Internet Desk: A power packed century (109 off 58 balls) from Colin Munro supported by a devastating spell of fast bowling from Trent Boult helped Blackcaps level the 3 match T20I series against India at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Saturday.
Riding on the swashbuckling innings from Munro, the visitors piled a massive 196/2. Together with Martin Guptill (45), Munro put on 105 runs for the first wicket.
Munro’s ton came off 54 balls and included six boundaries and seven sixes. This was his second T20I century following the one against Bangladesh at the start of the year. The Kiwi opener took his time to settle but once in his groove, he never looked backed, making full use of the flat deck at Rajkot. Indian fielding also has to be credited as they missed three chances given by the New Zealand opening batsman.
His first reprieve came when he reached his fifty off the bowling on Axar Patel as the ball just went through Shreyas Iyer’s hands at long-on for a six. A little later, he could have been run out if Rohit Sharma was more accurate with his throw at the wicketkeeper’s end. He was third time lucky while on 79 when Yuzvendra Chahal dropped a sitter.
India’s chase never really took off — they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could only manage 156/7 in 20 overs, going down by 40 runs. Only skipper Virat Kohli looked in good touch as he scored 65 off 42 balls. Former India captain did scored 49 runs but that did not stop the hosts from losing the match handsomely by a margin of 40 runs. The hosts could only manage 156/7. The series decider will be played on Tuesday.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 196/2 (Colin Munro 109 no, Mohammed Siraj 1/53).
India 156/7 (Virat Kohli 65, MS Dhoni 49, Trent Boult 4/34)