Highlights, India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I at Hamilton, Full Cricket Score: Kiwis win thriller by 4 runs, take series 2-1

Kane Williamson, New Zealand captain: Brilliant series. Incredible advert for T20 cricket.  It’s great to get across the line tonight. Credit to India they have been outstanding throughout the whole series. I think it was a short series, with the first game being our best performance and some learnings in the second as we expected India to come hard. Both teams put in strong performances tonight, we did slightly better. Not really (on post-win celebrations) We travel-train-play and straight into the next series against Bangladesh, that’s the nature and schedule of international cricket but the guys are looking forward to it

Rohit Sharma: It’s disappointing to not cross the finishing line. 210-odd was always going to be tough, and we were in the game right till the end, but New Zealand held their nerve well and they deserved to win. We started off well in the ODIs, and the boys will be disappointed not getting to the finishing line in the T20s. Lots of positives, and a few mistakes, so there’s a lot of material to move ahead.

Seifert: Great to have a performance like that, but it’s great to get a vicotry in the end, particularly a last-minute one like that. Enjoyed batting with Colin Munro at the top. It’s awesome in my hometown, that the crowd have come out in full support – hopefully they do so for the SuperSmash final as well.

Colin Munro, MoM: Everyone did a really good job of finishing off against the good Indian batting line-up. Didn’t really focus on trying to do anything different, tried to put pressure back on the bowlers. Just came out nice and free, had a bit of luck, which you certainly need in this match.

Tim Seifert is the Player of the Series

Colin Munro is the Man of the Match

Will be a big point of discussion

Brilliant hitting by DK but small mistakes have a big effect on the result in T20s. Was a mistake to not take that single with Krunal at the other end.#IndVsNZ

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 10, 2019

Two close finishes, both not ending in India’s favour

Today at Hamilton...
India Women needed 16 runs of the last six balls (made 13)
India Men needed 16 runs of the last six balls (made 11)#NZvInd

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 10, 2019

Finishes it off with a six DK… but those two dots changed things. India’s unbeaten tour is broken. They finally lose a series, but won’t be too disheartened with this effort. Lots of tickmarks for them. New Zealand, well, they will be happy to show they can complete at home and putting 200 on the board twice in three matches should inspire confidence ahead of the World Cup. 

It’s been a long tour and now it is time to sign off. See you on the road some time as we are counting down to the 2019 World Cup!!

This is India’s first bilateral T20I series defeat after not losing nine bilateral T20I series (seven won and two drawn).

Most T20Is lost by India against an opposition:

8 – New Zealand*

7 – England

6 – Australia

New Zealand clinch the series with a four-run win in the third T20I at Hamilton.

Excellent final over by Southee. With 16 needed, gives away just five from first five balls. DK launches a six off the lat ball. But it was too little too late.

After 20 overs,India 208/6 ( Dinesh Karthik 33 , Krunal Pandya 26)

Horrible decision making from DK here. First, didn’t play for the wide and got close to it, and then didn’t trust his partner to finish things off, or help him finish things off. Two dots in the last over and India now primed to lose unless there’s an extra.

Southee to bowl the final over

After 19 overs,India 197/6 ( Dinesh Karthik 24 , Krunal Pandya 25)

Dot ball. One single. Then DK whacks Kuggeleijn for a six over square leg with a well-timed pull. Another single. Dot ball as Krunal is beaten with an off-cutter. Final ball — Krunal launches a big six as he picks the length ball to smoke it miles down the ground. 16 needed off 6.

DK and Krunal have turned this on its head… India haven’t let go off their momentum despite the wickets. Four sixes and two fours in the last three overs. Superb hitting this. 16 off 6 needed now.

SIX! Exactly what India needed. 50 partnership up. Lovely shot. Pitched up and Krunal smokes it straight, high and deep

SIX! Lovely shot. DK picks the length ball early, transfers his weight on the backfooot and creams it through square leg

Kuggeleijn comes into attack

After 18 overs,India 183/6 ( Dinesh Karthik 17 , Krunal Pandya 18)

Big over as Krunal gets into the act. Slams the length ball with a wild slice over extra cover for a six, gets an inside edge to fine leg boundary attempting a slog on leg side and then whacks the waist-high full-toss from Southee over cover for a boundary. 18 off the over. 30 needed in 12 balls.

Kudos to the IPL for the talent pool and the depth in the Indian side

India's batting this game is a tribute to what the IPL has done for their cricket. Win or lose doesn't matter, but what an approach. Batting all the way down to 8, when was that ever true for India?

