IND vs NZ Third T20I: A catch that turned the match | Watch Video

Thiruvananthapuram: Indian bowlers did a great job in clinching a breathtaking victory in the third and final T20I to win the match by six runs against New Zealand, but the first thing that changed the course of the game might have been overlooked but was a brilliant catch by Rohit Sharma to dismiss Colin Munro, who was living dangerously at the crease.

The blinder taken by Rohit Sharma while fielding at the mid-on region running towards the boundary sent Munro (7 off 6) back who had hit a humongous six to Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the very first delivery he faced in the match.

Considering Munro's match-winning hundred in the second Twenty20 International (T20I) at Rajkot, which helped Kiwis level the series 1-1 with an emphatic 40-run win, he was the most crucial batsman to be dismissed if India had any plans of defending a target as small as 68 runs in 8 overs, to win the match as well as the series.

Munro was at his belligerent best in the second T20I when he completely destroyed Indian bowling on course of his unbeaten 109-run inning, which came off only 58 balls and was laced with 7 fours and equal number of sixes.

It seemed he had started off the third T20I exactly from the same point where he signed off in the previous match, but could not do any more damage as Jasprit Bumrah made him mis-time the same shot he had hit Bhuvi for a powerful six. He again tried to play a big shot coming down the crease, but only ended up hitting the ball around ten steps outside the 30-yard circle.

Rohit Sharma quickly responded and reached near the ball and finally judged the ball amazingly well and took a magnificent catch. It sent the Kiwis on the back foot as both their openers had departed and their captain Kane Williamson had to consolidate the inning.

Also Read: IND vs NZ 3rd T20I: India seals close 6-run victory; wins series 2-1

He, however, failed as Hardik Pandya connected a direct hit perfectly to send him back before he could fire with his bat. This was a major jolt for the visitors as rest of their batting was mostly untested during the series. As expected, they also failed to connect well at the crucial junctures of the match, which made it easy for Indian bowlers to maintain the pressure.

India showed great intent in fielding as they kept converting the half-chances into wickets leaving the Kiwi batsmen in a pressure situation.

Apart from the fielding, Jasprit Bumrah was exceptionally well as he proved that currently he is best in the business at least in limited overs Cricket. He conceded only 9 runs in his 2 overs for two wickets. Yuzvendra Chahal also bowled a tight line, though, he could not bag any wickets. He went for mere 8 runs in his 2 overs.

Bhuvi and Kuldeep Yadav managed one success each to finally restrict New Zealand to 61/6 in reply to India's 67/5 in 8 overs. Hardik Pandya bowled the last over when New Zealand needed 18 runs to win and he conceded 11 runs.

The victory not only ensured the 2-1 series win but also established a statement across the global cricketing fraternity that India is no more a team which loses its cool and calm at the pressure situations, and is fully apt of pulling out the closest of the matches.

Check the video of the catch here:

https://www.facebook.com/rinkal89sharma/posts/1575010595892492?pnref=story

Video Credit – bcci.tv