A decisive day for the T20 World Cup 2021 fortunes of both India and New Zealand. With that win, New Zealand are third in Group 2, behind Pakistan and Afghanistan (who have played one more game than the Kiwis). Meanwhile, India are fifth in the standings, one spot below Namibia!
India still have three more matches left in the tournament, against Namibia, Afghanistan and Scotland. But their chances of making it to the semis are now slim. But with that we have arrived at the end of this liveblog. See you tomorrow with the live coverage of England vs Sri Lanka.
Kane Williamson: “It was a fantastic all-round performance from us against a formidable India side. We were able to build pressure throughout. We saw some very good signs in our first match as well and we built on that. Ish Sodhi is an outstanding T20 bowler, white-ball bowler in particular. He’s been a big part and played in a number of competitions, and in these conditions, spin will play a part.”
Virat Kohli: It’s quite bizarre. To be honest, we were just not brave enough today. New Zealand had better intensity, better body language. There’s only one way to play on T20 cricket, you have to be optimistic. We have to disconnect from these results. We have to go out with a positive frame of mind.”
Ish Sodhi: “We weren’t able to see the ground before we got here. First time we have set foot in Dubai stadium, and it was something we had to adapt to. Tim Southee getting the wicket late in the Powerplay was massive for us, it allowed the spinners to bowl. We had a tough loss against Pakistan.”
Ish Sodhi is the Player of the Match.
NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 8 WICKETS
After their 10-wicket defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the first Super 12 game, India have lost by eight wickets to New Zealand in their second game. Daryl Mitchell’s knock of 49 runs and skipper Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 33-run innings guided New Zealand to an easy victory over Men in Blue.
India in T20 WC so far…
#IND T20 World Cup so far Batting: 261 for 14 off 40 overs (RR 6.52, average 18.64)
Bowling: 263 for 2 off 32.2 overs (RR 8.13, average 131.50)#T20WorldCup— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) October 31, 2021
Heartbreak
?– Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) October 31, 2021
Daryl Mitchell (49) c KL Rahul b Bumrah
India have their man, but it’s already too late with the Kiwis within sniffing distance of victory. What a measured innings Mitchell has played, starting brashly, but then ensuring that New Zealand breezed their way to the target.
After 12 overs, New Zealand 94/1 (Daryl Mitchell 49, Kane Williamson 20)
Pandya comes into the attack and starts with a dot ball. The rest of the balls are all worked away for a run apiece. Kiwis need 17 runs from 48 balls.