12:26am And that will be all from us for this game. A two-day T20I, as some have pointed out, but it was worth it in terms of the entertainment it provided. And the best part? We get to do it all over again on Saturday. Do join us then too, but until next time, from Ranjith and myself (Shashwat), it is goodbye!
Shreyas Iyer, India captain: (On how he is feeling) Probably we need to forget about the jetlag now (smiles). When we started bowling, it was playing a bit slow and we bowled a little ahead than the hard lengths we wanted to be hitting. Then dew came in, and the ball started coming onto the bat nicely. When you are chasing 220, getting 85 in six overs, it is a tremendous start. (On the openers) They are experienced enough. We don't need to tell them about their business. Obviously it does not happen every time. But when they click, they set up the game for us, and the rest of us try to steady the ship and finish. (On Dhir) He gives us lots of options. I personally feel the calm and composed nature he showed tonight, it was magnificent.
Mitchell Santner, New Zealand captain: (On his injury) A bit of a whiplash there, but I am okay. There was a bit in it at the start, and then the way GP (Phillips) consolidated…we were happy with the score at half-way. They (India openers) put us under pressure. Another big powerplay from them. We were not at our best. In the middle, we did well to squeeze them. Tight game and both teams might look at things that could have gone here or there. (On what probably cost them)Extras at the start and in the field, we were pretty good. Couple of chances, closing out overs…we have to find a way to slow them down, and that might be a 80-run powerplay rather than 100.
Sanju Samson, Player of the Match: Feels really good. We are just in the moment where we have won the match, and whatever contribution you make, you feel good if you win. Nice overall contribution by everyone. (On his conversations with Abhishek) We do have conversations but it does not make any sense. We just watch the ball and hit it hard. (On the pitch and the conditions) There was a lot of swing - too much in the second half actually. Off the surface, it was coming on nicely, so we were trying to hold our shape. I summed up by gameplan while keeping, but when I came out to bat, it was totally different.
Faisal: "Naman Dhir played with a SR of 280... His T20I career SR will fall to 285 from 292... Hilarious "
12:10am What a run-chase. It was set up at the top, with Abhishek and Samson teeing off inside the powerplay. Samson continued in that vein post the powerplay too and at that stage, it felt India would cruise to their target. But then, the wickets fell and they fell in a cluster. India's batting order shake-up left a bit to be desired too, and it was not until Shreyas and Dhir joined hands that the visitors began controlling the game again. Shreyas could not take them past the finish line, but Dhir could, and this will be an enriching experience for a finisher still finding his way in international cricket.
NZ, as it turned out, just could not string together enough tight overs. They were wayward during the powerplay and that set them back. They had their moments throughout, but the catch-up game they were playing - mostly due to the extras they conceded early - was too tough to overcome.
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