Auckland: The immensely-talented Shreyas Iyer enhanced his reputation as a finisher with a scintillating 29-ball-58 in India’s six-wicket victory over New Zealand in a high-scoring first T20 International here on Friday.
Iyer built on KL Rahul’s (56 off 27 balls) blazing start and Virat Kohli’s useful 45 off 32 balls as India made short work of a 204-run target, knocking it off with an over to spare. Credit should be given to Indian bowlers for restricting New Zealand towards the end considering the dimensions of the Eden Park.
Earlier, Colin Munro and Kane Williamson had smashed quick-fire half-centuries as New Zealand scored 203-5. In pursuit of 204, India lost Rohit Sharma (7) early in the second over as he played one too many shots in a bid to go after spinner Mitchell Santner (1-50). Rahul and Kohli then took charge of the innings with an 80-run partnership coming off only 47 balls.
India crossed 100 in the ninth over thanks to their whirlwind partnership, albeit both had chances.
Rahul survived a mix-up as New Zealand failed to hit the stumps twice, and then Ish Sodhi dropped a sitter off Kohli. Continuing his fine form, Rahul notched up his half-century off 23 balls while Kohli fell short of his landmark by just five runs.
Together, they provided the base for India’s middle order to finish the chase. The Black Caps roared back into contention with a double blow. First, Rahul was out caught off Sodhi in the 10th over and then seven balls later, Martin Guptill pulled off a screamer at deep mid wicket to send back Kohli.
India lost their set batsmen for six runs and their ploy to send Shivam Dube (13) up the order only had limited success.Iyer then took charge of proceedings as he smacked five fours and three sixes to propel India to victory.
‘Loving the role of keeper-batsman’
KL Rahul is enjoying his new role as India’s wicketkeeper batsman, he said after helping his side register the six-wicket victory. “I’m quite honestly loving it. At the international stage, it might seem very new and it might seem like I’ve never kept. (But) I’ve kept for my IPL franchise for the last 3-4 years, and I’ve kept for my first-class team as and when there is an opening. I’ve still stayed in touch with wicketkeeping,” Rahul said.
“I enjoy staying behind the stumps and it also gives me a great idea about how the pitch is playing, and I can pass on that message to the bowlers and the captain with field-sets and everything. As a keeper, that’s also your responsibility to stay active and pass the message on to your captain as to what lengths are better and what I feel we can do better.” (Agencies)
“It is extra work but staying behind the stumps also helps batting,” said Rahul, who is in the form of his life.
“As a batsman as well, after keeping for 20 overs, especially you get a fair idea on what are the good shots on this kind of wicket and so I’m enjoying the responsibility and so far so good for me.”