— Nitin Sundar🎙️✒️🎦 (@knittins) February 10, 2019

FOUR! Southee is rattled. Bowls a full toss and Krunal slaps it over cover for a boundary

FOUR! Krunal clear his leg for a big hoick through leg but gets the inside edge and it runs to the fine leg boundary

Blazing partnership between these two. 41 off 18 now and this is very doable in the T20 era. DK could come back into this with his own attacking play.

SIX! Back of length ball and Krunal smokes it over extra-cover with a powerful slap

Southee comes into attack

After 17 overs,India 166/6 ( Dinesh Karthik 16 , Krunal Pandya 2)

10 runs from the over but India need more from it. Precisely 48 in 18. Karthik launches the first ball half-volley over long-off for a massive six but only three more singles added after that along with a leg bye and a wide.

SIX! What a mighty six. Half-volley outside off and DK gets into the position early to launch it over long-off

Tickner returns to attack

After 16 overs,India 154/6 ( Dinesh Karthik 9 , Krunal Pandya 0)

India lose Dhoni now. He sees an opportunity with the length ball outside off but doesn’t find the timing as it is taken by Southee at long-on. DK brings up a six with a wild swing off short ball from Mitchell.

And Dhoni is gone. India looking to go down now, unless DK pulls a rabbit out of his cricket helmet.

SIX! Lovely shot from DK. Picks the short ball well as he produces a brilliant swing of the bat to get a six

Krunal Pandya comes out to bat

OUT! Dhoni goes behind the length ball on off, clears his leg and launches it to long-on but didn’t find the timing as Southee takes the catch.

Dhoni c Southee b Daryl Mitchell 2(4). India 145/6.

After 15 overs,India 145/5 ( MS Dhoni (W) 2 , Dinesh Karthik 0)

Excellent over for Kiwis from Kuggeleijn. Two singles each for Dhoni and Pandya and then the wicket. Pandya trying to play the short ball, moves wide but he’s cramped up and gives away a catch at extra-cover. The bat also goes out of his hand to fall behind him.

Dinesh Karthik comes out to bat

Two more ground invaders and even India’s head security man gets involved. Local policemen have a long night ahead of them.

Bat flies out of hand, caught and taken after a miss hit from Hardik. Indian wickets coming after a few slam bangs… getting regular this. Can DK stem the downslide?

Lowest SR for Rohit Sharma in a T20I innings: (Min. 30 balls faced)

106.66 v England, Manchester, 2018 (30 balls)
112.72 v WI, Dhaka, 2014 (55 balls)
115.55 v Ireland, Nottingham, 2009 (45 balls)
118.75 v New Zealand, Hamilton, 2019* (32 balls)

OUT! India lose Pandya! What was that? Pandya makes a mess of the short ball. Pandya shuffles across but the ball follows him as he’s cramped up for space and gives away a catch at extra-cover. The bat flies out of hand behind wicket.

Hardik Pandya c Williamson b Kuggeleijn 21(11). India 145/5.

Kuggeleijn comes into attack

MS Dhoni comes out to bat

After 14 overs,India 141/4 ( Hardik Pandya 19 , )

Two big shots from Pandya. 13 runs from the over but India lose Rohit. Pandya slams the full toss from Mitchell to mid-wicket boundary before launching the full ball over straight boundary. Rohit loses his wicket trying to chase a wide and short ball as he edges it to keeper. India need 72 in last 6 overs.

Is that the turning point? Even as Hardik was building on Pant’s momentum, Rohit is caught behind. Could be the dismissal New Zealand were looking for. Dhoni walks in.

OUT! Mitchell removes Rohit. The uncharacteristic innings comes to an end with an edge to the keeper. But he played the innings of the anchor, should have stayed till the end. It was wide and short from Mitchell as Rohit tried to reach it away from body, edging it to keeper.

Rohit c Seifert b Daryl Mitchell 38(32). India 141/4.

India’s record while chasing 200-plus targets in T20Is before today:

Matches – 5
Won – 2 
Lost – 3

SIX! What a shot! Pitched right in front of Pandya as he smokes it straight down the ground

FOUR! Not the ideal ball against Pandya. Full toss on pads and Pandya flicks it through mid-wicket

After 13 overs,India 128/3 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 37 , Hardik Pandya 7)

The required rate does the job for Kiwis as Tickner removes Pant. It was a full toss and Pant finds Williamson at the edge of 30-yard circle at mid-wicket with his wild swing. Pandya comes on and slams a six first ball, seizing the opportunity of short ball as he whacks it over mid-wicket.

