the TV official. The replay is tight. The face of Seifert’s bat pops up as he slides in, but the shoulder is down and inside the line before the bails come off.
10.30.3: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert, Back of a length, around off, a hint of away shape. Seifert punches it hard to widish mid off for a single to get off the mark.
00.20.2: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert, Swing and a miss! This one shapes back in sharply with extra bounce on a length. Tim Seifert swings with all his might to pull it over the leg side, only to get beaten on the inside edge. There's a slight appeal from Kumar, but no one else appeals.
00.10.1: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Tim Seifert, Beaten! Bhuvi is on the money straightaway. Lovely seam presentation. On a length, closer to the off stump, with a good outswing. Seifert pokes at it a bit loosely and gets beaten on the outside edge.
India Second Innings
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Naman Dhir
Nitish Kumar Reddy
M Henry|3.4|0|57|0
619.419.4: Matt Henry to Naman Dhir, SIX! That's it. The tourists have done it. India win by 4 wickets and take an early 1-0 lead in the series. Banged in short on the stumps, angling into the body. Naman Dhir stands tall and swings hard across the line, looking to pull, but gets a thick top edge. To his fortune, the ball loops all the way over the deep fine leg fence for six. Dhir is all smiles as he stays unbeaten on a 15-ball 42.
119.319.3: Matt Henry to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Nervy! Half a chance for a run out, but missed. Another full toss, on off, Nitish drills it down the ground towards mid off and sets off for a single. Santner dives like he is plunging into a swimming pool, scooping the ball up and flicking an underarm throw towards the bowler's end. But the shy misses its mark, forcing Reddy to dive desperately to make his ground safely. 2 runs needed off 3 balls.
119.219.2: Matt Henry to Naman Dhir, Slightly short of a length, on top of middle, Dhir hangs back and jabs it with soft hands through square leg for a single. They think about the second but Milne is quick to sprint from short fine leg and dive to his left to prevent any other run.
419.119.1: Matt Henry to Naman Dhir, FOUR! Up and over! That should be the game for India now. Henry completely misses the yorker and gifts a low full toss on the stumps. Dhir stands deep in the crease and despite the bottom hand coming off the handle, he clears mid off for a boundary. 4 needed off 5.
118.618.6: Adam Milne to Naman Dhir, Spears it full on the off stump. Dhir opens his stance to go big, but cannot get underneath it and powers it down to long off for a single.
6 Over | Run: 218/6 | Run Rate: 11.47
218.518.5: Adam Milne to Naman Dhir, A wide yorker at 134 kph, outside the off stump. Dhir throws his bat at it and carves it wide of backward point. It slows down in the outfield and the sweeper cuts it off to his right. Two runs taken. 9 needed off 7. Big delivery coming up.
418.418.4: Adam Milne to Naman Dhir, FOUR! A gift and Dhir accepts it gleefully. Adam misses the yorker, bowls a low full toss outside off, Dhir stays compact in the crease with a stable base and powers it between mid off and extra cover for a boundary. 11 needed off 8 balls now.
118.318.3: Adam Milne to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Angled into the bodyline on a good length. Nitish swooshes it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
018.218.2: Adam Milne to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pinpoint yorker by Milne, on the leg stump. Nitish jams the bat down in time and squeezes it back to the bowler. A crucial dot ball for the hosts.
018.118.1: Adam Milne to Shreyas Iyer, OUT! CAUGHT BY THE SKIPPER! That's a fine catch diving forward under pressure by Santner. Back of a length, outside the off stump. It appears to be holding on the surface a bit and arrives a fraction late to the batter. Shreyas looks to loft it over cover, but cloths it to extra cover off the toe end. And we have another twist in the game as Iyer departs. India are 210/6, needing 16 runs from 11 balls.
417.617.6: Nathan Smith to Naman Dhir, FOUR! Off the outside edge but India will take it no matter how the runs come. Very full by Smith, outside off, Dhir attempts to smash that through covers, but gets a big outside edge. The ball goes flat and over the leaping short third fielder before speeding into the fence. Two massive overs for India, and they are in the driving seat now.
