Highlights, India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I at Delhi, cricket result: Hosts win by 53 runs, lead series 1-0

Our correspondent, Debdutta Bhattacharjee, reviews India’s comprehensive win over New Zealand in the first T20I in Delhi

Love from Viru Paa! The journey between these two even before any of the two became a regular in the national side.

End of an era , Ashish Nehra. Congratulations on a fighting and wonderful career. Wish you the best , Ashish.

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 1, 2017

India captain, Virat Kohli: Very clinical performance from the whole team. I thought the wicket was a bit damp but the openers were outstanding. And with the ball as well, we were brilliant. The bowlers bowled where they should and the fielders backed it up. That catch by Hardik Pandya is one of the best I have seen. Shikhar’s one day game is so good and he always wanted to convert that into T20 as well. I think his adaptability was spot on today and he unleashed all the shots he had. As a captain, you always need an extra bowling option. Now when he is retired I am the captain of the side. To keep coming back after the surgeries has been really tough for him. He deserved this kind of a farewell. He has a beautiful family and it is time for him to take care of them.

Shikhar Dhawan  is named the Man of the Match for his 80 off 52 balls: Yeah, I was very happy. It was needed. I knew that I haven’t performed for India at T20 level. Rohit started bit slow so took the role of aggresor’s role. Not really. I feel I can play anywhere in the ground have all the shots. All three formats are important. I love all three formats and I love the game. I make sure my fitness is good so I can compete with 25-year old boys."

Kane Williamson, New Zealand captain: It was a disappointing performance tonight. I don’t think so we can use it (dew) as an excuse. India played fantastically in all facets. We will be back in Rajkot. Spinners bowled very well. Congratulations to Ashish Nehra, played against him, a true gentlemen, congratulations on the career.

Ashish Nehra: I will miss all this. Earlier on, I also have said, but my body will be relaxed now. I must be one bowler who has bowled the most number of times. I said earlier that I can go a couple of more years, but there can’t be a better time to walk away in front of home crowd. It’s a big change, The game has changed a lot since I started playing. I played my first game here in 1997. The rules have changed and so many runs are being scored. I have seen the last 18-20 years. This team is here to stay. Indian cricket is in good hands for next 7-8 years. I have no regrets. I am always happy, retired or not.

I leave you with this wonderful and emotional scene…

Nehra takes a lap of honour at his home ground. A tremendous reception by the crowd to incessant beats of the drum

An Indian fast bowler bids adieu after 18 years and people saw their love towards him at Kotla which is why Nehra is bigger than what his numbers suggest. He did not use social media but he was extremely popular on social media. Thank you Nehraji!

Nehra bids adieu. Very emotional scenes. India comprehensively beat the Kiwis and gives a fantastic parting gift to a great servant of Indian cricket

Rohit-Dhawan provided a blistering start,

Clueless Kiwis were absolutely ripped apart, 

Poor performance has run the alarm bell,

The ageless wonder was given a grand farewell!

The Indian players are going on a victory lap and Ashish Nehra is leading it.

India win the Delhi T20I by 53 runs. An evidently emotional Ashish Nehra is being hugged by his teammates. The crowd is giving a send-off to the local boy. Nehra is a bit emotional and why not? His 18-year career has come to an end.

After 20 overs,New Zealand 149/8 ( Mitchell Santner 27 , Ish Sodhi 11)

Ball one: Sodhi looks to slog across the line and misses. 

Ball two: Nehra bounces Sodhi, who is late on the pull. 

Ball three: Sodhi is up for the challenge. Chips one over mid off. 

Ball four: Wide! Nehra bowls it slow and outside off, the umpire spreads his arms. 

Ball four: Sodhi tries to pull but the ball hits him on the body and goes towards the right of Dhoni. They take a leg bye. 

Ball five: A single to long on. 

Final ball of Ashish Nehra’s career: A low full toss outside off.

FOUR! Sodhi lofts Nehra over the mid off fielder.

Nehra bowls the last over of the match and last over of his cricket career. What a fairy tale conclusion to an illustrious career. The Kotla is reverberating with ‘Nehraji Nehraji’. The drummers are creating an incredible noise. What an atmosphere.

Ashish Nehra to bowl his final international over.

After 19 overs,New Zealand 142/8 ( Mitchell Santner 26 , Ish Sodhi 7)

Santner spoils Bumrah’s figures. Collects 16 off his final over.

A lot of people are leaving the ground already. This is now a foregone conclusion

SIX! And another. Bumrah tries to bowl a yorker but it ends up being  a full toss. Santner is happy to recieve it and tonk it over long on.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Santner clears his front leg and whips it between midwicket and long on.

After 18 overs,New Zealand 126/8 ( Mitchell Santner 13 , Ish Sodhi 4)

The wait for Nehra continues. Bhuvi will bowl this over. Oh hold on, what are we seeing? A few attempts to play the big shots. Scores a four and six off consecutive balls before taking a single off the final delivery.

