India’s World T20 campaign faced another blow when they were thrashed by New Zealand in their second match, a week after they had lost to Pakistan in near-similar fashion. India posted 110/7, an even lower score, on a two-paced wicket that New Zealand chased easily within 15 overs thanks to Daryl Mitchell's 49.
Virat Kohli's unfortunate streak with the coin continued, and Kane Williamson happily sent India in. India left out Suryakumar Yadav, due to a back spasm, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with Shardul Thakur and Ishan Kishan. New Zealand brought in Adam Milne for Tim Seifert.
Kishan opened with K.L. Rahul, and was dismissed in the fifth ball of the third over with the score on 11. Rohit Sharma hooked the first ball he faced, off Trent Boult, and was dropped by Milne at long leg. Rohit and Rahul added 24, including 15 in an over from Milne, to give India some hope. Rahul then fell to Tim Southee just before the end of the Powerplay.
Ish Sodhi (2-17), celebrating his 29th birthday, then took out Rohit and Kohli, while Mitchell Santner conceded just 15 in his four overs. India were 48/4 when Kohli fell in the 11th over. Contributions came from Rishabh Pant (12), Hardik Pandya (22) and Ravindra Jadeja (23), but none of them could provide the required momentum, and India limped to 110/7. Boult picked up two more wickets in the 19th over to finish with 3-20.
New Zealand started well. Martin Guptill raced to 20 within four overs before he skied one off Jasprit Bumrah, and was caught by Shardul Thakur at mid on to give India their first wicket in the tournament in over five years.
Mitchell and captain Williamson then ensured there was no more hiccups. They took the score to 96 before Bumrah (2-19) got Mitchell, who hit four fours an three sixes in his 35-ball 49. Williamson completed the chase halfway through the 15th over to remain unbeaten on 33. Sodhi was named Player of the Match.
The defeat meant India retained their fifth position. To qualify, they have to win their remaining matches by big margins as well as back Afghanistan to beat New Zealand narrowly.
Brief scores: India 110/7 in 20 overs (Jadeja 26; Boult 3-20) lost to New Zealand 111/2 in 14.3 overs (Mitchell 49; Bumrah 2-19) by 8 wickets with 33 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Ish Sodhi.