6 Over | Run: 210/5 | Run Rate: 11.67
417.517.5: Nathan Smith to Naman Dhir, FOUR! Gets it away! Slower and shorter by Smith, at shoulder height. Naman waits, and waits and waits for it to arrive before he unleashes the pull shot. Gets a bit of a top edge but clears short fine leg for a boundary.
117.417.4: Nathan Smith to Shreyas Iyer, It's really slippery out there because of the dew around. Smith first slips in a full toss on the body and Iyer powers it down the ground to the left of long on. Santner runs in off the ropes, but slips a bit when he tries to pick the ball and fumbles. Now, the batters look to steal the second run, but Shreyas slips at the non-striker's end after completing the first.
117.317.3: Nathan Smith to Naman Dhir, Takes all the pace off and bashes it on a length, 117 kph, on middle, Naman Dhir has to really drag it with the pull shot to deep square leg's left for a single.
117.217.2: Nathan Smith to Shreyas Iyer, Back of a length, 139 kph, around off, Iyer covers the stumps by moving to the off side and punches it crisply down to long off for a single. 200 up for India! They need 26 runs from 16 balls.
217.117.1: Nathan Smith to Shreyas Iyer, Short of a length, following the batter. Shreyas shuffles to the leg side and pulls it to the right of the long on fielder. Finn Allen runs across and fields it. Two runs taken.
116.716.6: Mitchell Santner to Shreyas Iyer, A wee bit short, outside the off stump. Iyer lets the ball dip and smashes it to widish long off for a single. 2/39 in 4 overs for Santner as he leaks 19 runs off his last over.
7 Over | Run: 197/5 | Run Rate: 11.59
416.616.5: Mitchell Santner to Shreyas Iyer, FOUR! Finds the gap expertly! A bit short and too wide outside off. Enough width for Iyer to work with and he hangs back before powerfully cutting it to the off side. Manages to bisect the cover-point and backward point fielders for a boundary. India need 30 runs from 19 balls now.
116.516.4: Mitchell Santner to Naman Dhir, Slows it up, full and outside off, Dhir reaches out in front and lofts it over extra cover for a single.
416.416.3: Mitchell Santner to Naman Dhir, FOUR! Another heroic effort, this time by Phillips, but it's another boundary. A length ball angled wide of off, and Dhir rocks back to cut it ferociously behind square on the off side. Glenn Phillips sprints to his left and dives at full stretch, but the ball touches the boundary cushions before Phillips flicks it away. The TV umpire checks the replay and confirms the boundary.
616.316.2: Mitchell Santner to Naman Dhir, SIX! Heart-in-mouth moment for Dhir. Excellent acrobatic effort by Smith but it goes in vain. Skidded in on a length at middle and leg, tempting the big swing. Dhir drops to one knee and heaves it towards deep mid-wicket, where Smith flings himself into the air to his left and gets both hands to it. But with the boundary right behind him, he cannot release the ball before tumbling over the rope, and that's a six.
016.216.2: Mitchell Santner to Naman Dhir, WIDE! Fired beyond the tramline, outside off. Let through by Dhir.
216.116.1: Mitchell Santner to Naman Dhir, Great work in the deep by Finn! Short of a length, outside off, Dhir stands tall and muscles it over wide mid off. Allen runs across from long off and slips due to the greasy outfield, but manages to save a couple of runs.
015.715.6: Nathan Smith to Shreyas Iyer, A lethal response by Smith. He nails in the yorker at the base of the leg stump. Iyer's head falls over as he tries to shovel it out but misses and it crashes into the leg stump. But it's a Free Hit so it won't count.
7 Over | Run: 178/5 | Run Rate: 11.13
015.615.6: Nathan Smith to Shreyas Iyer, NO BALL! Oh, no! That's a vicious beamer by Smith. He slips in a full toss at chest height, on the bodyline. Iyer is cramped for room as he looks to pull and takes a blow on his gloves as the ball rolls to square leg. Iyer is wincing in pain, and Smith apologises straightaway. 