SIX! Bowled on the pads and Santner flicks it effortlessly over square leg.

The tricolour is fluttering high. India almost there. The Kotla goes ‘Bhumroh Bhumroh, ’ in reference to the popular song from Mission Kashmir

FOUR! Bhuvi bowls too short for his liking and Santner pulls it over square leg.

After 17 overs,New Zealand 115/8 ( Mitchell Santner 2 , Ish Sodhi 4)

A 10-run over. But the required run rate is 30. 88 off 18 is the equation. The fans must be wanting to see Nehra bowl his final over.

FOUR! Streaky! Sodhi tried to defend one but edged it past the vacant slip cordon for a boundary.

OUT! New Zealand lose another. Southee was attempting to play the same shot and edged it to Dhoni. He walks back for 8.

FOUR! Southee goes back and pulls it over the bowler’s head for a boundary.

NZ are virtually dead and buried. Latham the inform batsman made 39 before being fooled by a Chahal googly and getting stumped. The 100 of NZ innings has taken 15.4 overs and 7 wickets. They are completely wiped out. The only interest in the match is another over for Nehra in his retirement match

After 16 overs,New Zealand 106/7 ( Mitchell Santner 1 , Tim Southee 4)

Apart from the four and the wicket, a funny incident made this over fun. The fourth ball hit Southee on his pad and rolled away towards fine leg. Nehra, being the fielder that he is, tried to stop the ball with his foot. But instead the ball lobs in the air and Nehra catches it to throw it back to the keeper. Southee edges the final ball over the first slip and the ball rolls away to the third man fence.

The advertisement that is a rage these days is on the big screen. ‘Bhabiji ghar par hai.. ’ goes the Kotla.

In an obvious reference to the popular TV serial by that name and ‘Virushka’ talks.

OUT! Final nail in the coffin! Latham dances down the track for a big shot but the ball spins away from Latham and Dhoni stumps him quite comfortably.

When Axar Patel performs well consistently in LOIs, it forces us to ask a question that is he better than Ravindra Jadeja? Is Jadeja done for the LOIs then?

The sixth Kiwi wicket down. The Kotla is going bonkers.

FOUR! Latham tries to slog but it takes the outside edge and runs away to the third man fence.

After 15 overs,New Zealand 95/6 ( Tom Latham (W) 35 , Mitchell Santner 0)

The equation is 113 off 36. Unless, something dramatic happens, the question now is when and not if India will win this match. They did get a boundary but other than that New Zealand scored only one run.

OUT! Nicholls is gone. He is not even waiting for the replays because that is how good Kohli’s throw was from mid off. Accurate and right on the mark. Nicholls run out for 6.

FOUR! Nicholls pulls it towards square leg. Shreyas Iyer runs towards the ball but it spins the wrong way and he misses it completely. Gestures the same to Kohli now. Both the captain and Bumrah afford a smile.

When Axar Patel performs well consistently in LOIs, it forces us to ask a question that is he better than Ravindra Jadeja? Is Jadeja done for the LOIs then?

Point…

Latham is composed, again topping the NZ run-scoring charts

Brain-fade is on display with rest of the team falling to Axar Patel darts!

After 14 overs,New Zealand 90/5 ( Tom Latham (W) 34 , Henry Nicholls 2)

Anohter six-run over. If the batsmen set up the game for India, the bowlers won it for them. A collective performance from the bowling department. The only thing which will make this match interesting for the Kotla crowd is if Nehra picks up a wicket in his final match.

This has been a really powerful performance from India. After the power batting the bowling and fielding has stood up well. The Kiwi batsmen needed to come good from the start. But the constant fall of wickets has pushed them back so far that only a miracle can save them

Axar Patel has got the reward for his economical bowling finally. He got another one as i write this. It’s a dream spell from him. He took two wickets and conceded only 20 runs from his four overs. It is palpable that India will now win their first T20I against New Zealand finally.

After 13 overs,New Zealand 84/5 ( Tom Latham (W) 30 , )

Axar to finish his quota. I am struggling to understand what was holding New Zealand back. But this over has put them in more trouble, in which Axar bagged two wickets and conceded four runs. Would be very difficult for New Zealand to bounce back now.  Axar’s figures: 4-0-20-2.

Another wicket. Dhawan takes the catch and shows his characteristic wrestling move. The crowd enacts it too. ‘Gaabbbarr Gaabbarrr, ’ the chant goes.

OUT! Golden duck for Colin de Grandhomme! He holes out to Dhawan in the deep. Axar collects his second.

Mistaking it as Test match, the Kiwis have dug in deep,

Just the 11 Indian fielders are awake while rest of the world has gone to sleep!

Bruce gone. This is falling apart for the Kiwis now. The end is nigh, one feels.

Tom Latham continues his good form and love affair with India. ‘Chal bhai Tom pyare, our ho jaa, ’ calls out a voice in the crowd. On a more serious note, Latham is the biggest hope for the Kiwis now, you feel. But it is going to be a miracle for the visitors to win from here, frankly.