Pant could have smacked that ball into the orbit, he chose mid wicket

Brillaint catch by Williamson but Pant will be disappointed he couldn’t take advantage of a full toss. Trend of play has transformed in just couple of overs. India have big hitters Pandya, DK and MSD to chase but Rohit will have to bat thru

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 10, 2019

SIX! Quite a way to start the innings. Banged in short by Tickner as Pandya gets on back foot to slam it over mid-wicket

Pant smashes one straight to midwicket. Will it puncture India’s momentum? Hardik Pandya says no and smashes the ball straight into the crowd at midwicket.

Hardik Pandya comes into attack

OUT! Tickner gets his first wicket. Scoreboard pressure does the job. Ticker throws a full toss which Pant plays staright to Willaimson at mid-wicket circle with a sweep.

 Pant c Williamson b Tickner 28(12). IND 121/3.

After 12 overs,India 120/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 36 , Rishabh Pant 28)

Good first over for Mitchell. Bowling cutters at slower pace, not allowing the batsmen to use the pace of the ball to play their shots. Just five off the over. India need 93 more in 48 balls to win.

Daryl Mitchell comes into attack

After 11 overs,India 115/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 33 , Rishabh Pant 26)

Excellent over compared to the carnage in previous overs. No loose deliveries offered by debutant Tickner to allow batsmen to free their hands. Seven runs added.

Pant now blowing things up in Hamilton. India have fired ahead of the required run rate. This is some innings and will put him in better contention for the World Cup.

Tickner comes into attack

Comparison after 10 overs:

New Zealand : 96/1
India : 108/2

After 10 overs,India 108/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 29 , Rishabh Pant 23)

Two big sixes in the over and Pant has now raced to 23 off 6. Picks the googly from Sodhi in time to blast it over long-on boundary. Couple of singles and then another towering six as he lofts the tossed up ball to straight boundary. 16 off the over.

SIX! Pant is in a hurry here. Another looping full pitched ball from Sodhi and Pants gets down on his knees to launch it over long-on boundary

Rishabh Pant’s SR in T20Is:

Batting first : 105.97
Chasing : 135.18

SIX! Brilliant shot. It was a googly from Sodhi. Pant read it early as he slammed over long-on

After 9 overs,India 92/2 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 27 , Rishabh Pant 10)

Big over for India! 16 runs off it but Shankar departs. He gets a four through cover but then the timing betrays him through the slog sweep as CDG takes the catch at mid-wicket. Paint joins the party and goes on attack from first ball. Slog sweeps the first ball to fine leg for a four and the other one to mid-wicket for a six.

And now Rishabh Pant… Hamilton’s majorly Indian sell out crowd are in for some fireworks…

Vijay Shankar almost changed the single-handedly. His knock has helped ease pressure off Rohit Sharma about not accelerating. Kept the scoring up and kept things moving. Now Rohit can do his thing. India starting to go through the gears here.

SIX! Another slog sweep as he targets the mid-wicket area. This one was huge

FOUR! First ball four for Pant. Gets down on his knees to sweep it past short fine leg

Rishabh Pant comes out ot bat

OUT! Santner gets the wicket of Shankar. He goes for another slog sweep, didn’t get the timing this time as CDG took the catch at mid-wicket.

Shankar c de Grandhomme b Santner 43(28)

FOUR! Excellent shot through the covers for a boundary

After 8 overs,India 76/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 25 , Vijay Shankar 39)

Spin from both ends now as Sodhi joins attack. His tossed up delivery temptation hasn’t work in the first over though as Shankar smashed two consecutive sixes. Picks one from off over cover and then from middle and leg over mid-wicket. 14 off the over.

SIX! Two in two! This time on leg. Tossed up delivery and Shankar slog-sweeps it over mid-wicket

SIX! Effortless shot! Sodhi misses his length, goes full and Shankar whacks it through cover

The required rate slowly creeping towards 12 runs an over

One batsman has to throw caution to the winds. Has to be Vijay Shanker

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 10, 2019

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi comes into attack

After 7 overs,India 62/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 24 , Vijay Shankar 26)

Santner returns to attack after the first over and gives away five runs. Four singles and a wide. No wicket this time though. The required rate is now 11.63.

Santner returns to attack

After 6 overs,India 57/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 22 , Vijay Shankar 24)

Eight from the over. Shankar brings up a four as he smacks the wide and short delivery of Kuggeleijn down the ground. The partnership between the duo is now worth 51. Powerplay over. India need 156 more in 16 overs.

FOUR! Kuggeleijn offers width and Shankar accepts it happily as he launches a shot down the ground without any foot movement

After 5 overs,India 49/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 19 , Vijay Shankar 19)

Two beautiful shots by Rohit in the over. First, comes out of the crease and whacks Southee through the cover. Forces Southee to change his length and then uses his deft touch, with late cut to run the ball to third man boundary.