015.515.5: Nathan Smith to Shreyas Iyer, A bit too full and straight, on leg. Iyer backs away, exposes the stumps to smash it through cover, but ends up hitting it straight to the fielder. Shows a bit of frustration, does Iyer.
215.415.4: Nathan Smith to Shreyas Iyer, Short of a length, slower one at 118 kph, Iyer controls the pull shot through mid-wicket and they hustle back for the second run.
115.315.3: Nathan Smith to Naman Dhir, Back of a length, outside off, Dhir tries to hit it straight, but gets it sliced aerially off the outside edge towards deep third. It goes on the bounce to Ferguson at deep third for a single.
115.215.2: Nathan Smith to Shreyas Iyer, Nips in from a length, on the stumps, Iyer tries to pull but the ball skids, takes the inside edge and rolls to deep square leg for a single.
215.115.1: Nathan Smith to Shreyas Iyer, Spears it full and on the pads, Shreyas flicks it to deep mid-wicket. Glenn Phillips dashes to his left and makes a fine stop, keeping it down to two runs.
114.714.6: Lockie Ferguson to Shreyas Iyer, DROPPED! Finn Allen is the guilty party. Shreyas Iyer had his heart in his mouth for a moment there. Ferguson bangs it in short, on off. Iyer stands tall and tries to drag the pull in front of square on the leg side. Hits it flat towards long on, where Allen comes in off the ropes and slides to take the catch. It clips his fingertips and drops to the ground. Two runs taken. How costly will this prove to be?
7 Over | Run: 171/5 | Run Rate: 11.40
214.614.5: Lockie Ferguson to Shreyas Iyer, At 139 kph, on a hard length, on off. Iyer shuffles across the stumps. He is tucked up for room but still manages to run it down to the left of deep third for a brace.
114.514.4: Lockie Ferguson to Naman Dhir, Outside off, on a back of a length. Dhir punches it to deep cover for a single.
014.414.3: Lockie Ferguson to Axar Patel, OUT! CAUGHT! A timely breakthrough for New Zealand. Ferguson hits the hard length and cramps the left-hander for room. Axar tries to tug it away in front of square on the leg side but cannot free his arms in the desired fashion. Spoons it tamely off the upper half of the blade. It balloons towards mid-wicket, where the sub fielder, Devon Conway dives in front and takes a good catch. India are 167/5, needing 59 runs off 33 balls.
014.314.2: Lockie Ferguson to Axar Patel, Half a shout for caught behind. Lockie Ferguson seems to have heard something, but Tim Seifert does not go up. Pace off, on a back of a length, on middle. Axar rises up on his toes and tries to glide it down to deep third but misses. 
014.214.2: Lockie Ferguson to Axar Patel, Wide! Down leg, on a back of a length. Patel misses out on the glance.
014.114.1: Lockie Ferguson to Axar Patel, Angled away, on a good length. Axar extends his hands and drives it to extra cover.
613.613.6: Matt Henry to Shreyas Iyer, SIX! Beautifully picked up. 20 runs off the over, a much-needed one for India. Fractionally short, on middle and leg. Iyer hops back and gets inside the line of the ball. Shovels it off the pads and gets enough bat on it to clear the fielder at deep backward square leg.
6 Over | Run: 166/4 | Run Rate: 11.86
113.513.5: Matt Henry to Axar Patel, TOUGH CHANCE! Angled away, on a back of a length, on off. Patel spanks it back towards the bowler. Henry sticks out his right hand but the ball does not stick in his grasp. The ball trickles past the stumps as the batters cross over. 
413.413.4: Matt Henry to Axar Patel, FOUR! Smart batting. Angled away, on a good length. Patel walks across the stumps and sets up for the scoop. He uses the pace and gets it fine of the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.
113.313.3: Matt Henry to Shreyas Iyer, Tucking the batter up for room, on a back of a length. Iyer knocks it through mid on for a single.
213.213.2: Matt Henry to Shreyas Iyer, The length is dragged back, at the hips. Iyer tucks it with soft hands in the vacant square leg region. By the time any of the deep fielders can get in, Shreyas is back for the second.
