India thrashed New Zealand in the third T20I with a huge margin of 168 runs to clinch the best-of-three series 2-1. With this historic victory, the Indian team became the first side in T20I history to secure 50 wins at home in the shortest format as it defeated New Zealand 2-1.
In the third T20 International of the series, the Indian cricket team totally outperformed New Zealand, scoring 168 runs to win the match. After winning the first match, India decided to bat first, and Gill guided the side to 234-4, scoring his first T20 century for the country. Indian bowling department bowled out the Kiwis, sweeping them at a dismal 66 in just 12.1 overs in three one-day matches.
India became the first team in cricket history to win a 50 T20I series at home as Hardik Pandya led his side to a significant milestone in the shortest and hottest version of the game. In addition to being a massive victory, it was also India’s biggest-ever T20 victory in a match involving two Test-playing nations, by a margin of runs.
India vs New Zealand- Match Summary
After winning the toss, the Men in Blue opted to bat first in the game’s finale. India once more suffered an early loss as Ishan Kishan was caught lbw by Michael Bracewell. However, Shubman Gill scored his first T20I century to help the hosts reach a commanding total of 234/4. In the process, When chasing a huge target, the New Zealand batting order was destroyed by Indian pacers during the powerplay and was unable to bounce back. Gill achieved feats in all three game types, something few other players have done.
On a pitch that was not difficult for batting, the team led by Mitchell Santner struggled miserably. After the open left the field, the visitors buckled under the weight of the scoreboard and kept losing wickets in quick succession. Hardik Pandya also contributed with the ball and concluded with his best figures of 4/16 with help from Umran Mallik. The final Kiwi batsman to depart and the team’s leading scorer throughout the significant run chase was Daryl Mitchell, who scored a quick 35 off 20.
Gill’s heroic boost India to a record-breaking victory
Gill’s bat was silent in the first two T20Is against the Kiwis after his exploits in the ODIs. He did, however, regain his silky touch with the willow and smashed an undefeated 126 off just 63 balls. The graceful opener became just the fifth Indian player to reach a hundred runs in all three forms, smashing 12 fours and seven sixes in his outstanding innings. The 23-year-old batsman contributed to a brilliant 80-run second-wicket stand with Rahul Tripathi, who struck four fours and three sixes.
After Kishan’s early departure, Tripathi contributed 44 runs off 22 balls to give
India the much-needed edge in the powerplay. The hosts completed with a huge
total thanks to a 103-run fourth-wicket partnership between Gill and captain Hardik Pandya, who scored 30 runs off 17 balls.