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SpORTS NOVEMBER 26, 2021 | The Indian Eye 44

New ZealaNd iN iNdia

men in blue clinch t20I series 2-0 but

challenges remain for team and coach

Rahul Dravid’s coaching stint got off to a winning start as Rohit Sharma-led India defeated
New Zealand by five wickets in the first T20I
harshal raring to go
OuR BuREAu
ndia pacer Harshal Patel ex-
Ranchi
pressed happiness after being
L Rahul (65) and Rohit Shar- Iincluded in the Playing XI for
ma (55) starred with the bat the clash against New Zealand in the
kas India chased down the second T20I of the three-match series
target of 154 to defeat New Zealand on Friday. “It’s a great feeling playing
by seven wickets in the second T20I for the country. I love the game and
of the three-match series here at the the ultimate goal for any player is to
JSCA International Stadium Com- play for the country, it’s an honour,
plex, Ranchi on Friday. it’s a privilege and I’m not going to
Chasing 154, India got off to an take it for granted,” said Harshal Pa-
excellent start as openers Rohit Shar- tel during the innings break. “Rahul
ma and KL Rahul put on 50 runs in (Dravid) sir has always told me that
just 6.4 overs, claiming their fifth con- once you are done with the prepa-
secutive T20I partnership. Both the rations, you gotta go out there and
batters thrashed the Kiwi bowlers at enjoy the game. After 9-10 years of
every side, as Rahul brought up his domestic cricket and on the back of
fourth half-century during the game. a good IPL I’ve reached here, so it’s a
However, New Zealand bowlers satisfying moment for me,” he added.
got a sigh of relief when Rahul was Coming to the match, the Indi-
sent back by the skipper Tim South- an bowlers led by debutant Harshal
ee in the 14th over. Rohit continued (2/25) put on a brilliant display as the
the carnage and also brought up his hosts restricted New Zealand to just
half-century. 153/6.
But Southee strikes back again ganguly to ring the bell
and dismissed Rohit and Surya Ku-
mar Yadav in the 16th over. oard of Control for Cricket
in India (BCCI) President
the kiwi skipper’s wonderful bSourav Ganguly will be ring-
ing the Eden Bell at the Eden Garen
spell came a little late, as rish- stadium in Kolkata to commence the

abh Pant smashed two sixes third T20I game between India and
New Zealand on Sunday.
in two deliveries and brought Rohit Sharma celebrates his half century during the 2nd T20 match between India and New Suryakumar Yadav (62) and Ro-
india home with 16 balls in zealand, at JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Friday. (ANI) hit Sharma (48) starred with the bat as
India chased down 165 to defeat New
spare. the men in blue has now attacking display by the New Zealand stands in the 7th over in the second Zealand by five wickets in the first

claimed the three-match series batters. T20I of the three-match series here T20I of the three-match series at the
at the JSCA International Stadium
Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Wednes-
by a 2-0 lead. another 50 partnership Complex. Indian Premier League day. India and New Zealand will be
Earlier, opting to bowl, the Indian ndia opening batters Rohit Shar- (IPL) franchise Delhi Capitals took squaring off with each other in the
to Twitter and wrote, “5th consecutive
second T20I of the three-match series
bowlers led by debutant Harshal Patel ma and KL Rahul have been on a 50+ partnership for Ro-Ra in T20Is in Ranchi on Friday and in Kolkata
(2/25) put on a brilliant display as the Iroll in the shortest format and on #TeamIndia’s most successful open- for the third clash on Sunday.
hosts restricted New Zealand to just Friday registered their fifth consecu- ing pair in that metric for a reason, Coming to the first match, Martin
153/6. The trio of Harshal, Bhuvnesh- tive 50-run partnership in T20Is. The India- 50/0 (6.4).” Guptill and Mark Chapman played
war Kumar and Deepak Chahar kept pair went on to complete a classy 100- Coming to the match, the Indi- knocks of 70 and 63 respectively as
the Kiwi batters under check as the run partnership before Rahul was an openers thrashed the New Zea- New Zealand posted a total of 164/6.
visitors managed to score just 15 runs dismissed by New Zealand’s stand-in land bowlers while chasing the target For India, Ravichandran Ashwin and
from the last three overs. skipper Tim Southee in the 14th over. of 154. Rahul also brought up his Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned with
This came after Axar Patel and The Indian pair achieved the feat half-century in 43 balls, which was was
R Ashwin had put the brakes on the of registering 5 consecutive 50-run his fourth fifty in the last five games.

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