1st T20I: Clinical India break New Zealand jinx, crush Kiwis by 53 runs in Nehra's farewell match

New Delhi, Nov 1: A clinical performance from India helped the Men In Blue register a convincing 53-run-win to end their five-match winless streak against New Zealand in the first T20I here on Wednesday (November 1).

Match Scorecard; India-NZ series schedule

Veteran India pacer Ashish Nehra played his final match as he retired from all forms of the game in front an electric home crowd at Feroz Shah Kotla.

Setting a mammoth target of 203 for the Kiwis to chase, India bowled exceptionally well to restrict New Zealand to 149/8 in the stipulated 20 overs and recorded their first win against the BlackCaps. With this win, the Men In Blue also took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

#ThankYouAshishNehra pic.twitter.com/YDiMbtAGwr

— ICC (@ICC) November 1, 2017

Defending a huge total, Indian bowlers produced a clinical performance and kept picking up wickets at regular intervals to keep pressure over Kiwis. Yuzvendra Chahal gave the visitors their first jolt as he got Martin Guptill caught by Hardik Pandya in the deep at an individual score of 4. Hardik Pandya took a brilliant sprinting catch in the deep to put an end to the right-handed batsman's knock.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave the Kiwis their second jolt as he cleaned up Colin Munro for 7 with a perfect yorker. Skipper Kane Williamson was the third wicket to perish after he was dismissed for 28. Dhoni took a simple catch behind the stumps to dismiss the skipper.

Later, Axar Patel (2/20) took two wickets in his final over to rattle the backbone of the Kiwi batting line-up. Jasprit Bumrah (1/37) leaked some runs as he emerged as the costliest of the Indian bowlers.

Nehra, who was playing his final game, remained wicketless as he completed his quota of 4 overs and conceded 29 runs. The 38-year-old veteran pacer bade adieu to his cricketing career in front of a supporting crowd at Kotla.

VIDEO: Ashish Nehra given a memento by the team for his remarkable contribution to Indian cricket #TeamIndiahttps://t.co/3itQO1Ov5u pic.twitter.com/orHnyu3eUB

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 1, 2017

Nehra bowled the final over and the fans erupted in joy as the cricketer completed his full quota of overs. The veteran cricketer took a lap of honour and acknowledged the crowd for their love and support.

Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan (80 off 52 balls) and Rohit Sharma (80 off 55 balls) set the tone for the hosts and put up a record 158-run stand for the first wicket. Both the batsmen started their innings with caution and went on attacking Kiwi pacers.

Dhawan was awarded the Man of the Match for his knock of 80. He took 3 balls lesser than his opening partner and was aggressive from the beginning while Sharma took his time.

What a way to finish your international career, with a win on your home ground! Farewell and thanks for the memories Ashish Nehra! pic.twitter.com/Dx67FJOpwY

— ICC (@ICC) November 1, 2017

Following Dhawan's dismissal in the 17th over, Hardik Pandya was promoted up in the batting order but he was dismissed for a duck in the same over. Skipper Virat Kohli was the next man in and played a cameo of 11-ball 26 and smashed three massive sixes.

Following Rohit Sharma's departure on the final ball of the penultimate over, MS Dhoni came in to bat. Dhoni (7 off 2 balls) hammered a six on the first delivery he faced and then took a single to give Kohli the strike.

Young Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer, who was handed over his India cap and made his international debut, didn't get a chance to bat.

Mitchell Santner (0/30) and Ish Sodhi (2/25) were the pick of the bowlers for the Kiwis and stopped the visitors from scoring more.