Ind vs NZ
Cricket

India crush New Zealand by 65 runs in 2nd T20I, Suryakumar Yadav hits century

Suryakumar Yadav’s spectacular hundred helped India outperform New Zealand by 65 runs in the second T20 here on Sunday, demonstrating their unrivalled mastery in the shortest format. India reached 191 for six after Surya’s spectacular 111 not out off 51 balls, his second T20 century. He scored a superb exhibition of orthodox and improvised ball-striking with seven sixes and eleven fours and he had a remarkable 217.64 strike rate, solidifying his position as the top T20 hitter in the world.

On Sunday, November 20, the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui hosted the second Twenty20 International in the three-match series between the India National Cricket Team, captained by Hardik Pandya, and the New Zealand National Cricket Team, captained by Kane Williamson. Incidentally, the first T20I match of the series was called off by rain on Friday, November 18 at the Sky Stadium in Wellington without a ball being played.

In only 32 balls, Suryakumar achieved his first 50, then in just 17 more, he added his second, completely dismantling the New Zealand attack at the Bay Oval. Tim Southee’s last-over hat-trick, the fourth by a New Zealander and his second in T20 internationals, provided some solace for New Zealand. With the third, fourth, and fifth balls of the last over, Southee removed Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda, and Washington Sundar, leaving Suryakumar stuck at the non-end striker’s and keeping India under 200.

The hosts continued dropping wickets in the run chase and never seemed like they were in it. New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 126 in 18.5 overs.

At the outset of the chase, New Zealand suffered a setback when the dangerous Finn Allen attempted for a sweeping drive off a Bhuvneshwar Kumar outswinger, only to be caught at third man. Opener Devon Conway (25 off 22) and skipper Kane Williamson (61 off 52) combined for a 56-run outing but were unable to locate the big hits required to stay up with the asking rate.

Conway was trapped at deep backward square leg while attempting to sweep Washington Sundar. Glenn Phillips had to do something exceptional to get New Zealand back into the game. He made his intentions apparent with a brilliant slog sweep from Yuzvendra Chahal that went all the way, but the identical stroke contributed to his demise two balls later. The game was all but lost as New Zealand struggled to 89 for five in the 14th over.

The Kiwis bowed to the strain and lost early wickets while chasing a 192-run goal. Except for skipper Kane Williamson (61), none of New Zealand’s batsmen scored more than 50 runs. They were defeated by a score of 65 runs.

India now has a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The third T20I will be contested on November 22nd.

Indian Winning captain Hardik Pandya: “Complete performance, absolutely can’t get better than us. Suryakumar put us 30 runs forward. After that the bowlers were very clinical. Being aggressive does not mean you take every ball on, its about body language. Looking at all those, we ticked all those boxes, especially with the water due to the rain. It was quite difficult to bowl but they stuck to their plans. Sixth bowler, absolutely. I have bowled lots of times but going forward I want a number of more bowling opportunities. Not always that bowlers will have their day but if you give them game time, it could’ve gone another way also. But today the sixth bowler Deepak stopped the runs and those two overs changed the game and put them under pressure. I expect them to be professional, that they are. Just give them the opportunity to give them support. People were backing each other, that’s what I am looking for. Don’t know, we’ll see the wicket. I’d love to give everyone an opportunity but we’ll ask the bowlers if they need rest, we’ll see at the ground.”

Suryakumar Yadav is the Player of the Match: “The plan was clear when we came to bat. The plan was for me to bat till the end to reach par score of 170. Secret I feel for such kind of format you have to have good intent irrespective of situation. Great feeling coming here and having a full game irrespective of the conditions.”

Losing NZ captain Williamson: “It was not our best effort, have to say that. That was one of the best knocks I have ever seen. Some of those shots I have never seen. That was next level. They were outstanding and we weren’t up to the task. It was frustrating but keeps pointing back to Suryakumar and the way he went about. It was frustrating that we kept losing wickets. T20 can be like that sometimes.”

FINAL SCORES

  • India: 191/6 in 20 overs [Suryakumar Yadav 111 not out, Tim Southee 3/34]
  • New Zealand: 126 all out in 18.5 overs [Kane Williamson 6, Deepak Hooda 4/10]
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