Ind vs NZ, T20 World Cup: New Zealand Attain A Resounding 8-Wicket Win Over India

Last time India defeated New Zealand in an ICC event was during the 2003 World Cup. This was not a must-win game for India but it has for surely made it difficult for them to qualify to semifinals.

New Delhi: New Zealand starred both with the bat and bowl to crush India by 8-wickets in the Group 2 match of Super 12 stage of ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup at Dubai International cricket stadium on Sunday. After Trent Boult (3/10) and Ish Sodhi (2/17) rocked India with remarkable bowling spells, Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell forged 90-plus stand for 2nd wicket after losing Martin Guptill early to keep their side on track in the 111-run chase and ultimately get a resounding win over India.

This was not exactly a must-win game for India but it has for sure made it difficult for them to qualify to semifinals.

After tonight's match, India and New Zealand have now clashed against each other thrice in the T20 World Cup and every time, India have lost against the mighty Kiwis in an ICC event in the past 18 years. Last time India defeated New Zealand in an ICC event was during the 2003 World Cup under Sourav Ganguly's captaincy. 

India were put to bat first after Virat Kohli lost his second straight toss in the ongoing World Cup. Just when Ishan Kishan was starting to showcase his stroke-playing abilities, Trent Boult got rid of him in the 3rd over. KL Rahul too, after hitting some fiery strokes, was dismissed by Tim Southee in the final over of the powerplay to further dent India. Rohit Sharma came down the order No. 3, rather than his usual opening batting slot but the star batter failed miserably as was sent back to the pavilion cheaply, by Ish Sodhi.

Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant had the task on hand to rebuild India's innings. But just when they tried to up the ante, New Zealand struck and were on top as India had lost its top-four - Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli - inside 11 overs.

Pandya and Shardul Thakur tried hitting big shots but departed cheaply. Ravindra Jadeja remained alive till the last over of India's innings to drag his team to 110 in 20 overs.

India's playing XI: Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand's playing XI: Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (c), James Neesham, Devon Conway (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult