What on earth! New Zealand went down once again in a super over to lose the fourth game of the series from the jaws of victory against India at the Sky Stadium in Wellington. After a brilliant last over from Shardul Thakur, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli chased down the target set by the Kiwis in the super over to go 4-0 up in the series.
The Kiwis managed to post 13 runs in the super over with Tim Seifert scoring the bulk of runs alongside Colin Munro. But it was not enough to win the match as New Zealand once again ended on the wrong side of a super over. KL Rahul took Tim Southee for a six and a boundary in the first two balls before Virat Kohli won it for his side.
During the chase, New Zealand once again got off to a poor start losing experienced Martin Guptill early in the innings. But Colin Munro and Tim Seifert steered the ship adding 74 runs for the second wicket to keep the host in line for the chase. Munro, who looked out of the socks in the first three games of the series, took on the Indian bowlers before a stunning effort from India skipper Virat Kohli ensured his departure.
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Seeking an opportunity, the visitors sneaked in with one more wicket to have the Kiwis at 97 for three but Seifert anchored the innings alongside Ross Taylor as New Zealand looked to pull one back in the series. India had to pay for the mischances as the experienced duo kept the asking rate under check with timely boundaries. Shardul Thakur bowled an outstanding last over, much as Mohammed Shami did in the last match, to take the game to super over before the batters won it for the visitors.
Meanwhile, batting first, Manish Pandey saved India from humiliation playing a fine knock of 50 runs to help the visitors post 165 runs from 20 overs. Previously, Ish Sodhi wreaked havoc reducing the Men in Blues to 88 for six before Pandey anchored the innings to post a challenging total on the board. KL Rahul once again made a fine start showing examples of his outstanding form but he lacked support as the Kiwi bowlers finally put their feet forward in the series.
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Manish Pandey remained unbeaten on 50 runs from 36 deliveries and a timely contribution from Shardul Thakur helped India give something to their bowler to bowl at in Wellington. While it looked like New Zealand will finally pull one back but Shardul Thakur bowled a terrific last over before KL Rahul and Virat Kohli won the match in the super over.
Twitter Reactions
The series scoreline should have been 2-2. Instead, it is now 4-0 for India.
Incidentally, no side has won a T20I bilateral series 5-0.#INDvsNZ #IndvNZ #NZvsIND— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 31, 2020
Well played @im_manishpandey the inning came at the time when team India needed the most. Tricky chase for New Zealand. There is help for bowlers in this pitch with straight long boundaries #NZvsIND
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 31, 2020
Just fan things #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/dS7NRvlfQM
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 31, 2020
Sanju Samson’s inclusion always brings smiles to everyone’s faces.
— (@GautamSodhi1) January 31, 2020
Rishabh Pant after watching Sanju Samson’s inning : pic.twitter.com/SvOBd05CEx
— Rahul (@iamRahul66) January 31, 2020
india opening with their accidentally discovered keeper and their spare keeper while keeping their original keeper on the bench #NZvIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) January 31, 2020
New Zealand seamers using the shot ball well this game,gotta get inside the line as a batsman to play it , gives more options and opens the field up #NZvIND
— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) January 31, 2020
Hard to keep #ViratKohli out of the game , brilliance #NZvsIND
— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) January 31, 2020
no one hits the slog sweep better than Ross Taylor, no one.
— (@GautamSodhi1) January 31, 2020
The Kohli run-out apart, another forgettable day in the field. It is an issue now.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 31, 2020
Rohit had taken rest already against SL series. This NZ tour is very important for him and he looked great in last match. Insecure Kohli rested him to take all the limelight. Shame on you! @imVkohli .#NZvsIND
— ANSHUMAN (@AvengerReturns) January 31, 2020
#NZvIND #NZvsIND
* After seeing Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube getting out by playing rash shots *
Rishabh Pant : pic.twitter.com/3pVNfkuqzX— Himanshu Malik (@itsHIMANSHUU) January 31, 2020
Quite Incredible to have a #SuperOver in back to back matches. The Indian seamers were simply outstanding in the last 3 overs to defend 18 . Love this quality of fighting till the end from India. Great win #NZvsInd pic.twitter.com/Eq9lV83xcf
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 31, 2020
Whata Match UNBELIEVABLE
Another #SuperOver Win For India
Tough Luck For New Zealand
Congratulations Team India. #NZvsIND #INDvsNZ
— Lucky Pareta Official (@imLuckypareta) January 31, 2020
New Zealand right now !! #SuperOver #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/9jgQw029Fk
— Mohit (@MohitSarcasm) January 31, 2020
भारत ने फिर सुपर ओवर में न्यूजीलैंड को हराया…..
बधाई हो भारतीय टीम को #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/BVHpWaukQd— Abdul Rahman Lodra With Rg 100% F B (@abdullodra) January 31, 2020
New Zealand Removed chokers tag from South Africa #NZvsIND
— Vimal Rawat (@Vimal0147) January 31, 2020
At the stroke of the midnight hour, when New Zealand sleeps, India will awake to shatter their super-over dreams!
Sensational! @BCCI@BLACKCAPS#NZvsIND— Rakesh Rout (@greatrakesh) January 31, 2020
New Zealand in Super Overs suffer mental disintegration
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 31, 2020
The great art of conceiving a super over. Brought to you by New Zealand.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 31, 2020