613.113.1: Matt Henry to Shreyas Iyer, SIX! Nicely done. Henry begins with a full ball, on off. Iyer presents the full face of the blade and leans into the lofted stroke with the man up at mid off. He does not try to overhit this one and just times it. Clears the long off fence for a six.
412.612.6: Lockie Ferguson to Axar Patel, FOUR! Insult to injury! On a hard length, on off. Patel presses up on his toes, gets his hands high and slaps it to the left of deep point for a boundary. 80 runs needed off 42 balls.
6 Over | Run: 146/4 | Run Rate: 11.23
212.512.5: Lockie Ferguson to Axar Patel, PUT DOWN! And to make matters worse, Mitchell Santner seems to have injured himself as well. Angled away, on a length. Patel shimmies down the track and looks to go down the ground. Slices it a long way up over mid off. Santner backpedals but gets into a bit of a tangle and at the last moment, he tries to take the catch over his head but can't cling on and ends up landing hard on the ground. His neck gets jarred in the process.
012.412.4: Lockie Ferguson to Axar Patel, A swing and a miss! Banged in short, over middle. Patel gives the bowler a premeditated charge and has a swoosh at it but fails to connect.
012.312.3: Lockie Ferguson to Axar Patel, At the hips, Axar nudges it to mid-wicket.
112.212.2: Lockie Ferguson to Shreyas Iyer, Hurls it on a good length, on off. Iyer stands tall on top of the bounce and punches it wide of extra cover, where the fielder slides to his left to make the stop.
012.112.1: Lockie Ferguson to Shreyas Iyer, Ferguson pitches it up, on off. Iyer firms the drive down the deck with a straight bat. A sharp, low stop to his left by Ferguson.
611.611.6: Michael Bracewell to Axar Patel, SIX! Well struck! Bracewell gives a bit of air and ends up being a bit too full, on middle. Axar clears the front leg, puts his head down and swings through the line. Smacks it to the right of the long on fielder for a flat six. 87 needed off 48 balls.
6 Over | Run: 139/4 | Run Rate: 11.58
111.511.5: Michael Bracewell to Shreyas Iyer, Turning back in at the hips, fractionally short. Iyer nurdles it behind square leg for the 5th single of the over.
111.411.4: Michael Bracewell to Axar Patel, Bowls it flat and on a nagging length, on middle. Axar nudges it in front of square on the leg side for another single.
111.311.3: Michael Bracewell to Shreyas Iyer, Pushed through, full and on middle. Iyer eases it to long on and rotates the strike.
111.211.2: Michael Bracewell to Axar Patel, At the hips, Patel goes back in the crease and flicks it away through square leg for a single.
111.111.1: Michael Bracewell to Shreyas Iyer, Flat and short, around the hips. Iyer shovels it away off the pads but picks out short fine leg. Axar calls him through for a quick single.
410.610.6: Mitchell Santner to Axar Patel, FOUR! In the gap. Angled in at the pads, full in length. Axar crouches and heaves it away. Gets it wide enough of Glenn Phillips in the deep to his left for a boundary.
6 Over | Run: 128/4 | Run Rate: 11.64
110.510.5: Mitchell Santner to Shreyas Iyer, Full and on off. Iyer knocks it to long off for a single.
110.410.4: Mitchell Santner to Axar Patel, Fires it in full again, on middle. Axar smears it away towards mid-wicket for one.
010.310.3: Mitchell Santner to Ishan Kishan, OUT! CAUGHT! High but nowhere close to being long enough. Mitchell Santner strikes in successive overs. Flighted up, on middle. Kishan gets down on a knee for the slog sweep but gets it right off the bottom part of the bat. Skies it a long way up between deep mid-wicket and long on and it is an 85-metre hit in that region. Finn Allen charges across to his left from long on and slides to complete a safe catch. India are coming unstuck after a fiery start.
110.210.2: Mitchell Santner to Shreyas Iyer, Fuller and speared in at the sticks. Iyer pushes it to deep cover for a run.