Clever ploy from New Zealand here. Lack of pace on the ball is their watchword. Lot of variation from Southee in that regard. Rohit content to play for time at the moment but now Southee has been hit for boundaries… evens!

FOUR! Lovely shot by Rohit. Waits for the ball as he opens the face of the bat late to run it down to third man ropes

FOUR! Excellent shot. Rohit steps out, converting the length ball into half-volley, and creams it through cover

Tim Southee comes into attack

After 4 overs,India 38/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 10 , Vijay Shankar 17)

Rohit tucks the first ball to fine leg for a single. Shankar collects two with a glance followed by a wide for height. Shankar then chips the short and wide ball over backward point to the ropes. Single on last ball. Nine off the over.

FOUR! There’s no room for any error. A bit outside off and short as Shankar chips it over backward point

Rohit Sharma’s scores in the third match of a T20I series before today:

52, 13, 8, 27, 11, 100*, 4, 23

Pacer Blair Tickner on debut comes into attack

After 3 overs,India 29/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 9 , Vijay Shankar 10)

Kuggeleijn starts off with three singles and then strays onto Shankar’s pads as he flicks it to square leg for a four. A dot ball and then Shankar slams the full delivery on last ball to long-on ropes. 11 off the over.

FOUR! Pitched up and Shankar lunches it over Kuggeleijn’s head to with venom to long-on boundary

FOUR! Poor delivery from Kuggeleijn. On the pads as Shankar flicks it with powerful wrists to square leg boundary

Scott Kuggeleijn comes into attack

After 2 overs,India 18/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 7 , Vijay Shankar 1)

A less exciting over than the last one still Rohit gets a four to keep the scoreboard ticking. Opens the bat of the face late off length ball from Southee to guide it to third man ropes. Seven off the over.

FOUR! Well played by Rohit. Opens the face of the bat late and guides the length ball from Southee to third man boundary

Tim Southee comes into attack

After 1 overs,India 11/1 ( Rohit Sharma (C) 1 , Vijay Shankar 0)

Dhawan got off the mark in style with a four as he slapped the short and wide delivery from Santner through cover but loses his wicket with a poor shot. Goes for a slog-sweep but lack of timing results in a catch at square leg. 5 wides as well in the over from Santner. 11 from first over.

Vijay Shankar comes out to bat

Out. What India feared has happened. Dhawan holes out to square leg. Superb thinking this from New Zealand to take off the pace and attack Dhawan. It has worked! India are one down early!

The highest target successfully chased by India in T20Is is 207 which they chased against Sri Lanka at Mohali in 2009. Interestingly, no team has ever won more matches than India while chasing – 37 in T20Is.

OUT! India lose Dhawan in the first over. Slog-sweep goes wrong as he ends up giving a catch to Mitchell at square leg. Poor shot as there was fielder in the deep. 

Dhawan c Daryl Mitchell b Santner 5(4) . India 6/1.

FOUR! Dhawan off the mark with a boundary. Short and wide by Santner and Dhawan throws his bat to cut it through cover

Welcome back! India have a daunting target of 213 in front of them for win in 3rd T20I. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma are at the crease. Dhawan on strike. Mitch Santner to bowl the first over.

New Zealand’s total of 212/4 today,

– Their second highest against India in T20Is

– Highest at Seddon Park, Hamilton in T20Is

India have been set a stiff total of 213 and with the series on the line, this could be a high-pressure chase. NZ made most of the dimension of the ground with ball flying all across the field and into the crowd. The Kiwi openers were once again severe at the start of the innings and only a Kuldeep Yadav intervention brought first joy for India. All the batsmen got in and going, Munro top scoring with 76. CDG providing the impetus and Black Caps have managed to cross the 200-run barrier. Good batting wicket, small ground and we are in for an exciting chase. Join us after a short break.

Had mentioned that this innings is following the Wellington script… and it has ended on the same note. New Zealand have smacked 212/4. India have a tall chase ahead of them but that’s an understatement. If the openers don’t get going, India might collapse, again just like in Wellington. So much riding on that opening pair once again.

After 20 overs,New Zealand 212/4 ( Daryl Mitchell 19 , Ross Taylor 14)

A six in the start of the over from Taylor than a mini comeback from Khaleel with couple of dots followed by two singles as he varies his speeds and lengths but the boundary off the last ball helps the Kiwis to push the score to 212.

