India registered a clean-sweep on Sunday, winning the three-match T20I series against New Zealand. They defeated the kiwis by 73 runs in the third T20I at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The Indian team dominated the series, winning all the games comprehensively. They will be pleased with the comeback, after an early exit from the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. This was also India’s first series under the new Head Coach-Captain duo of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, marking a new era for India in the T20 format.
CHAMPIONS #TeamIndia #INDvNZ @Paytm pic.twitter.com/UI5askB5y4
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 21, 2021
Let’s take a look at three positives for India from the T20I series.
1. Rohit Sharma-KL Rahul’s opening partnership
Skipper Rohit Sharma along with his deputy KL Rahul led the Indian batting line-up from the front. The duo got India off to a blistering start in the second T20I, helping India to chase down 154 runs comprehensively.
KL Rahul scored 80 runs in two innings, including a fifty. He was rested for the third T20I as Ishan Kishan opened the batting along with Rohit Sharma. The skipper was awarded the Player of the Series award for his 159 runs in three innings, at an average of 53.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin brilliant showdown with the ball
Ravichandran Ashwin has made a good comeback to India’s T20I squad. He played three games in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, taking six wickets, at an average of 10.50. Ashwin continued his good run in the T20 series against New Zealand.
The off-spinner took three wickets at an average of 14.00 in the series. He was pretty economical with the ball, conceding runs at only a 5.25 economy rate. Ashwin’s performance in the series is one of the biggest positives for India.
3. Axar Patel coming up through the ranks
Axar Patel had a memorable outing in the third and final T20I against New Zealand. He registered his best T20I figures for India, taking three wickets for 9 runs. Axar was awarded the Player of the Match, for his brilliance with the ball.
Overall, in the series, Axar took four wickets, at an average of 16.50, and an outstanding economy rate of 6.00.
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