210.110.1: Mitchell Santner to Shreyas Iyer, Darted in, on a length, around the off stump. Iyer walks across the stumps and scoops it past short fine leg for a couple of runs.
19.69.6: Michael Bracewell to Shreyas Iyer, Shortish delivery again, on off, Iyer rocks back and slaps it through mid off for a single. At the halfway stage of the chase, India are 119/3, needing 107 runs from 60 balls.
6 Over | Run: 119/3 | Run Rate: 11.90
19.59.5: Michael Bracewell to Ishan Kishan, Dropped short and drifted on the leg stump, Ishan presses back and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.
09.49.4: Michael Bracewell to Ishan Kishan, Slower through the air, at just 82 kph. Full on the stumps, Ishan leans on and pushes it back to Michael.
09.39.3: Michael Bracewell to Tilak Varma, OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! Tilak's struggles come to an end and the Kiwi spin duo are really tightening the noose here. Tossed up on a length outside leg, inviting the big shot. Tilak charges down the track and attempts to clear long on, but fails to get to the pitch of the delivery and has to reach for it in front of him. No power or timing on the shot, and he ends up dragging it off the toe end of the bat, offering Lockie Ferguson a straightforward catch at deep mid-wicket. Wicket number 2 for Bracewell and the hosts are delighted. India slip to 117/3, needing 109 runs from 63 balls.
19.29.2: Michael Bracewell to Shreyas Iyer, Short on leg, Shreyas hangs back and chips it towards long on for a single.
19.19.1: Michael Bracewell to Tilak Varma, Fired on a fuller length, on leg, Varma tries the reverse sweep. But the ball pops up, takes the glove and deflects on the helmet before running to the third man region. A single.
08.68.6: Mitchell Santner to Sanju Samson, OUT! CHOPPED ON! Who else but Santner? Not a wicket-taking delivery by any means, by the way. It is short and wide outside off. Sanju Samson backs away a bit to play the cut shot but the ball holds on the surface and arrives a tad late. He swings his bat hard at it, but ends up inside edging it onto the off stump. Samson falls after an entertaining knock and India are 115/2, needing 111 runs.
6 Over | Run: 115/2 | Run Rate: 12.78
28.58.5: Mitchell Santner to Sanju Samson, Fractionally full and around off, Sanju punches it on the up to deep extra cover. He calls it for two and they will easily get it. Good running between the wickets.
18.48.4: Mitchell Santner to Tilak Varma, Keeps attacking the leg stump, does Santner, on a fullish length. Tilak Varma uses his wrists and steers it behind square leg for a single. India are 113/1 and they need another 113 runs to win.
08.38.3: Mitchell Santner to Tilak Varma, Quicker and shorter, on leg, Tilak gets a bit rushed up and whips it to short fine leg. More off the inside half of the bat.
08.28.2: Mitchell Santner to Tilak Varma, Seeing Varma move to the leg side, Santner cunningly fires one outside leg, too full. Tilak is cramped for room and can only ease it back to the bowler.
08.18.1: Mitchell Santner to Tilak Varma, Darted in at 93 kph, full on leg, Tilak tickles it to short fine leg, but straight to the fielder.
17.67.6: Michael Bracewell to Tilak Varma, Tad short, sliding onto the pads, Varma goes deep in the crease and steers it through mid-wicket for a single.
6 Over | Run: 112/1 | Run Rate: 14.00
17.57.5: Michael Bracewell to Sanju Samson, Had to really hurry there! Pushed through, full and around off, Sanju pushes it wide of extra cover and calls Tilak for a single. The fielder is quick to pick and throw in motion, but misses his shy at the batting end. Varma was well in, even if the throw was on target.
17.47.4: Michael Bracewell to Tilak Varma, Dips on the batter, short outside off, Tilak hangs back and slashes it to deep cover-point for a single.
07.37.3: Michael Bracewell to Tilak Varma, Slows it through the air, fullish on the leg stump, sliding down. Tilak looks to whip it to the leg side but the ball rolls off the leading edge, back to the bowler.
17.27.2: Michael Bracewell to Sanju Samson, A wee bit short and outside off, Samson cuts it to deep backward point for a single.