FOUR! Lot of muscle there to generate that sort of power. Taylor has got it in the gap as well, beats the fielder in the deep to end the innings with a boundary

SIX! Short ball from Khaleel and Ross Taylor is on the top of it in a flash. Pulls it flat over the backward square fence for a maximum

After 19 overs,New Zealand 200/4 ( Daryl Mitchell 18 , Ross Taylor 3)

NZ get to 200 but CDG’s wicket in the penultimate over is a big relief for India going into the final over. Ross Taylor comes out to bat, who gets off the mark with a couple. Good over by Bhuvi to finish.

Grandhomme is gone… but he has done the job. New Zealand clear 200 and this will be another daunting chase for India.

FOUR! Mitchell has got a boundary to fine leg, after a top edge of an attempted pull beats Khaleel Ahmed at short fine leg, who is running back and Krunal coming in from long leg too isn’t able to cut it off, despite the dive

OUT! Full and wide of off stump, just where you want in the death overs. Deep into the crease from Bhuvi. CDG movesoutside off stump recognises the line of attack, Bhuvi adjusts and slides it wider. De Grandhomme reaches for it as he looks to launch it down the ground, gets a genuine edge to Dhoni

C de  Grandhomme c Dhoni b Bhuvneshwar 30(16)

And we have a pitch invader… more like a ground invader… atleast he is wearing clothes. Probably too drunk or has a bet with his mates, either way, that’s a stupid way to get yourself banned. Meanwhile, Vijay Shankar puts in a diving effort but cannot reach it.

After 18 overs,New Zealand 192/3 ( Colin de Grandhomme 30 , Daryl Mitchell 13)

Not to bad an over at this stage, yes 10 runs taken but there were couple of half chances. early in the over. Grandhomme is batting on 30 off 15. Got away with one bowled down the leg side, lucky to get away. Dot to finish.

FOUR! Hardik is hit for a boundary to mid wicket as he too bowls the full toss on pads. Mitchell gleefully flicks it

After 17 overs,New Zealand 182/3 ( Colin de Grandhomme 26 , Daryl Mitchell 7)

India continue to bleed runs. Two fours at the start of Bhuvi’s second spell and Daryl Mitchell ending the over with anohter boundary. NZ eyeing 220-run mark again, 15 taken from this.

FOUR! That has been hit straight from Daryll Mitchell. Again getting the yorker wrong there, ending up as a full toss and struck for another boundary

FOUR! Cannot bowl there. Short and wide and CDG simply slaps it past backward point fielder for a four.

FOUR! Tried the yorker there Bhuvi but has been taken on the full by CDG and got it past mid off fielder

After 16 overs,New Zealand 167/3 ( Colin de Grandhomme 16 , Daryl Mitchell 2)

NZ are eyeing a huge score here. Smashing 16 runs off Krunal’s final over, has been a miserable day for him with the ball, the small size of the ground not helping him a wee bit. He has been smacked for 54 today. MoM in the last T20I and 54 for 0 in this game

FOUR! Krunal keeping wide of the batsman and CDG was going to keep swinging at it. Gets a thick edge that flies over backward point and short third.

SIX! Full from Krunal right in the hitting zone and De Grandhomme simply swings through the line for a six. Dhoni shouts “Aage, aage” asking Krunal to pitch it in his half

After 15 overs,New Zealand 151/3 ( Colin de Grandhomme 3 , Daryl Mitchell 1)

Couple of boundaries from Williamson to take NZ to 150-run mark but he falls soon after. CDG is joined by Daryl Mitchell in the middle.

Two wickets in two overs should slow things down for New Zealand. Colin de Grandhomme should is the key player here, following his fifty from the previous game.

Kane Williamson has been dismissed in 20s in four out of his eight T20I innings against India.

OUT! Kane Williamson has fallen to a short ball. Round the wicket and miscued by Williamson as he was on swivel to play to pull, gets from the upper-half of the bat and straight away expresses his frustration. Easy catch for Kuldeep at short fine leg.

Williamson c Kuldeep Yadav b Khaleel Ahmed 27(21)

FOUR! Full outside off and Williamson thrashes it past cover fielder for another boundary in the same region

FOUR! Khaleel Ahmed holds it back of a short length and Williamson goes back and punches it hard into the ground, beats the extra-cover fielder and Vijay Shankar’s dive in the deep ends in vain

After 14 overs,New Zealand 140/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 17 , Colin de Grandhomme 3)

Fantastic last over from Kuldeep to end his spell in his only T20I. Five runs and a wicket. NZ are still going at 10 runs an over.

Highest individual scores for New Zealand against India in T20Is:

109* – Colin Munro, Rajkot, 2017

91 – Brendon McCullum, Chennai, 2012

84 – Tim Seifert, Wellington, 2019

76 – Colin Munro, Hamilton, 2019*

69* – Brendon McCullum, Wellington, 2009

OUT! How about that Hardik Pandya gets the catch in the next over after Munro was put down in his bowling. Mistimed his slog sweep and Kuldeep Yadav ahs another wicket. A whirlwind of a knock comes to an end.

