New Delhi: Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma struck sparkling half centuries as India made full use of the batting conditions to put on a 202 for 3 against a sloppy New Zealand at Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi.
Captain Virat Kohli showed a different aspect of his batting by playing an entertaining 26-run cameo off just 11 balls that included three towering sixes to give the Indian innings flight towards the end.
There was no bearing of the fact that India has never beaten New Zealand in T20Is as both the Indian openers were ruthless in their approach.
Sent in to bat, Dhawan and Rohit made full use of the chances provided by the New Zealand fielders to put on 158 - India’s highest ever opening partnership in T20Is.
Dhawan was put down by Mitchell Santner as early as the second over when he was only on 8. He went on to score 80 - his highest score in T20Is at a marvelous strike rate off 153.85.
Playing on his home turf, Dhawan was severe on anything short as he dispatched them either over point or over square leg. The stylish left-hander took 18 runs off Trent Boult in the 16th over by slamming him for two fours and a six. He was finally out caught behind off Ish Sodhi’s bowling for 80.
Rohit, who also got his share of luck when he was dropped twice, grabbed the opportunity with both hands and went to score 80 runs off 55 balls.
The decision to send Hardik Pandya at No.3 did not work out as he was sent packing for duck by Ish Sodhi. However, that turned out to be a blessing disguise for India as it brought the Indian captain Virat Kohli into to crease, who got going with a 90 meter six off Grandhomme.
Kohli hit two more sixes to pile on the agony of the visitors.
For New Zealand, there was not much of a positive as far as their bowling and fielding were concerned. The superb fielding side, which they are known as, dropped four catches and let a few over throws slip by.
There bowlers were off colour, only Ish Sodhi managed to tangle the Indians with figures of 2 for 25.