Team India lost the opening match of the three-match T20I series against New Zealand by 80 runs. The hosts posted a mammoth total of 219/6 after being invited to bat first in Westpac Stadium, Wellington.
The Indian all-rounder Krunal Pandya feels India lost this match due to leaking too many runs in the middle overs. “In the Powerplay as well as in the middle overs also, we gave away plenty of runs. Yes, obviously I guess, when you are chasing 218 (220), it’s not that easy. Initially, we gave away (too many) runs and kept on leaking runs in the middle overs as well. So no matter how the pitch was, the scoreboard pressure was obviously there.”
Watch – Krunal appealed for obstructing the field against Seifert
He further mentioned that India was poor in both departments. Be it batting or bowling, they couldn’t manage to perform well.
Krunal further added “It was a combination of both poor bowling and some great batting by the Black Caps. They batted really well and we bowled a few loose deliveries as well. So it was a combination of both.”
A couple of catches were dropped including one by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni when Man of the match Tim Seifert hadn’t scored much. Seifert went on to smash 84 off 43 balls with seven fours and six sixes. Dinesh Karthik also dropped a sitter in the deep.
Few felt it misfielding happened because of cold and windy weather of Wellington, but not Krunal. “No, not that much. It was fine. In fact, it was good weather to play. As far as the wind is concerned, it wasn’t difficult to catch the ball so I guess it was absolutely fine. Dropping catches is a part and parcel of the game. One day you might take a blinder like Siraj and then another day two catches (Dhoni and Karthik) get dropped as well. It’s just that you have to learn from every game.”
Watch – Dhoni successfully advices Krunal to get rid of Munro
Chasing 220, Team India was never in this chase and got bundled out for 139 in 19.2 overs. Tim Southee was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/17 while all the other bowlers also contributed with regular wickets. India lost the game by 80 runs and is 0-1 down in the three-match T20I series. The next game will be played on February 8 in Auckland.
