IND VS NZ, 3rd T20 highlights: Match abandoned, India win series
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Heavy rain and subsequent impact on pitch has hampered the game. The match has been declared abandoned. Both teams are at par DLS score.
The 3rd T20 between India and New Zealand has been declared abandoned by the umpires. Both teams were at par DLS score. India was 75/4 when the rain interrupted the play.
India and New Zealand are two formidable T20 teams in the world, and both of them were looking forward to this series as it would give them a sneak peek into the other team's preparations for the 50 over World Cup scheduled to take place later this year. In this three match series, the first game was washed away due to rain. India won the second match quite comprehensively. Now, New zealand would look to level the series. Both the teams were the semifinalists in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, and looked in good touch. India have some good things in its favour. For example, its lead batsman Suryakumar Yadav is in sublime form and has been scoring runs on every ground. He scored a fantastic century in the last game against New Zealand.
The Indian bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh have also been proving their worth, and they can be lethal if there is any assistance from the pitch. Usually in New Zealand, the team bowling first gets some swing in the beginning and the pitch starts playing flat as the game progresses. The Indian bowling unit is well equipped to exploit even slightly favourable conditions.
On the other hand, New Zealand would like to have some early advantages and if their bowlers can get through the Indian openers they may stop India well before the 170-run mark.
This game is also going to be a test for the Indian middle order which is heavily dependent on Suryakumar Yadav.
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Heavy rain and subsequent impact on pitch has hampered the game. The match has been declared abandoned. Both teams are at par DLS score.
It's a disappointing end to an exciting series. The third T20 has been declared abandoned. Interestingly both teams were at the same DLS score when rain stopped the game. However, India win the series 1-0. The first match of the series was also washed out. India won the second game.
The umpires are out there at the ground to assess the situation. The match has been declared abandoned.
The game can totally change its flavour once it resumes. Interruption due to rain can cause difficulty for the batting team.
Bad weather has once again interrupted the game, but DLS says both teams are at par score.
A little drizzle has brought the game to a halt. Interestingly, at this juncture, both teams are at the same milestone as per the DLS method. India are at 75/4 after 9 overs.
India need 92 runs in 72 balls from here. With six wickets in hand, it doen't look like a daunting task as of now, but a lot depends on Hardik Pandya.
Suryakumar Yadav misjudged an Ish Sodhi ball and got caught at square leg. India now 60/4.
It's all about timing for Suryakumar Yadav. His effortless six over Lockie Ferguson shows the kind of form he is in. India at 58/3 in 5.5 overs.
After losing three wickets, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav are rebuilding the innings. Pandya is very attacking at this moment and has scored 21 off 7 balls.
Suryakumar Yadav would be looking to build the Indian innings. He has come on ground after Ishan Kishan's dismissal. India 21/1 after 2.3 overs.
Ishan Kishan and Rishabh Pant have started the chase for India. After first over, India are 6/0.
Harshal Patel delivered the final over. New Zealand finishes 160. Will it be easy for India while chasing?
NZ are making a fool of themselves in this match. They have lost six wickets for three runs. NZ is now 149 for 9 in 18.3 overs.
NZ suddenly lost their way in the gam. They have now lost 7 wickets for 149 in 18.1 overs.
Siraj has taken 4 wickets in four overs. He has conceeded 17 runs.
New Zealand have lost three wickets in quick succession. The latest to depart was Jimmy Neesham. NZ at 149/5 in 17.3 overs.
Daryl Mitchell has started playing free hits from the very beginning. His foremost plan would be to take the team score beyond 180.
New Zealand would be looking for something in the excess of 180 with two set batsmen out in the middle. Siraj is delivering some good balls. NZ at 129/2 after 15.3 overs.
Glenn Phillips completes his fifty in 31 balls. He just hit Harshal Patel for a SIX. It seems he is not done yet.
No Indian bowler is looking impressive today. The Kiwi batsmen are easily reaching to the loop end of the balls and hitting boundaries at will. Newzealand seems all set for a big score now. They are 105/2 in 13 overs.