OUT! Bruce’s busy innings comes to an end. Goes for a slog sweep. Gets the elevation but not the connection and Rohit Sharma takes a simple catch at deep midwicket. Bruce out for 10.

After 12 overs,New Zealand 80/3 ( Tom Latham (W) 27 , Tom Bruce 9)

Latham scores his first maximum and follows it up with a run. Chahal’s first delivery to Bruce: a wrong ‘un. Bruce defends it unconvincingly. Bruce sweeps ball four in front of square on the leg side. One run added to the total. Latham cross-bats the sixth delivery through midwicket for another single. 123 off 48. Possible?

Increasingly difficult for NZ.  They are crawling in relation to the required run rate. Currently they are at below 7 an over. and need around 15 an over for 9 overs

SIX! Chahal decides to go short. Chahal hangs back and pulls it over midwicket.

Nearly a run out. Dhoni allows the ball to pass through his legs and hit the stump. ‘India Gate banta hua Dhoni ke payaro ka, ’ says a voice on the crowd as the replay is shown on the screen. The batsman had just made his ground though.

After 11 overs,New Zealand 71/3 ( Tom Latham (W) 19 , Tom Bruce 8)

Axar continues. Bruce cuts the second ball to point for a run. They attempt a risky single on the third ball but completed it eventually. A single and brace follow. The over ends with a single to covers. I wonder, whether New Zealand are aware of the target they require. Another 6-run over.

After 10 overs,New Zealand 65/3 ( Tom Latham (W) 15 , Tom Bruce 6)

An expensive over, which also ended Williamson’s stay at the crease. Tom Bruce has showed more intent than any other New Zealand batsmen so far. Can he play a special innings here?

You can’t put Hardik Pandya away from the game for so long. He comes and takes a wicket of New Zealand skipper straightaway. New Zealand have not tried to play their shots and India have bowled so well and that has put India on top.

SIX! Lovely stroke! Bruce backs away and frees his arms to send the white object over point.

FOUR! Bad line from Pandya. The length was short and line was sixth stump, Latham cuts it over point.

Williamson back in hut, Indians making all the noise,

Crawl, Crawl, Crawl, Kiwis chasing this like a Tortoise!

Another wicket goes. Williamson out. It is bhangra time in the stands

OUT! Pandya is on a roll. He can do no wrong! First ball is short and wide, Williamson goes for a cut and eges it to Dhoni. He is disappointed with himself. Walks back for 28 off 24 balls.

After 9 overs,New Zealand 54/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 28 , Tom Latham (W) 10)

Axar starts with a dot. Latham goes for a reverse sweep on the second and Kohli makes a diving stop on the off side to stop three runs for his side. Williamson cuts the third ball through point. The fianl four balls go for four runs. New Zealand need 149 off 66. The required run rate is 13.55. Match slipping out of Kiwis’ control.

Kiwis on the backfoot after the loss of two early wickets. The asking rate is over 13 runs an over. They need some rapid partnerships to get back itno the match. Thus far India’s bowlers have done a splendid job, yielding just  six runs an over

Nehra gets hammered for a four. ‘Koi baat nahi Nehraji,  hota hai,  hota hai, ’ say the crowd. Kohli fails to hold on to a stiff chance. ‘Oohs and aahs’ again,  but the crowd seem very relaxed and might as well. New Zealand have a mountain to climb.

He was smart, he was accurate, he set up Munro with his guile,

Nothing beats Bhuvneshwar’s crushing yorkers and that lovely childish smile!

After 8 overs,New Zealand 48/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 24 , Tom Latham (W) 8)

Nehra is back for another spell. Bowls a full ball around off, Williamson punches it through mid on for a single. Latham opens the face of the bat and guides it down to third man for another run. New Zealand finally score a boundary. Next ball, Williamson charges down the track and tries to loft one over his opposite number Virat Kohli at mid off. Kohli leapt it in the air, got his finger tips to it but couldn’t hold on. The final three balls of the over: 2, 1, 1.

FOUR! Finally! Nehra drops it short. Williamson pulls it fine. Axar gives it a chase but comes second.

Meanwhile the supersoppers and ropes are out again to soak the dew as there is a break in the match.

After 7 overs,New Zealand 38/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 16 , Tom Latham (W) 6)

Initiates his spell with a slower one around off, Williamson taps it to point. Tosses the second ball around the same area, Williamson drills it through covers. Single taken. The asking rate is touching 13 now. But New Zealand don’t seem to care about it. Latham takes a single to deep square leg and Williamson returns the favour on the fourth ball. Latham goes for his trademark sweep on the fifth ball but it goes off his thigh pad to shortt fine leg. Leg bye taken. Axar dars a fast delivery on the last ball, Williamson push-drives it to covers for an easy single.

