🏏India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I: JSCA Stadium Complex, Ranchi 🏏 - Page 10

Michael Bracewell: There was a lot of turn in the first innings and it continued right through the whole match which was fortunate for us bowling second. I was trying to get it to skid on a little bit (Ishan Kishan's wicket) it's one of those ones, nice to pick up a wicket early in the innings and as a bowling unit, we were able to capitalize on that start. We (Santner and I) were trying to discuss what sort of ball is the most effective on the wicket. Great to have his experience around. There was a little bit of moisture out there towards the end, probably not as much as we were expecting. Massive to bounce back from that disappointing ODI series, looking forward to going on to the next one in a couple of days' time with a little bit of momentum behind us.

Hardik Pandya: No one even thought that the wicket would play like that and both teams were surprised. But they played better cricket on this and that's why the result end up like that. Actually the new ball was turning more than the old one and the way spun, way it bounced it caught us by surprise. But somehow we pulled it back and were in the game till Surya and myself were batting. On hindsight, I don't think this wicket was 177, we were with the ball and conceded 20-25 runs. It is a young group and we will only learn from this. The way he bowled, he batted and fielded, it was Washington against New Zealand today. We needed someone who can bat and bowl, gives us a lot of confidence and it will help us going forward.

Mitchell Santner: It was a bit of a shock for everyone involved, how much it kinda spun in the second innings. But it was a great game and it was pretty tight at the end, we saw a lot of runs in the ODI series and it was nice to see the ball spin a bit more. I don't think we were ever safe, 170-odd was nice with Daryl hitting a couple over and he batted extremely well, we knew we had a sniff with 180. It was nice to chip away some wickets in the powerplay and we had troubled doing that in the ODIs. At the toss we were going to bowl because we know chasing is so good over here and especially with the dew. That's always the challenge (on captain using himself). You don't want to be seen doing the easy overs and stuff like that. We knew it was spinning in the powerplay and it was nice to chip one out.

Daryl Mitchell | Player of the Match: It is nice to contribute to a score which helps us win a game. I thought the way the boys bowled at the end was pretty special. It is nice to take some momentum into the rest of the T20 series. The guys who went in early said it was pretty difficult against spin because of the tacky nature. It was my job to build a partnership and then take the onus on myself after Conway's departure. For me it is being really present and really clear, keeping it simple as possible and trusting my skills, not everytime it comes off in T20 cricket but it is always nice when you get a few off the middle.

After being blanked 3-0 in the ODI series, New Zealand start the T20Is with a win and that sets up the series nicely. India would put this as one of their off days for the batters and look to come back strongly in the next game. It is going to be a quick turnaround as the second T20I is on Sunday. That's all from this encounter. Do join us for the next one in Lucknow.

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

Pitch Report

It is not the easiest pitch to bat on but if the batters apply themselves properly then they could still post a total of 185+. Spinners and pace bowlers should both get some help from the surface.

Another version---

The pitch is a batting-friendly surface and is expected to assist the batters once again here. Pacers might get some assistance toward the latter half of the match, while spinners will be crucial in the middle overs.

3rd version ???!!!!!

The pitch at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi is a balanced pitch with decent assistance for both batters and bowlers on offer. The team winning the toss may decide to bat or bowl, depending on the ground conditions today.

Why this Kolaveri D? 🤓

Was the pitch batting friendly or not 😯

Originally posted by: SoniRita

New Zealand won by 21 runs

Thank you for the tag and updates, was at a wedding...missed the match entirely 😅

Originally posted by: Tapdance

Thank you for the tag and updates, was at a wedding...missed the match entirely 😅

Well u missed seeing Dhoni 😳 he had came to see match

Congratulations to New Zealand for winning the match.👏

It looks like no one could figure out the mysterious pitch conditions.

Let's hope Lucknow and Ahmedabad pitches won't be so mysterious.

Cheers..

Congratulations to New Zealand team for their interesting victory. ⭐️

That 27-run last over gave New Zealand the momentum, and they came firing with the ball.

NZ started the T20I series with a victory.

Now, India has to tighten their belts to win the next game to make the 3rd one more interesting.

Next game is on --

2nd T20I --

Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

Date & Time: Jan 29, 07:00 PM LOCAL (For Australia and New Zealand members, it will be 30th Jan, 12.30am)