 Munro c Hardik Pandya b Kuldeep Yadav 76(40)

After 13 overs,New Zealand 135/1 ( Colin Munro 76 , Kane Williamson (C) 15)

Drop catch. Misfield. Fours x 2 and a six. Eventful over with lots of frustration for Hardik Pandya and India. Munro riding his luck but also tonking the ball to the boundary. Pressure on India.

FOUR! More runs! Was banged in short and climbed over Munro, who got some glove and managed to juuuuussstt get it over Kuldeep Yadav at short third man. Frustration for Pandya.

SIX! That’s gone high and handsome. Right into the nigh sky. What a hit. Staight and full and even tonks it over long on. Gee! Even the camera couldn’t follow it.

FOUR! Munro has simply flicked to wide of long on but Vijay Shankar should have saved that. Misfield and more frustration for Rohit Sharma and India

DROPPED! CHANCE PUT DOWN! EASY CHANCE PUT DOWN! Munro top edges and Khaleel Ahmed has fluffed a straight forward chance. Was the slower ball from Hardik Pandya that Munro plays it early was looking to pull but edges it high, Khaleel at short fine leg missed a simple chance

Most sixes in T20Is:

103 – Chris Gayle

103 – Martin Guptill

102 – Rohit Sharma

92 – Colin Munro* (And counting)

91 – Brendon McCullum

After 12 overs,New Zealand 118/1 ( Colin Munro 60 , Kane Williamson (C) 14)

Kuldeep is unfortunate to even concede eight runs, he bowled a terrific over. A splendid finish to beat Williamson’s outside edge. These two have added 48 already

FOUR! Kuldeep had done Williamson there, but the Kiwi captain has got a thickish outside edge and with the point fielder much squarer and the ball spins away to the third man fence

After 11 overs,New Zealand 110/1 ( Colin Munro 58 , Kane Williamson (C) 8)
 

A boundary on either ends of the over for Munro with four singles collected in between. MS Dhoni eggs Krunal on with ‘Bahot Badiyas’ couple of times when he keeps it down to one, but Krunal quickly turning away after he was hit for a boundary of the final ball

Munro’s fifty and New Zealand past 100. This is following the Wellington script so far. India need a flurry of wickets to slow down the run rate and it hasn’t worked ao far. Pattern emerging here… if the pacers get hit, it gets tougher.

FOUR! We have seen this before, Krunal not trying to bowl in Munro’s range but fires it wide outside off and Munro scything him over covers.

FIFTY! Stylish way to bring up your ninth T20I half-century. Little bit straighter than the sixes Munro has hit so far but the quick delivery from Krunal has simply launched over wide long on, almost over cow corner

Kane Williamson has only been dismissed once out of four innings at Seddon Park, Hamilton in T20Is before today. He currently averages 134.00 at the venue in T20Is.

After 10 overs,New Zealand 96/1 ( Colin Munro 46 , Kane Williamson (C) 6)

That six from Munro really helped NZ after couple of quiet overs. Nine runs from Kuldeep’s second over.

SIX! Too full from Kuldeep and Munro, who shuffles across, plays a cross-batted swipe. A proper slog, where he didn’t let the ball turn, perhaps the best way to counter Kuldeep, when you cannot pick him. Hge hit over mid wicket

Exactly! 

Lightning quick and how ⚡️⚡️#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/jAcilR7xON

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 10, 2019

After 9 overs,New Zealand 87/1 ( Colin Munro 38 , Kane Williamson (C) 5)

Got time for Krunal to come and slip in a quick over after a wicket fell in the previous over. Few sliders from Krunal as he gives away just four singles.

After 8 overs,New Zealand 83/1 ( Colin Munro 36 , Kane Williamson (C) 3)

Williamson comes in and plays the lap sweep for a couple after Seifert was given out by the TV umpire. Kuldeep striking in his first over but credit must be given to MS ‘flash’ Dhoni for the glovework

Tim Seifert is stumped and walks off shaking his head. New Zealand fans cannot believe it. There was a thought he might have been an inch in. Guess against Dhoni it didn’t work.

OUT! Was that out!? Well the TV Umpire thinks so and Seifert has to go. Was the wrong’un that Seifert didn’t read at all. Was bamboozled completely, playing it for the conventional spin. Typical Dhoni sniffs a chance as Seifert is stretched forward, but drags his back leg back, just about gets something behind the line. The TV umpire asks for the zoom in vision for the back leg and it seemed there was some aprt of the boot behind the line, not according to the third umpire as he presses the right light. Simon Doull on air says, the TV umpire is surely watching something else that what everyone else is (not verbatim, but gist of it). Another talking point of the match.