67.17.1: Michael Bracewell to Sanju Samson, SIX! Samson is on a roll in Christchurch! Lands it full, on the leg stump. Samson stays leg side of the ball, takes the front foot out and bludgeons it over the long off fence for a six.
16.66.6: Mitchell Santner to Sanju Samson, A bit full and on off, Samson presents the full face of his bat and drives it along the ground. One run at long off. Just 8 from Santner's first.
6 Over | Run: 102/1 | Run Rate: 14.57
46.56.5: Mitchell Santner to Sanju Samson, FOUR! A bit edgy, but in the gap! Shortish delivery, outside off, Sanju stays deep inside the crease and creates room. Cuts it uppishly off the outside edge, but it shoots between short third and backward point for a boundary. That brings up the 100 for India. They need 125 runs from 79 balls.
26.46.4: Mitchell Santner to Sanju Samson, Drops it short and outside off, Samson rocks back and smashes it to the right of the cover fielder. The man there dives and gets a hand on it, but parries it to the left of long off. Bevon Jacobs cuts it off in the deep. Two runs taken.
06.36.3: Mitchell Santner to Sanju Samson, Pitched full and outside off, Sanju pushes it to short cover.
06.26.2: Mitchell Santner to Sanju Samson,That's a brilliant piece of fielding by Santner himself! He pushes it onto the pads, full and from around the stumps. Sanju drives it to the right of the bowler and Santner dives on his follow-through to save a few runs for sure.
16.16.1: Mitchell Santner to Tilak Varma, Begins with a length ball, on the pads, sliding down further. Varma hangs back and turns it through backward square leg for a single.
15.65.6: Michael Bracewell to Tilak Varma, Slides into the batter, full on middle, Varma presses forward to push it to the off side but the ball squirts off the inside edge towards mid-wicket for a single. India dominate the Powerplay with 94/1 on the board.
6 Over | Run: 94/1 | Run Rate: 15.67
05.55.5: Michael Bracewell to Abhishek Sharma, OUT! TAKEN! At long last, some relief for New Zealand. They needed that wicket badly. Michael lands it around the off stump and it spins and bounces off the track. Abhishek Sharma exposes the stumps by shuffling to the leg side and tries to cut it powerfully over point, but ends up slicing it off the outer portion of his willow. Adam Milne at short third takes a sharp catch with a reverse cup and India are 93/1, needing 133 runs in 85 balls.
15.45.4: Michael Bracewell to Sanju Samson, FIFTY FOR SAMSON! Brilliant batting display so far and he gets to his milestone off just 23 balls. That's his 11th T20I half-century and he continues his rich vein of form in the shortest format. From around the stump, this is pitched full on leg, Samson works it down to long on for an easy single.
45.35.3: Michael Bracewell to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Up and over and Samson gallops to 49! Around off and middle with the length pulled back by Bracewell. Sanju backs away, makes room and thumps it over the mid off fielder for a boundary.
65.25.2: Michael Bracewell to Sanju Samson, SIX! That's disappeared! Juicy half-volley, on middle and leg. Easy pickings for Samson. He clears his front leg and absolutely smokes it over long on for a massive six. Insane ball striking by these two.
05.15.1: Michael Bracewell to Sanju Samson, Starts with a short ball, outside off, Samson backs away and punches it on the bounce to mid off.
24.74.6: Matt Henry to Abhishek Sharma, In the air...but lands safely. Henry lands it full, on middle. Sharma holds his shape, presents a straight bat and just swings through the line. He does not quite get hold of it but it drops safely down the ground before mid on or mid off can get there. Two runs taken.
7 Over | Run: 82/0 | Run Rate: 16.40
04.64.5: Matt Henry to Abhishek Sharma, Spears in the yorker, on off. Sharma squeezes it out to extra cover.
04.54.5: Matt Henry to Abhishek Sharma, Wide! A slower bumper, over off. Sharma arches back and tries to play the upper cut over the keeper but does not connect. Too high for the umpire's liking.
