The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli reckons that New Zealand deserved to win the third T20I after India won the game in the Super Over to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series on Wednesday. The Indian opener, Rohit Sharma smashed consecutive sixes in the last two balls of the Super Over to lead India to its maiden T20I series win in New Zealand following a nail-biting finish.

Needing 18 off in the Super Over, India scored 8 in first 4 balls and then, Rohit then smacked two sixes — one over cow corner and another over long-off — to help India pull off a nail-biter.

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Talking about the match during the post-match presentation, Kohli said, “I thought we were gone at one stage. I told our coach that they deserved to win. The way Kane was batting. Feel bad for him, I know what it’s like to play those knocks when things don’t go your way. On the last ball, we had a discussion and we came to the conclusion that we had to hit the stumps. Rohit was outstanding, both in our innings, and the last two balls as well. We knew if he got one hit, the bowler was under pressure immediately”

Rohit turned out to be the star for India as he also top-scored with a 65-run knock to guide the visitor to 179 for five in its 20 overs. The blackcaps were in complete control of the match as they needed just 2 runs in the two four balls with six wickets in hand, but they couldn’t go over the line. Mohammed Shami bowled a brilliant final over to tie the game.

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With having an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, the India skipper hinted that he will try out his bench strength in the remaining two games. Kohli said, “It’s important to give a couple of the others some game time as well. We want to see how they do in these conditions, someone like Washington Sundar, or (Navdeep) Saini.”

The fourth T20I will be played at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Friday followed by the final game at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.