Something unbelievable is happening at the Kotla, which is sure to bring a smile to anybody’s face, and which possibly can only happen in Delhi. There are so many eager people standing up from their seats to get a better view of the match, that people at the back are having their view blocked. And guess what their response is!  They have started a chant ‘BYATH JAO,  BYATH JAOOOO,  BYATH JAO,  BYATH JAOOO, ’ and you suddenly have hundreds of people with that chant. No quarrel, no nuisance,  a special and friendly way to convince people. Those in the adjacent stands can’t hide their laughter. People taking their seats on the front rows brings about a tumultuous applause from those at the back.

Tom Latham was New Zealand’s best batsman in ODI series but does he have the ability of taking the game away from the opposition in no time while chasing a big target such as this in T20Is, too? Well, I don’t think so certainly.

After 6 overs,New Zealand 33/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 13 , Tom Latham (W) 5)

Ball one: Punched to covers by Williamson. New Zealand need to make a move now before the asking rate gets out of control. There it is, Williamson scores the much-needed maximum. Next ball as expected, opens the bat face and takes a single to third man. He wanted a single but there wasn’t one. Latham flicks the fourth ball aerially in front of square on the leg side and collects one. Final two balls of the Powerplay. Can New Zealand reach 40? No, they are not going for it. Williamson brings back Latham on strike with a run to third man. Bhuvi ends it beautifully. Moves one away sharply from Latham.

SIX! Innovative. Williamson kneels and scoops it over fine leg.

After 5 overs,New Zealand 24/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 5 , Tom Latham (W) 4)

Starts with a yorker. Williamson digs it out to mid on for a single. Drops the second ball short and Latham’s defensive shot pops towards Shreyas Iyer at point, but falls well short. Latham opens his account with a boundary. Bumrah jags one away from Latham to beat him on the outside. WIDE! Bumrah observed that Latham was shuffling across and tried to bowl at the leg stump but errs in line a bit. Ball five: full and on the stumps, Latham offers front foot defense. Latham taps the sixth delivery to point. Good over from Bumrah, only six off it.

If you want to improve yourself, you need to have some patience with hardwork and Bhuvnsehwar Kumar is the perfect example of it.

FOUR! Edged… but falls safe. Latham edges one past the first slip to get off the mark.

What a peach of a yorker from Bhuvi. Colin Munro bowled neck and crop by the beauty that went under his bat and cleaned him up. India in control of the powerplay overs.

Bhuvi cleans up Colin Munro. ‘Chal bhai, match khatam’ say some of the spectators. Williamson, Latham and Ross Tayor still to be contended with, I tell them. ‘Nahi, yaar New Zealand ab toh bilkul haaregi, ’ they insist.

Bumrah to bowl the fifth over.

After 4 overs,New Zealand 18/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 4 , Tom Latham (W) 0)

Bowling change! Bhuvi is into the attack. Begins with a dot ball. The second ball is in the fifth stump line, Williamson drives but fails to pierce the gap. New Zealand need boundaries! The third ball is on a length and Kane whips it off his pads for three. Bhuvi gives India another breakthrough! Tom Latham arrives at the crease. Keeps the line tight for Latham, keeps it on a length and around off, Latham defends it. He checks his drive on the final ball to short cover.

OUT! Caught by surprise there! Bhuvi slips in the yorker and Munro fails to dig it out. The white object disturbs his furniture. New Zealand lose another. Munro perishes for 7.

The trap was set and everything went to plan,

Hardik ran and ran and caught Guptill like a Superman,

Munro tried to flow in with the tide

But Hardik dropped it to complete a roller-coaster ride

Hardik Pandya did not present the emotional discipline while taking the catch of Colin Munro otherwise he could have taken it on most days after taking that breathtaking catch of Martin Guptill.

India have started their defence splendidly. 15 for 1 in 3 overs is as good as can be expected. The pressure is all on the Kiwis. Two useful overs by Nehra and 1 outstanding one by Chahal

SRT is watching it!

After 3 overs,New Zealand 15/1 ( Colin Munro 7 , Kane Williamson (C) 1)

Nehra steams in and angles one around leg, Munro shuffles across to help it over fine leg but edges it. Dhoni dives to his right and makes a good save. Williamson goes for a wild pull but misses it completely. Runs down the third ball to third man for an easy single. Hits the deck on the fourth ball, Munro punches it to covers. Oh hold on, it is a no ball. And no, Nehra didn’t overstep. I reckon, India had more than two fielders outside the circle. Munro lofts the Free Hit over covers but doesn’t time it well. Chahal gives it a cahse and saves two runs for his team. WIDE! Nehra bowls a bouncer and Munro fails to put bat to ball. Just as he turns, the umpire spreads his arms. Nehra is not amused but he will have to bowl it again. DROPPED! Losing his patience, Munro goes for a big shot over covers only to miscue it. Pandya gets under the ball but fails to hold onto it. That kind of day, isn’t it? He pouched a tough catch but put down a comparitively easy one. Munro wants to pull the final ball but fails!

Nearly another wicket. Pandya seems to be possessed by the spirit of Jonty Rhodes. Just fails to latch on.

