New Zealand emerged victorious by defeating the visitors by 4 runs in Hamilton in the third and final T20I, winning the T20I series 2-1. New Zealand’s Tim Southee used all his experience to bowl some brilliant delivers in the final over to defend the total (212/4) and secure the match and series. The Blackcaps were successful to hold off India despite a late charge from Krunal Pandya and Dinesh Karthik.
Meanwhile, Indian former captain MS Dhoni became the first India cricketer to play 300 T20 matches. The list of cricketers with over 300 T20 appearances to their name is topped by Windies star player and all-rounder Kieran Pollard with 446 appearances.
An unusual moment took place in the first innings at the Seddon Park when a fan ran towards MS Dhoni with an Indian flag. The fan touched Dhoni’s feet but dropped the tricolour while doing so. Realising that the flag was touching the ground, Dhoni quickly picked the flag first as the fan was later chased by the security guards.
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In a recent interview, head coach Ravi Shastri had said that Dhoni is a cricketer whose experience is not bought or sold in the market.
“He is still a great batsman, and is finishing matches for us. You saw in Adelaide, and he has been in terrific form this year. He may not be Dhoni of 2008 or 2011. But experience is not bought or sold in the market.
“And why just batting, you saw the run-out of James Neesham on Sunday. That was Dhoni at his very best, like a con artist. He was not even looking at the ball, and the run-out was done in a flash, and it changed the course of that game. He is superb with the gloves, and from behind the stumps he really guides the wrist spinners because he understands all the fielding angles from inside the circle much better than the others,” Shastri said.