No Indian bowler is looking impressive today. The Kiwi batsmen are easily reaching to the loop end of the balls and hitting boundaries at will. Newzealand seems all set for a big score now. They are 105/2 in 13 overs.
With the New Zealand batsmen going aggressive, Hardik will be pleased with the way the game has developed so far, but wickets will be essential, and Chahal will play a significant part.
NZ 82/2 (11)
Expensive over from Chahal. Dropped short and at the stumps, Phillips rocks back and pulls over square leg for a boundary.
NZ 74/2 (10)
Harshal Patel bowls too straight as it angles onto the pads and Phillips pushes it to the fine leg boundary.
NZ 61/2 (9)
Chahal to Conway, FOUR, full-toss from leggie and Conway hammers the shot wide of mid-wicket, races away across the fast outfield.
NZ 55/2 (8)
Deepak Hooda comes into the attack. Just three runs from the over as he kept his line tight not allowing batsman to go for a maximum.
NZ 49/2 (7)
Mohammad Siraj has taken a wicket on his second ball after being introduced to the attack, and it is the dangerous Chapman who walks back. Chapman looked to play it on the on-side but closed the bat a little too early as the ball took a leading edge.
NZ 46/2 (6)
SIX! Conway moves half-forward, slightly inside the line, and then flicks the ball over mid-wicket, short square boundaries, and the ball goes over the ropes for a maximum.
NZ 44/1 (5)
19 runs from the over. Conway leans forward, showing the entire face of the bat, a high elbow, and a straight bat as he lifts it back over the bowler's head, a couple of bounces, and over the ropes.
NZ 30/1 (4)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Conway, no run, short of a good length and shaping away from the outside off, beats him on the outside edge.
NZ 11/1 (3)
Allen was deep in the crease as he attempted to whip but was beaten on the inside edge, and the ball smacked into his back-pad, in front of his middle and leg.
NZ 9/1 (2)
Arshdeep strikes for India, NZ lose their first wicket as Finn Allen departs at 3
NZ 9/1 (1.3)
Good start by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Just four runs from the over
NZ 4/0 (1)
After a short delay, the players are out in the middle. Hopefully no further delays.
The groundsmen have removed almost all of the coverings, and we are ready for the game to begin.
Hide and seek game continues in Napier as rain has stopped and the covers are being removed once again.
The drizzle has returned, and the pitch and square have been covered.
India have retained the same tam except Harshal Patel who has replaced Shardul Thakur.
New Zealand's captain Tim Southee won the toss and decided to bat first. Indian bowling unit gets ready to swing the ball both ways. Will the Napier weather be helpful?
The match is going to start at 12:30PM IST with no overs cut. The pitch looks in good condition and it may turn out to be a high scoring game.
The covers are off the ground now and everyone is expecting the umpires to soon take a look at the pitch. Toss is likely to happen soon.
Though it's debatable how much time professional cricketers would get to visit the picturesque locations they travel to, but still it's a blessing.
Once again rain is there to play the spoilsport. The toss has been delayed due to rain in Napier.
Suryakumar Yadav has slowly replaced Virat Kohli as the most dependable match-winner for India. He can hit big shots from the word go and that changes the entire flavour of the game. His aggression is very calculated and his understanding of proper cricketing shots add a lot of depth to the team's batting. So far, off side off stump balls haven't been causing him much difficulties, but will New Zealand bowlers not be coming with fresh feet and approach in the series decider?
Given the kind of form Suryakumar Yadav is in, the prime task of the New Zealand bowlers would be to stop him from going all guns. If he stays on the crease for more than 15 balls, he can totally change the colour of the game. Even in the last match, he took only 19 balls to score 62 after completing his half century. His fearless batting and 360-degree approach must be giving Kiwi bowlers a lot to think about.
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Squads
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee(c), Lockie Ferguson, Michael Bracewell, Blair Tickner
India: Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya(c), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel, Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill, Umran Malik