Learning a great deal of strategy from their opponents, Kiwis were certainly the best in amending their spin attack while defending a small total of 120 odd runs. Considering the slow batting conditions of the ground, the decision to go with 3 prolific spin bowlers by captain Kane Williamson proved clearly a match winning trick for the black cats.

It all started from the very first over. All-rounder Nathan McCullum, who could not contribute much with the bat, did not waste a single moment to prove his worth with the ball. A sorted start from the Indian openers, but faced an early hit when McCullum got Shikhar Dhawan for an LBW at the last delivery of the first over of India’s inning.

However, India’s top batting order had to face the real challenge against Mitchell Santner, who was put on charge in the third over. First to be dismissed was Rohit Sharma, who got stumped while attempting a leg stroke. Then came the turn of India’s T20 expert, Suresh Raina, in the very same over of him. A poor shot towards midwicket for a catch to Guptil got Raina in walking towards the pavilion in a jiffy. That was enough for the Kiwis to make a comeback in the game.

Ultimate assurance for the Kiwis came with the wickets of Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli. This came at an important time when the partnership was turning dangerous for the bowling side. The former was dismissed by McCullum, while the latter was booked by Ish Sodhi, a leg-spinner that flashed bowling stats similar to that of Santner in the match.

When the captain teamed up the two spinners in the attack, the Indians simply had no defence against it. Owing to which, both of the spinners were credited for the last of the dismissals as well. In the end, India was bowled out 47 runs behind New Zealand.

Mitchell Santner: 4/11 Ish Sodhi: 3/18 Nathan McCullum: 2/15