The rise and rise of Yuzvendra Chahal in Indian cricket. A genuine wicket-taker! What a catch from Hardik Pandya though.

What a brilliant catch by Pandya running to his right at long off.. He dived to his right and plucked the catch in spectacular fashion off the bowling of Chahal. Chahal opened the bowling when there was still some grip in the seam of the new ball and it paid off  7 for 1 in 2 overs.

Lots of ‘oohs and aahs’ as Dhoni fails to latch on to a tough chance. ‘Koi baat nahi, wicket aayegi aayegi,’ Kotla conforts their heroes.

After 2 overs,New Zealand 7/1 ( Colin Munro 2 , Kane Williamson (C) 0)

A slip deployed. Starts with a full ball around leg, Munro clips it through midwicket for a single. Flights the second delivery, Guptill looks to drive but inside edges it onto the pitch. Thanks to a splendid catch from Pandya, Guptill departs for 4. Munro tucks the fourth ball through midwicket to bring his skipper on strike, who defends his first two deliveries.

Meanwhile the first Kiwi wicket is down. A catch by Pandya right out of Rhodes’s book. ‘Bhai kya liya, ’ is the general refrain around the ground. And it is the dangerman Guptill who is out.

OUT! Outstanding catch. This could very well be the difference between India and New Zealand. Remember, the Kiwis dropped a few. Guptill lofts one over the bowler’s head and Pandya hared across from long off and took a spectacular diving catch. He really is a whole package! Simply marvellous. The Kotla is buzzing!

‘Ashish Nehra bowling from Ashish Nehra end’. Have you seen anything like this before? Pretty unique, isn’t it?

Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl from the other end.

After 1 overs,New Zealand 5/0 ( Martin Guptill 4 , Colin Munro 0)

Nehra starts with a length ball, outside off, Guptill leaves it alone. Ball two is wide and NZ are away with an extra. Another good length ball from Nehra, Guptill tries to punch it away but doesn’t connect well. The fourth delivery is a short of a length, outside off, Guptill cuts it but falls short of Pandey at point. Smart adjustment from Guptill to score his first boundary. The ball five is a dot. Gutpill punches the sixth ball straight to cover-point.

FOUR! Changed the shot at the last minute. Guptill wanted to send it over covers, but realised the ball was slow and flat batted it past the bowler.

Big day for a veteran, the emotional moment is near,

An ageless wonder will sign off with a glorious career
 
No more jokes please, this is a request sincere,
 
Need an early wicket? Don’t panic because Nehraji is here

Phew! Hardly a 10-minute break and the players are back on the field. Nehra to bowl the first over. Guptill on strike. Here we go… .

Quick breather after some insane and belligerent hitting. The Indian top order went all guns blazing striking some jaw-dropping shots, NZ bowlers might say there was a lot of dew, which might be true. (No, I am not the one writing the Kavitas that you see on the blog today) The Kiwis have a formidable batting line up to chase this down and a lot will depend on their players who have the reputation of big-hitters!

In for some chase.

NZ left the door open for Rohit-Dhawan to run riot 

Forget butter chicken from now on Kiwi fruit is the perfect diet.

Finally some time to catch our breath. It has been a top class batting performance by India. I talk to a few members of the crowd. Nearly all of them dismiss New Zealand’s chances in this match. Some confidence that!

The highest target successfully chased by New Zealand in T20Is is 201 which they chased it against Zimbabwe at Hamilton in 2012.

Right then 202/3 is what India put up. A mammoth total without a doubt. The capacity crowd at the Kotla is extremely happy. They can sense an Indian victory already. But bit of caution is advised,  especially when you know that there is a gentleman named Martin Guptill who would be walking out soon.

India have a really good total in hand. The dew fall will make it tough for the Indian bowlers. But an asking rate over 10 runs an over through 20 overs will always be tough. India also have packed the side with 6 bowlers. They have a good total to bowl at. They need to deliver.

The 20th over: Virat Kohli hits the first ball for a six and then Dhoni hits his first ball for a mammoth maximum and India are up and running. The crowd got what they wanted. 203 will be a challenging task for New Zealand.

After 20 overs,India 202/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 26 , MS Dhoni (W) 7)

Courtesy to couple of sixes from the captain and MS Dhoni propels India over the 200-mark. NZ bowlers will breathe a sigh of relief that their time in the middle is over. Clearly not the easiest place to bowl. Southee did well not go for more than two sixes in the over. As Kohli and Dhoni could only get 1,2 and 1 off the last three balls.

Magnificent scenes as India reach 200..

And Dhoni sends one into the stands…

SIX! DHHHOOONNNII! Gets off the mark with a huge six. Length ball and Dhoni bludgeoneds it over wide long on.

SIX! Kohli walks and whips it over mid wicket nonchalantly. Wristy flick is all it needed

After 19 overs,India 185/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 16 , )

Can India get to 200? Kohli will take the strike in thewe first ball of the final over. Mammoth over for India, they have tonked 17 runs off it.

