Last Update: January 28, 2023, 16:35 IST
Hardik Pandya (left) and Suryakumar Yadav (right) during the Ranchi T20I against New Zealand.
Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik felt that the partnership between Pandya and Suryakumar was crucial. Had it lasted at least four more overs, the result could have swung in India’s favor
Team India They faltered against New Zealand in the first T20I in Ranchi, losing the game by 21 runs to go 0-1 down in the three-match series. Chasing a target of 177 runs, the hosts got off to a terrible start and lost their top order in the first four overs itself. The pair of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya tried to rescue the team by sharing 68 runs in just 51 balls. But once the partnership broke, India’s batting fell apart despite Washington Sundar scoring his maiden half-century.
Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik felt that the partnership between Pandya and Suryakumar was crucial. Had it lasted for at least four more overs, the result could have swung in India’s favour.
Read this also | If Rohit Sharma’s team doesn’t do well in ODI WC, we could see possibility of split captaincy: Dinesh Karthik
“What matters is when you bat at that stage and score around 25-30, you always back yourself to score the last 50 in the last 4 overs. That’s what middle-order batsmen think these days. And even with Washington Sundar and the bowlers with him, he managed to score 30-35 runs. So, imagine two batsmen batting out there, you will be backing yourself to get those fifties.
“So, that’s where he made a mistake. Suryakumar Yadav’s dismissal was too soft. On stage, after batting so well, he’ll know he needs to bat a little longer if India is to win. But it was a Bad shot that didn’t matter at that point,” Dinesh Karthik told Cricbuzz.
“I think, Hardik Pandya, there was a match-up that was brought on because Sundar would have come in. Santner stopped himself and gave it to Bracewell. But Hardik was trapped because he thought he had to hit a six. It was understandable as the run rate was getting higher. But Surya was a crucial wicket at that point. That partnership of four more overs would have made the difference in that innings,” he said.
Read this also | ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup final: All women match officials appointed for India vs England match
The next game in Lucknow on Sunday becomes a must-win for Hardik Pandya and Co. if they want to keep the series alive. On the other hand, the 21-run win was a great comeback for the Kiwis after suffering a whitewash in the ODIs and they will be looking for revenge in the T20Is.
get the latest cricket news, the schedule And cricket live score Here