14.44.4: Matt Henry to Sanju Samson, At pace, on a good length, on middle. Samson has a swing at it. Shanks it off the inner half towards mid on for a single.
04.34.3: Matt Henry to Sanju Samson, Cramping the batter for room, on a back of a length. Sanju mistimes the pull towards mid-wicket.
64.24.2: Matt Henry to Sanju Samson, SIX! How did that go all the way? That looked like a mishit by Samson. Slower one, on a nagging length, on middle. Sanju is not to the pitch of the ball but still swings through the line. Skies it off the bottom half of the bat but has enough on it to clear the long on fence.
44.14.1: Matt Henry to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Nearly went the distance. Henry steams in from over the wicket and dishes out the short ball, on middle and leg. Samson stands tall and unleashes the pull. Hits it flat and to the left of the deep square leg fielder. One bounce and over the ropes.
63.83.6: Adam Milne to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! This is even bigger. Hit with absolute authority. Milne hits the back of a length at pace this time, but once again, he fails to get it high enough to trouble the batter. Sharma sets himself up in the crease and dispatches the pull way beyond the deep mid-wicket fence. 26 runs off the over as the onslaught continues. Among all those present on the grass bank, a man takes the catch, and his joy knows no bounds.
8 Over | Run: 68/0 | Run Rate: 17.00
63.73.5: Adam Milne to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! That sounded so sweet. Slower one by Milne, bowled into the deck, on off. This sits up to be hit around the waist, and Sharma pulls it over square leg for half a dozen. 20 runs so far with one ball left in the over.
03.63.5: Adam Milne to Abhishek Sharma, Wide! Banged in short, outside off. Sharma lets it go. Wide given for height.
43.53.4: Adam Milne to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Another teaser for Tim Seifert as the boundaries keep flowing. Milne delivers it full, angled away. Abhishek gives the bowler a premeditated charge and ends up getting too close to the ball. He hurriedly gets his bat down to squeeze it out. It flies past the leaping attempt of Tim Seifert to his left and races away.
03.43.3: Adam Milne to Abhishek Sharma, Swinging back in, full and at the sticks. Abhishek clears the front leg and smears it away but it goes straight to the mid-wicket fielder.
03.33.2: Adam Milne to Abhishek Sharma, This goes away from the left-hander and the length is pulled back. Sharma pushes away from his body and is beaten on the outside edge.
03.23.2: Adam Milne to Abhishek Sharma, FIVE WIDES! Oh, dear. New Zealand are leaking runs far too easily. Milne gets the ball to shape back in but he starts too straight and it goes further down leg. Sharma tries to pick it up off the pads but fails to connect and Tim Seifert is beaten to his right despite the dive. The 50 comes up for India in 3.2 overs.
43.13.1: Adam Milne to Abhishek Sharma, FOUR! Abhishek flashes and flashes hard. Leaving the left-hander, on a short of a good length. Sharma throws his hands at the ball. There is no one at slip and the outside edge flies past Tim Seifert, who flies to his left but stands no chance.
02.82.6: Lockie Ferguson to Sanju Samson, A dot to end the over. Pace off, on a back of a length, on middle. Samson plays all around it and wears it on the body. 22 runs off the over and India are off to a flying start.
8 Over | Run: 42/0 | Run Rate: 14.00
02.72.6: Lockie Ferguson to Sanju Samson, FIVE WIDES! It is going from bad to worse for Lockie Ferguson. 22 runs off the over with a ball still to go. Ferguson spots Samson backing away and he follows him with a hard-length delivery. It keeps going further down leg as Sanju swings and misses. Tim Seifert dives to his left, but the ball stays out of his reach and goes into the fence.
42.62.5: Lockie Ferguson to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough. Ferguson sticks to the full length but this is a bit too full, on off. Samson is able to get under the ball and lofts it downtown. Hits it away from the reach of Mitchell Santner at mid off and picks up another boundary.
62.52.4: Lockie Ferguson to Sanju Samson, SIX! All the way. Hooping back in, on the fuller side, on middle and leg. Right in the hitting arc and Samson puts his head before mowing it over the wide long on fence for a six.
