[WATCH] Rinku Singh Smashes Back-To-Back Sixes In The Final Over vs NZ

Rinku Singh provided the finishing touches in style for India during the first T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur on Wednesday, January 21. The left-handed batter made full use of the final over, plundering 20 runs that included consecutive sixes off Daryl Mitchell.

Mitchell opened the over with a length delivery, which Rinku charged down and struck cleanly down the ground, sending the ball sailing towards the sight screen. The medium-pacer then rolled his fingers for a slower ball, but Rinku generated enough power to clear the mid-wicket boundary with ease.

Rinku capped off the over with two further boundaries as India collected 21 runs from the last over of their innings. You can watch the video here:

https://www.bcci.tv/bccilink/videos/1xahgBy4

https://www.bcci.tv/bccilink/videos/gnNARJjd

Rinku Singh Shines On T20I Return Against New Zealand

Rinku Singh maintained his stellar form with the bat on his T20I return against New Zealand, smashing an unbeaten 44 off just 20 balls, including three sixes and four boundaries. The southpaw had notably missed India’s T20I series against South Africa in December last year.

Abhishek Sharma also continued his blistering run, scoring a quickfire 84 from 35 deliveries, laced with eight sixes and five fours. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav contributed 32 off 22 balls, while Hardik Pandya added 25 from 16 deliveries, helping India post a formidable 238/7 in their 20 overs.

However, not all comebacks went well. Ishan Kishan managed only eight runs, while Sanju Samson (10), Shivam Dube (9), and vice-captain Axar Patel (5) struggled to make an impact. For New Zealand, Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson were the standout performers, claiming two wickets each, while debutant Kristian Clarke, Ish Sodhi, and skipper Mitchell Santner picked up one apiece.

India enter this series buoyed by a 3-1 win over South Africa and remain unbeaten in T20I series since lifting the 2024 T20 World Cup. New Zealand, who also defeated the West Indies 3-1, have not managed a T20I series win against India since 2019, having lost four consecutive series.

Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.