New Zealand commit comedy of errors: The Kiwi fielders made a mess of what should have been an easy run-out in the first T20I.
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During the first T20I of the ongoing India’s tour of New Zealand in Auckland, New Zealand fielders committed a blunder when they failed to run-out the Indian batsmen on not one but two occasions on the same delivery.
It all happened on the second delivery of the sixth over when Rahul played a Hamish Bennett delivery towards cover and instantly called for a single. However, him refusing the single mid-way found both him and captain Virat Kohli eyeing to run towards the same end.
With Kohli reaching the striker’s end before Rahul, the latter made an attempt to complete the single especially after cover fielder Tim Southee didn’t hit the stumps directly at the non-striker’s end.
With the mid-wicket fielder backing up Southee’s throw, even he had a clear chance of of running out Rahul. That being said, him missing the stumps at the non-striker’s end handed another reprieve to Rahul.
ALSO WATCH: KL Rahul whips Tim Southee for startling six in Auckland T20I
Opening the batting with vice-captain Rohit Sharma (7), Rahul stitched a 99-run partnership for the second wicket alongside Kohli (45) in a 204-run target. Before getting out to New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi in the 10th over, Rahul scored 56 (27) with the help of four fours and three sixes.
It was Shreyas Iyer’s second T20I half-century, 58* (29), with the help of five fours and three sixes which played a titular role in India’s 6-wicket victory.
Earlier, New Zealand posted a formidable 203/5 in 20 overs on the back of individual half-centuries from opening batsman Colin Munro (59), veteran batsman Ross Taylor (54*) and captain Kane Williamson (51) after Kohli won the toss and invited the hosts in to bat.
New Zealand commit comedy of errors
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How Twitterati reacted:
Fantastic win for India to start the New Zealand tour. A record 4th time that India have chased 200+ in T20 I. Good all round batting effort with Rahul, Kohli and Shreyas Iyer playing beauties. And under the circumstances,some really tight bowling from Bumrah and Chahal #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/qTGdXDBas3
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 24, 2020
Colin Munro – 59 (42)
Kane Williamson – 51 (26)
Ross Taylor – 54* (27)
KL Rahul – 56 (27)
Shreyas Iyer – 58* (29)This is the first-ever match in the history of T20I cricket where five different players scored 50+ runs. #NZvIND
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) January 24, 2020
Shreyas Iyer’s knock is a good example of how having a proper number four batsman (and giving him exposure in that situation) helps. #NZvInd
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) January 24, 2020
What A-way to go after a great home run! #WhistlePodu #NZvIND 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/xAwXm8vEn5
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 24, 2020
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