That brings us to the end of our coverage of the first T20I between India and New Zealand in Ranchi, with the action now shifting west to the Uttar Pradesh capital of Lucknow, where the Men in Blue will hope to mount a comeback and take the series to a decider in Ahmedabad.
On behalf of my colleagues at Firstpost, this is Amit signing off, wishing you all a good night and a happy weekend ahead!
The Black Caps finally open their account in the tour of India, dishing out an all-round performance in Ranchi to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. Daryl Mitchell’s fireworks late in the New Zealand innings helped them get close to the 180-mark, shifting the momentum in their favour and giving them the psychological advantage at the start of the Indian chase.
The New Zealand spinners then rocked the Indian top-order, reducing them to 15/3. Skipper Hardik Pandya and his deputy Suryakumar Yadav tried mounting a fightback in the middle overs with a quality partnership, but India needed either of them to stay at the crease till the very end of the chase. Washington Sundar’s cameo was a major positive for the hosts in what was otherwise a disappointing day in office.
IND vs NZ LIVE Score
After 20 overs,India 155/9 ( Arshdeep Singh 0 , Umran Malik 4)
FOUR! Umran Malik, the final Indian batter to walk to the crease, gets a thick top-edge off a short delivery from Lockie Ferguson to finish the Indian innings with a boundary.
And with that, New Zealand go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series with a 21-run win in Ranchi!
India vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score
OUT! Sundar perishes while attempting to play a cheeky uppercut towards third man, getting caught by Duffy off Ferguson’s bowling in the penultimate delivery of the match. IND 151/9
Sundar c Duffy b Ferguson 50(28)
India vs New Zealand LIVE Score
SIX! What a way for Washington Sundar to bring up his maiden T20I half-century, smashing the ball over long on off Lockie Ferguson, bringing up the milestone in just 25 deliveries! Also brings up the 150 for the Men in Blue. IND 150/8
New Zealand vs India LIVE Cricket Score
SIX! FOUR! FOUR! Sundar’s not going out without a fight! Goes for an inside-out lofted drive off a slower delivery from Tickner, clearing long off in the process, and follows it up with back-to-back drives through the cover region. He’s into the 40s now. IND 141/8
New Zealand vs India LIVE Score
After 18 overs,India 127/8 ( Washington Sundar 29 , Arshdeep Singh 0)
OUT! Kuldeep’s caught-behind off Ferguson’s bowling, and there’s barely any celebration at the moment. What’s more, Ferguson collects five dots in a row to collect a wicket-maiden — the first of his career!
Kuldeep c Conway b Ferguson 0(1)
IND vs NZ LIVE Cricket Score
After 17 overs,India 127/7 ( Washington Sundar 29 , Kuldeep Yadav 0)
SIX! Short ball from Tickner, Sundar hooks this cleanly behind square, the ball sailing high over the fence as a result. He’s batting on 29 at the end of the 17th over, and will hope to bring up his half-century by the time the innings is done, even if the prospect of guiding his team home from here is well beyond reach now.
IND vs NZ LIVE Score
OUT! The New Zealand captain’s leading from the front today, not only featuring among the wickets but also shining on the field. Catches Shivam Mavi marginally short at the non-striker’s end with a direct hit after Mavi taps the ball down the ground, and stutters briefly while going for the run. IND 115/7
Mavi run out (Santner) 2(3)
India vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Score
OUT! No miracles from Hooda tonight, and it’s unlikely anyone else will be performing the same tonight for the hosts. The all-rounder charges down the track, is beaten by the extra turn produced by Santner and is stumped by a mile in the end. IND 111/6; need 66 off 26
Hooda st Conway b Santner 10(10)