OUT! Rohit has to go after a lot of confusion! First umpires reviewed it and was deemed not out and then Williamson asked for it and was finally given. We’re been told thatumpire’s wanted to check whether keeper caught it cleanly or not

FOUR! Rohit is lucky here! He has been lucky couple of times! Rohit looked to play this through the onside, finds the thick edge which carries over the short third man

SIX! My word! Kohli has played an unbelievable shot! Straight bat and it goes over deep square leg for a mighy six!

The excitement among the crowd as Kohli goes for full monty has to be seen to believe.

Boult to bowl the penultimate over

De Grandhomme tries a cutter, but Kohli dispatches him over the ropes. Defeaning ‘Koohli Koohli’ chants. The drummers are going berserk. Meanwhile another dropped catch. Guptill this time of all people. What is happening to the Kiwis?

After 18 overs,India 174/2 ( Rohit Sharma 76 , Virat Kohli (C) 9)

Would you believe it! Kohli has been dropped! Third catch tonight. And it one of the better fielders in the world, Martin Guptill who has put down a catch that was dying on him. Kohli survives. Hard to get over the six he had struck couple of balls ago

SIX! KOHLLLIII! Goodness me! Kohli gets inside the line and then the slams it over long on. All bottom hand in it

Finally, a wicket and the Kiwi fans beam,

Dhawan departs, Hardik Pandya too loses his steam,

Two wickets in an over, Sodhi must be feeling like a dream,

But please for ‘F**k Sake’ let go of your ‘dropping’ regime!

FOUR! Rohit sits down again and laps it over fine leg fielder again, not of the middle of the bat but beats the short fine leg fielder. Replays suggest it was off the top edge.

After 17 overs,India 160/2 ( Rohit Sharma 71 , Virat Kohli (C) 1)

Brilliant over by Sodhi! Two wickets and two runs off it. He bowls the wrong’un first up to Kohli, who gets off the mark with a single to square leg. Sodhi finishes his spell for 25 runs in four overs with two wickets to his name.

‘Sharmaji kis record ke peeche bhaag rahe ho? ’ asks a voice in the crowd in an obvious reference to Rohit Sharma.

Pandya is out and again the ‘Koohhli, Koohhli’ chants begin. Some ‘Dhooni, Dhooni’ chants too. The Indian captain finally strides into the colloseum.

Terrific opening stand broken . Dhawan’s excellent innings of 80 has put India on a very good path. Dhawan was caught behind off Sodhi, as was Hardik Pandya two balls later. Wonderful wickets!

OUT! Hard-hitting Hardik has to walk back for duck! Pair of Latham and Sodhi again. NZ strike twice in three balls.

The stand of 158 runs between Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma was the sixth highest in T20Is. The highest is of 171* runs between Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson came at Hamilton in 2016 against Pakistan.

Dhawan is out and almost immediately ‘Koohhli Kooohli’ chants begin. The chants are getting defeaning now,  but what’s this?  Hardik Pandya strides in. Expected though,  one feels. Kotla braces itself for some fireworks at the end…

OUT! Ish Sodhi has finally broken the opening partnership. Dhawan’s carnage at last comes to an end. But NZ cannot breathe easy as Hardik Pandya is walking out to bat. Sodhi sees Dhawan coming down and he bowls it short and wide. Latham does well to collect and whip off the bails

Down to the fag end of the innings. Indian innings flying. A target over 200 is eminently possible at this rate

This is now the highest stand against New Zealand in T20Is. The previous highest was 143* by Michael Lumb and Alex Hales at Wellington in 2013.

After 16 overs,India 158/0 ( Rohit Sharma 70 , Shikhar Dhawan 80)

It is raining sixes and fours. Boult has been under fire today and India take 18 runs off the over. How many are India looking at?

FOUR! Dhawan smashes it straight past Boult, mid-off inside the ring and that’s gone quickly

The Kiwi bowlers are getting a real beating at the hands of the Indian opening pair. The evergreen ‘Jeetega bhai jeetega India jeetega’ chants already. ‘Bahut maar liya Gabbar,  Kohli ko aane de, ’ says a voice in the crowd though. India going at a rollicking near 10 runs per over.

FOUR! Dhawan shuffles and whips it wide of short fine leg.

This is the second instance of both Indian openers scoring 50-plus runs in a same T20I. The other instance came when Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag did the same at Durban in 2007 against England.

Rohit Sharma joins the party with the big hitting in the 14th over. Santner slammed for a six and 2 fours by Rohit as he ups the scoring rate. India really stepping on it now.

SIX! Outrageous. Rohit plants his front foot across and scoops it over fine leg fence

This is now the highest stand for any wicket for India in T20Is. The previous highest was 138 between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at Dharamsala in 2015 for the second wicket.

Boult comes back on!

After 15 overs,India 140/0 ( Rohit Sharma 61 , Shikhar Dhawan 71)

Rohit is on fire! No respite for the NZ bowlers! Rohit is set and he looks set to get a big one. Williamson is running out of ideas now. The bowlers look depleted and the opener pair is enjoying every bit off it.

