Hamilton, January 29: India defeated New Zealand in the third T20 International via Super Over to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series here on Wednesday (January 29).
India posted a competitive 179 for five at Seddon Park after being sent into bat. Opener Rohit Sharma top-scored for India with a 65-run knock while skipper Virat Kohli contributed 38 runs in team's total. Later, skipper Kane Williamson smashed a 48-ball 95 but New Zealand faltered in the final over to take the match into the Super Over.
Needing nine runs off the last over, New Zealand lost Williamson and Ross Taylor to finish at 179 for six and tie the match.
In the Super Over, New Zealand scored 17, a target which India overwhelmed in the final ball with Rohit smashing Tim Southee for two consecutive sixes. The fourth T20 International between the two sides will be played on Friday in Wellington.
Here's how the 3rd T20I panned out in Hamilton:
Yuvraj Singh praises Rohit Sharma!
Brothaman you beauty ☝🏼 @ImRo45
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) January 29, 2020
Virat Kohli: I thought we were gone at one stage. I told our coach that they deserved to win. On the last ball, we had a discussion and we came to a conclussion that we had to hit the stumps. Rohit was superb for us. When Shami bowled those two dot balls, I thought we can go to super over. In the super over, Kane came out and smashed Bumrah who is one of best death over bowler in World Cricket. There are a couple of guys who are sitting out like Sundar and Saini, they deserve to get a game.
Kane Williamson: Super overs haven't been too successful for us. India showed their experience in the crunch situation. We bowled well after they got off to a superb start. Very disappointing. It was nice to spend some time in the middle. It was disappointing not to cross the finishing lines. It is a game of small margins. It was a much better performance from us.
Rohit Sharma (Man of the Match) - Never done that before (batting in Super Over). I didn't know what to expect, whether to go from the first ball or wait for a while. I just wanted to stay still and then try my best (on the last two sixes). Good performance with the bat, disappointed at having thrown my wicket away though. I hadn't got runs in the first two games, wanted to do well today. We knew we would win the series today if we win the match - in important games, the main players need to step up.
India have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the 5-match series.
SIX!! ROHIT SHARMA HITS A MAXIMUM AND INDIA WIN THE SUPER OVER THRILLER
5th ball - SIX!! Rohit Sharma dispatches it in the stumps India - 14/0, 4 needed from 1 ball
4th ball - KL Rahul gets a single India - 8/0 after 4 balls
3rd ball - KL Rahul gets a boundary India - 7/0 in 3 balls
2nd ball - Rohit gets a single India - 3/0 in 2 balls
1st ball - Rohit Sharma gets a double but he was almost run out had the throw been a direct hit
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are walking into the middle to start batting. Tim Southee to bowl the over for NZ.
Four! Guptill gets a boundary on the final delivery. New Zealand post 17 off 6 balls. India need 18 runs to win this match
6,4! Williamson gets a maximum and a boundary off Bumrah.
Super Over! A couple of single on the first two balls
Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill are out into the middle to play the Super Over. Bumrah to bowl
Bumrah to bowl Super Over for India? If not, who?
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 29, 2020
Ian Smith is heartbroken in the commentary box!
BOWLED!! Shami gets rid of Taylor on the final ball. Match tied! WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A SUPER OVER
A six off the first ball and Shami still defends three off the next five balls. Incredible bowling and we are in for a super over. Wow!
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) January 29, 2020
Scores levelled! 1 needed from 1 for NZ to win
Wicket! Anti-climactic for NZ. Skipper Kane Williamson (95) is caught behind by KL Rahul. NZ - 178/5 in 19.3 overs. 2 needed off 3 balls for NZ
SIX! Taylor welcomes Williamson with a maximum. 3 needed off 5 for NZ
11 runs leaked by Bumrah from his final over of the innings. He finishes with figures of 4-0-45-0. NZ need 9 off 6 balls.
Master class from Williamson. Even the mighty Bumrah travelling today....
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 29, 2020
Fielding has been a major let down for India.
Fielding Impact - Today
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) January 29, 2020
New Zealand : +4
India : -16
India's poor fielding has been the key difference in the match so far. #NZvIND
Chahal concedes 9 runs from his final over and New Zealand reach 160/4 in 18 overs. NZ require 20 off 12 deliveries. Williamson is batting on 90*
14 runs came from Bumrah's third over - this isn't his game today and the fielders are not helping him either with sloppy work. NZ reach 151/4 in 17 overs. The hosts are cruising in this run chase.
Shoddy in the field today, India.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 29, 2020
Four, Four, Four! Kane Williamson displaying his class today as he hits Bumrah for consecutive boundaries and he's looking in cruise control now.
Wicket! Colin de Grandhomme (5) gives a simple catch to Shivam Dube at gully. Shardul breaks the partnership. NZ - 134/4 after 16 overs.
SIX!! Williamson welcomes Shardul with a maximum. The skipper is definitely playing an innings of the series and he's coming back to his form
New Zealand reach 128/3 in 15 overs. 52 needed from 30 deliveries.
SIX, SIX! Kane Williamson hits back-to-back maximums off Jadeja. The NZ skipper is looking in ominous form today. Indians badly need a wicket now, else this will be an easy run chase for NZ.
Williamson playing the innings of rhe series yet to try and keep New Zealand alive in the rubber
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 29, 2020