Rohit Sharma, Rahul clinch T20 series for India in style
Under the watchful eyes of coach Rahul Dravid, Skipper Rohit Sharma and his boys won the 2nd T20 in Ranchi and the series with consummate ease. This was in direct contrast to how the same squad tethered on the brink in the Wirld Cup.
After New Zealand posted 153 on the board, India responded with confidence and delightful aggression through the explosive innings by K L Rahul who set the tone of the victory right at the mouth.
WHAT. A. WIN! 👏 👏#TeamIndia secure a 7⃣-wicket victory in the 2nd T20I against New Zealand & take an unassailable lead in the series. 👍 👍 #INDvNZ @Paytm
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/9m3WflcL1Y pic.twitter.com/ttqjgFE6mP
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 19, 2021
Rahul scored 65 before walking and Sharma who won the toss and elected to bowl, showered the boundary with his quintessential hooks, pulls and effortless drives which showed why he is called the gentle hitman much like the smiling assassin in Novak Djokovic.
6⃣5⃣ Runs
4⃣9⃣ Balls
6⃣ Fours
2⃣ Sixes#TeamIndia vice-captain @klrahul11 set the ball rolling in the chase & scored a fantastic half-century. 👏 👏 #INDvNZ @PaytmWatch his knock 🎥 🔽
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 19, 2021
The Indian openers put up a centurion stand before handing over the baton to Surya Kumar Yadav who went off the track with a rare failure at 1.
However, Rishabh Pant summed up the innings with sixes and fixes that the Kiwis were unable to tackle and returned to the pavilion with a seven-wicket loss.
A terrific bowling performance on debut 💪@HarshalPatel23 wins the Man of the Match award for his splendid spell of 2/25 👏👏#TeamIndia #INDvNZ @Paytm pic.twitter.com/BvRz4qmL5Z
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 19, 2021
India won the game in style and pocketed the series as the stadium exploded with joy. But the Wall sat unmoved before a laptop in the dressing room, making studious notes. He acknowledged the team’s performance and achievement with a poker face and a firm handshake with the support staff.
Quite a combination Team India has now — a sane and grounded voice in the dressing room, an interested captain and a band of young ones who are unwilling to lose their position to anything other than injury or fate.