42.42.3: Lockie Ferguson to Sanju Samson, FOUR! A comical error in the field. Lockie pushes the length up, on off. Samson gets his hands through the line and has a swing at it. He does not quite get hold of it but manages to clear extra cover. Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner give chase but there is no communication between them. Both put in a slide and get in the way of each other. Neither is able to lay a hand on the ball as it trickles into the boundary cushions.
12.32.2: Lockie Ferguson to Abhishek Sharma, Hits the back of a length, outside off. Sharma glides it behind point with an open bat face for a single.
02.22.1: Lockie Ferguson to Abhishek Sharma, Moving away in the air, flirting with the tramline. Abhishek shoulders arms. He is perplexed that it is not called a wide.
02.12.1: Lockie Ferguson to Sanju Samson, TWO WIDES! Prodigious movement but no control. Ferguson gets the ball to shape back in but it goes down leg. Samson fails to lay any bat on the tickle. Tim Seifert flings himself to his left and gets a glove on it. It dribbles wide of short fine leg, before it is mopped up. They cross.
11.61.6: Adam Milne to Sanju Samson, Nearly dragged it back onto the stumps. In and around the off stump, on a good length. Sanju stays leg side of the ball and tries to run it down to deep third. Chops it down just past the off stump before Abhishek calls him through for a quick single. Milne goes for 9 runs in his first over in his comeback game. India need 206 runs in 108 balls.
6 Over | Run: 20/0 | Run Rate: 10.00
01.51.5: Adam Milne to Sanju Samson, Milne pitches it up and gets the ball to swing away. Samson leans into the stroke and angles the drive to the man at backward point, who is in really tight.
01.41.4: Adam Milne to Sanju Samson, A big swing and a miss! Milne bashes the hard length, tucking the batter up for room. Samson moves towards the leg side and has a heave across the line but only connects with thin air.
41.31.3: Adam Milne to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Helped away. Perhaps expecting the short ball, Samson backs away. Milne responds by following him with a length delivery. Sanju uses the pace and the angle of the ball to glance it down to the vacant deep fine leg fence.
41.21.2: Adam Milne to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Enough bat on it to find the fence. Slanting back in, on a length, on middle and leg. Samson presents the full face of the bat and launches it over mid on. The ball drops just in front of the boundary cushions before trickling beyond.
01.11.1: Adam Milne to Sanju Samson, Lovely shape first up for Milne. It won't be there for long, as we saw when India bowled. Starts full and it curves away from the right-hander. Sanju fishes at the ball away from his body and is beaten past the outside edge.
60.60.6: Matt Henry to Abhishek Sharma, SIX! Up, up and away! Henry pushes it across the left-hander, more on the fuller side. Bread-and-butter stuff for Sharma, who feasts on the width. He frees his arms and carves it over cover for half a dozen.
6 Over | Run: 11/0 | Run Rate: 11.00
10.50.5: Matt Henry to Sanju Samson, Hits the back of a length, on off, nipping back in, on off. Sanju looks to keep it out off the back foot. Ekes out an inside edge onto the thigh pad. A single is taken as the ball drops on the off side.
00.40.4: Matt Henry to Sanju Samson, Wowza! That is an absolute seed by Henry. Nip-backer on a good length, on middle. Samson does not move his feet at all and has a tentative prod at the ball. The ball jags back a long way to cut Samson in half. It sneaks past the inside edge and luckily for him, the bounce takes the ball over the stumps. Tim Seifert flings himself to his left to catch the ball.
40.30.3: Matt Henry to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Samson and India are on their way. Henry goes into the deck, on off. Samson picks up the length early and hangs back in the crease. He swings across for the pull and even though the bat turns in his hand, he gets it well to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.
00.20.2: Matt Henry to Sanju Samson, Drags the length back, on top of off. Samson presses back in the crease, rides the bounce and glides it down to short third with an open bat face.
00.10.1: Matt Henry to Sanju Samson, Goes past the bat! A little bit of an away shape, on a good length, in the channel. Samson takes a step down the track and has a fiddle at the ball. Gets beaten on the outside edge.