Seifert st Dhoni b Kuldeep Yadav 43(25)

Kuldeep Yadav into the attack

After 7 overs,New Zealand 79/0 ( Tim Seifert (W) 43 , Colin Munro 35)

The Pandya brothers are being taken to the cleaners here. Another expensive over as Seifert and Munro pound 14 off the younger Pandya’s over.

SIX! That has been hit through the line. Full ball was wide of off. Was the change up from Hardik Pandya. Seifert slams it over long off

New Zealand’s opening stands at Seddon Park, Hamilton in T20Is:

130, 79*, 0, 103, 37, 75, 171*, 78, 77*(and counting today)

FOUR! Munro is having fun here. Stands his ground and punches it on the off side. Kuldeep put in the dive to no avail.

Openers to hit 50-plus sixes in T20Is for New Zealand:

Martin Guptill

Brendon McCullum 

Colin Munro*

After 6 overs,New Zealand 66/0 ( Tim Seifert (W) 36 , Colin Munro 29)

Krunal has been smashed around the park in his first over, which was the final over of the powerplay. Carted for 20 runs

SIX! Seifert once again exposes his stumps, shuffles across and with Krunal bowling it straight into the wickets, the opener picks it off his stumps and lifts it over fine leg. Perhaps got a thick edge, perhaps of the top half but got a good chunk of the ball to help it over the advertising hoardings.

50 up for New Zealand. Their openers are really putting on a show here. This wicket looks different from the ODI pitch of course. And they are attacking Krunal Pandya too…

FOUR! Now through the off side! Krunal pushes one through wide of off stump, trying to correct his line from the previous ball, Munro drives it hard over cover, for a one-tip boundary

SIX! That’s big! Munro’s affinity to slog is no secret. Bends down and blasts it over mid wicket. Brings up NZ’s 50.

New Zealand’s first five overs in this series in each match:

1st T20I: 54/0

2nd T20I: 40/1

3rd T20I: 46/0

Krunal Pandya comes on to bowl

After 5 overs,New Zealand 46/0 ( Tim Seifert (W) 27 , Colin Munro 18)

Hardik getting the ball to skid a touch but with Munro getting the one boundary mid over, ensured Kiwis took eight runs off it. Good finish by Hardik.

FOUR! Munro was never going to miss out there. Hardik digged in short and into the body allowing Munro to play his favourite stroke to pull it to mid wicket fence, Vijay Shankar was placed for that particular shot but even he isn’t able to get around that one.

Hardik Pandya comes into the attack

After 4 overs,New Zealand 38/0 ( Tim Seifert (W) 26 , Colin Munro 11)

NZ compensate for the terrific previous over that Bhuvi bowled by taking 16 off young Khaleel’s second over. Munro and Seifert, in particular, are off to a very brisk start.

FOUR! Smart from Seifert. Knew the back of the length delivery was coming and then waits on it to simply tap it around the corner, made sure he got it past short fine leg for a boundary

SIX! Fancy stuff from Seifert but is effective as well. He has literally swept Khaleel Ahmed for a six. Walked across his sticks, got down on a knee and lapped it over fine leg for a six!!

Surprised that Shankar got a hand to it. It was never going to be a catch, and Seifert manufacturing a shot. Khaleel is taking a beating. 24 off 2 overs.

FOUR! Would too darn brutal, to put that down as a drop. Seifert creates room, by backing away on the legside and slices it hard over backward point, the man in the ring, running back follows the swirling ball in the air. Vijay Shankar is the fielder, he puts in his all to catch that, gets two hands but cannot cling on, the ball parries away into the fence

After 3 overs,New Zealand 22/0 ( Tim Seifert (W) 11 , Colin Munro 10)

Bhuvi displays unerring accuracy as he sends down a brilliant over of full-length bowling.

Bhuvi starts off his second over with couple of full deliveries, almost yorker length into the blockhole. In between the two full deliveries he banged one short which was called wide for being too high. Munro calls for a change of bat after digging two full balls and seems to have damaged his bottom. Kumar continues to keep it full, Munro turns the strike over off third ball to mid off, while Seifert jams out two inch-perfect yorker. Bhuvi finishes well too. Again, the full ball, not as much as the previous two but still full enough for not allowing Seifert to get underneath the ball, taps it to long on for one.