FOUR! Rohit takes it on the full and make that three consecutive boundaries

FOUR! Rohit’s faked his movements and smartly done. Looked to come down the pitch forcing Santner to pull the length back, and then rocking back to hit it through the covers.

FIFTY! A maximum to get to his 12th T20I half-century! Over the long on boundary. Played second fiddle to Dhawan but we all know what he can do once he gets his eye in.

Shikhar is in full flow, Shikhar is eyeing ton

Highest score in T20Is has the Kiwis on the run

Rohit, at the other end, smartly getting the job done

Shikhar THE ONE is having all the fun

After 14 overs,India 125/0 ( Rohit Sharma 46 , Shikhar Dhawan 71)

Easy five singles off the first five balls and then a thumping six off the last ball off the over. These two are in the zone. 200 very much on the cards! Brutal hitting!

SIX!  Woah! WHATTAY HIT! Slower ball by De Grandhomme and that has been clubbed by Dhawan. He  has absolutely mowed it over mid wicket. Cracking shot!

After 13 overs,India 114/0 ( Rohit Sharma 43 , Shikhar Dhawan 63)

High quality batting by both the openers! Attacking from the first ball and then when the pressure is on the bowler they take easy singles. 14 runs off the over. Sodhi who had couple of superb overs is now feeling the heat of some outrageous batting.

This innings is the reason India like to pick Dhawan in spite of the stats.. When he gets going, he produces a big one.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 1, 2017

Dhawan and Rohit are really laying in on the Kiwi bowlers now, especially Dhawan with his slog sweeps. India should target at least 10 runs every over from now on to set up a challenging target

When Shikhar Dhawan is in the mood, he makes sure that he wins a match for his team on his own. He is such an impact player.

Indian opening pairs with a century stand in T20Is:

Virender Sehwag-Gautam Gambhir
Mandeep Singh-KL Rahul
ROHIT SHARMA/SHIKHAR DHAWAN*

Okay then. Eight overs left. 100 already on the board.  All wickets intact. 200 on the cards?

FOUR! Moves across and goes over the short fine leg fielder and into the long leg boundary.

SIX! Short in length and Dhawan has smashed that over mid wicket fence. Crowd goes beserk.

After 12 overs,India 100/0 ( Rohit Sharma 40 , Shikhar Dhawan 52)

Six singles off Santner’s over. Indian openers complete 100-run stand. Dhawan completes a scntillianting half-century. Surprising the spinners have bowled well so far.

Fifty for the home boy Dhawan. The Kotla explodes in excitement. The drummers meanwhile are having a field day.

FIFTY! Shikhar Dhawan has lit the stage with a spectacular half-century off just 37 balls.

Dhawan’s aggression has kept the innings going. He has scored a overwhelming share of the runs in the 94 runs at the end of 11 overs. There is a lot of batting left so ideal for Rohit too to start going for the big hits. He is a very capable batsman and will open out soon.

‘Into the orbit, ’ says the big screen as Rohit goes big and clears the ropes. India are turning on the heat now. 94 off 11 without loss is a fantastic start.

Most sixes by Indian players in T20 cricket:

266 – ROHIT SHARMA*

265 – S Raina

244 – Yuvraj Singh

226 – MS Dhoni

221-  Yusuf Pathan

After 11 overs,India 94/0 ( Rohit Sharma 37 , Shikhar Dhawan 49)

Rohit catching up with Dhawan now! Smacked a six and boundary of Munro’s over, just about anything these two will go after it. India moving towards 100 and Dhawan on brink off another half-century.

Kiwis are helpless, with ideas very few,

Cruising and coasting are the in-form Men in Blue

Desperate for help, hoping for someone to rescue,

Kiwis’ biggest nemesis right now is that B****y F*****g Dew!

SIX! Rohit goes after this one. The white orb soars high in the air taking an eternity to descend more importantly it has the distance to clear the fence, not that it is a long boundary

Shikhar Dhawan has got the Delhi crowd going so far while Rohit Sharma is not looking in T20 mode. It will be really difficult for a new batsman to come and hit straightaway on this pitch.

Colin Munro has been brought into the attack

After 10 overs,India 80/0 ( Rohit Sharma 25 , Shikhar Dhawan 47)

Ish Sodhi has been splendid. Stemming the run-flow and holding one end. He needs support. Dhawan looked to hoick one through mid wicket, charged down the pitch to pick it on the full but the wily leg spinner was upto the task adjusting to the line and length not giving anything away. Though India take six off it.

Is this a sign of things to come? Colin de Grandhomme bowled not one but two high full tosses — illegal deliveries that were no-balled and free hits given.  Should get increasingly tough for bowlers and fielders with all the dew on the field.

After 9 overs,India 74/0 ( Rohit Sharma 22 , Shikhar Dhawan 44)

What an eventful over this has been. A couple of high full toss, so much so that umpire had to warn the bowler and it isn’t express pace. Shows the amount of dew in Delhi and as both captains mentioned it at the toss. Dhawan is being severe on slightest of mistakes, another over in India’s favour.

