Ind vs NZ | 2nd T20I - Dominating India clean-sweep New Zealand to clinch series

Rohit Sharma-led team India won the three-match T20I series, winning back to back games against New Zealand. With one game to spare, India put up a dominating performance in all departments of the game. 

Chasing a total of 154 runs in Ranchi on a very dew-affected Friday evening, the leadership duo of Sharma and KL Rahul made easy work out of total putting up a first wicket partnership of 117 runs in 13.2 overs. Rahul was the first one to depart skying a slower delivery from Tim Southee, but had scored 65 off 49 balls at that point in the game. Rohit Sharma continued his tempo from the last game and put up his half-century off 35 balls with a big six over square leg against speedster Adam Milne.

The duo also equalled the record of most 100 run partnerships while opening in the T20I format.

However, things got a little out of hand with India losing back to back wickets of Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav (1 off 2) in the 16th over, but Rishabh Pant made sure that it did not affect the mindset of the Indian batters. 

The left hander deposited the first two balls of Jimmy Neesham’s first over (18th over of the game) for two consecutive sixes and finished off the proceedings with 16 balls remaining.

Earlier in the day, a masterclass from debutant Harshal Patel and veteran Ravichandran Ashwin made sure that New Zealand were restricted to just 153 runs. While Patel picked two wickets on debut, Ashwin was once again economical giving away just 19 runs off four overs. He also picked up one wicket. 

Harshal Patel was adjudged man of the match for his economical spell of 4-0-25-2