Here’s the White Ferns’ side with the T20I series trophy

Congratulations to the @WHITE_FERNS on a 3-0 series victory over India. Epic stuff in the Double-Headers! Highlights + Scorecard | https://t.co/iYacWEiS2J #NZvIND 📷= @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/TmAEaEsVkb

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 10, 2019

After 2 overs,New Zealand 19/0 ( Tim Seifert (W) 10 , Colin Munro 9)

Khaleel starts over the wicket and both Seifert and Munro rotate strike with singles to mid on. Munro, however, missed an opportunity to put away a full toss, getting an inside edge as he was eyeing to play it through covers. Seifert not rushing into the shot as he collects his first boundary. Khaleel concedes eight of his first over.

FOUR! Smart from Khaleel to bowl the change up after the dot ball, was the off-cutter, but Seifert was way too good on that occasion as he adjusts the follow through of the shot to get the timing right, waits for the ball to come and strikes it up and over covers with a horizontal bat for his first boundary

Colin Munro has nearly scored 75% of his T20I runs while batting first for New Zealand.

Khaleel Ahmed, left-arm fast medium, to bowl from the other end

After 1 overs,New Zealand 11/0 ( Tim Seifert (W) 4 , Colin Munro 7)

Couple of sweetly timed shots from Seifert to commence his innings, gets off the mark with a couple through midwicket before changing ends with Munro with a crisp drive to mid off. While Munro gets going with a maximum down the ground. Single for Seifert to end the first over.

SIX! Munro needs no sighters, charges down the wicket and bashes Bhuvneshwar Kumar over long on with flat bat for a 71 metre six.

The last time when India lost a bilateral T20I series was in July, 2017 against West Indies. Since then they have won seven and drawn two bilateral T20I series.

Tim Seifert and Colin Munro walk out to the middle with the sun slowly setting in the background at Seddon Park in Hamilton. Munro shadow practices with Bhuvneshwar Kumar freeing his arms before he runs in to bowl the first over. Umpire calls play…

Both teams line up for the pre-match national anthems. India’s Ja Na Ga Na first followed by God Defend New Zealand

Blair Tickner is Twenty20 International #82 for New Zealand. Presented his cap by @CentralStags teammate Doug Bracewell. #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/h4RbSgH11P

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 10, 2019

Most T20 matches played by Indian players:

300 – MS Dhoni* (First Indian to do so)

298 – Rohit Sharma 

296 – Suresh Raina

260 – Dinesh Karthik

India win the toss and opt to bowl. Against expectations, they do have a change. Kuldeep Yadav in for Yuzvendra Chahal. Weird call at that because at times Kuldeep has a tendency to be expensive. New Zealand have a change too. Blair Tickner making his debut, another pacer to test out before the World Cup.

New Zealand XI: Tim Seifert(w), Colin Munro, Kane Williamson(c), Daryl Mitchell, Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner

India XI: Rohit Sharma(c), Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni(w), Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed

India have won seven matches out of their last 10 T20Is in which they have chased.

New Zealand have won six matches out of eight T20Is that they have played at Seddon Park, Hamilton before today.

TOSS: India win the toss and Rohit Sharma has decided to put Kiwis into bat

Doubt there will be any changes to the Indian side. Kuldeep is warming up a tad more than he did earlier in the series, but doesn’t look like he will play. India’s experimentation has worked this series so they might just want to continue in the same vein.

One final time on this long tour, it’s hello from Seddon Park. India are fighting to finish this tour unbeaten after drawing the T20 series, winning the Tests and ODIs in Australia, and winning the ODIs in New Zealand as well. 

The Black Caps are trying to overturn that 4-1 ODIs’ loss. Who will prevail in this Sunday showdown at 1-1?

Meanwhile, Northern Districts pacer Blair Tickner is set to make his debut for the Black Caps today. He receives his cap minutes before toss.

“Little bit of bounce in this pitch. Really nice surface. Great covering of grass, which will aid the pace. If you’re in the bowling crease, you will get hammered. Batsmen will dominate this game. 200 is probably a decent score batting first. This length here (back-of-length) is what you need to bowl tonight,” says Simon Doull during the pitch report.

Another 15 minutes to go before the toss takes place in the men’s game. India, meanwhile, will be eyeing their first-ever T20I series win in New Zealand and maintain a clean sheet in their marathon tour of Australia and New Zealand. 

We're back at the Seddon Park for the series decider #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/CJORsbIUa3

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 10, 2019

Kasperek has done it! @BCCIWomen gave it a good go, scoring 13 runs but it wasn't enough and the WHITE FERNS win by two runs! Incredible finish 😓 and the WHITE FERNS take the series 3-0! 🏆🏆🏆

NZC LIVE CARD | https://t.co/eOJCqefPwv #NZvIND #culturescombined pic.twitter.com/J9pfCaICek

— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 10, 2019