FOUR! Sizzling shot! Dhawan making full use of his second life. Full ball is hammered through the covers.

FOUR! Knuckle ball goes wrong! May good! Clearly there is a lot of dew at Delhi. This has gone over Rohit Sharma head and over Tom Latham’s too.  No-ball and four. Sharma to face the free hit delivery

This is the first fifty-plus stand between Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma in 12 T20I innings. The last such stand came before today was against Sri Lanka at Ranchi in 2016.

Rohit struggling to up the scoring rate. Surprising because he is the batsman in rocking form. 18 in 21 balls in not T20 style. He needs to be a lot more aggressive as innings approaches half-way mark

De Grandhomme starts round the wicket to Dhawan

There is turn, there is bounce still the Rohit-Dhawan threat lingers,

But there is no use of the assistance if you keep having butterfingers!

Get your acts together and start putting in those dives,

You are way better than this, so stop giving them the lives!

After 8 overs,India 56/0 ( Rohit Sharma 18 , Shikhar Dhawan 36)

Short ball to begin with and Dhawan rocks back to smack it through mid wicket, but with the fielding restrictions lifted there is protection in the deep. Rohit hits it back to the bowler for a dot ball and the third ball turned square beating Sharma on the sweep. Couple of singles make it three runs of the over. A good first over by Sodhi, varying in speed and mixing it up with the googly too.

Dhawan and Rohit have both ridden on dropped catches, so uncharacteristic of Kiwi fielding. Simple catches both. Has dew fall already started to make catching tough? If so it can only get worse. India coasting at near 8 runs an over

And Tim Southee drops Rohit Sharma at long-off. It was a sitter. New Zealand might have to pay heavy price for it and nothing is going their way honestly. Colin de Grandhomme’s first over was an ideal example of how to bowl on this deck.

The supersoppers are out again to soak up the dew. Ropes are being used too.

Leg spin. Ish Sodhi comes into the attack.

Right then, 46 off the first 6 overs when the field restrictions were on. India have not run away in the powerplay overs, but have a solid foundation now. The average score batting first during this year’s IPL was a bit over 180 and India will be eyeing that. Meanwhile another catch grassed. Very un-New Zealand-like. Dhawan adds insult to injury with a four immediately after.

After 7 overs,India 53/0 ( Rohit Sharma 17 , Shikhar Dhawan 34)

India pass the 50-run mark in the over. Southee spills a simple chance at long off. NZ fielders haven’t supported their bowlers at all here. Three singles and a boundary means India take seven of the seventh over.

Santner getting a bit of turn. But Indian spinners may not get that sort of purchase as dew fall in Delhi at this time of the year could alter things for them. Gripping the ball too could be tough. Thus important for India to run up huge total and set stiff target.

FOUR! Dhawan gets down on one knee to play it past the fine leg fielder. He is toying with the field settings.

Colin de Grandhomme is given the ball for the 7th over

India have made a decent start by scoring nearly eight runs per over from the first five overs but Rohit Sharma could have played more freely like Dhawan as India still have a lot of firepower left in their tank.

After 6 overs,India 46/0 ( Rohit Sharma 16 , Shikhar Dhawan 28)

The last ball of the over went for a boundary and spoiled a very fine over from Mitchell Santner. First ball showed that there is some purchase in the wicket. Santner sees Dhawan coming down the track and alters his length at the last minute almost bowling a wide bouncer. Some grip in the wicket beats Rohit Sharma too.

FOUR! Beautiful shot by Rohit Sharma! Wonderful use of the feet, goes inside out over the covers and the ball bounces a couple of tiumes before crashing into the hoardings.

Santner is back for the last over of the Powerplay.

After 5 overs,India 38/0 ( Rohit Sharma 11 , Shikhar Dhawan 25)

Southee’s slower ball goes down the leg side and is rightly called wide. A boundary every over is mounting pressure on the Kiwis and Williamson will have to alter his plans or needs to think differently. Needs to get in couple of quiet overs.

FOUR! Through Ish Sodhi’s hands! Rare poor fielding from NZ side. Again Southee gave the southpaw some width and he goes after it

Dear Santner, you don’t drop Dhawan when he is in blistering form

Yes, this is well known and a universal norm

Never allow Rohit-Dhawan to set a solid platform,

India off to a flier now get ready for the storm

Santner bowled a fine over. But it is pace from both ends. Runs flowing off the pacers with local boy Dhawan taking the lead in going for runs

After 4 overs,India 30/0 ( Rohit Sharma 9 , Shikhar Dhawan 20)

Dhawan is off to a flyer! He is in some mood already. Timing it sweetly. Couple of boundaries and a single helps India garner nine runs of the over.

Do not forget that we have 60 yard boundaries at Kotla today so we will get to witness many sixes and that Rohit Sharma six was the first of many.