India captain Shreyas Iyer pointed out a couple of key aspects, which, in his opinion, were the reasons for India’s downfall in the IND vs NZ 5th T20I.
The Indian cricket team had been on a high with three consecutive wins in the first three matches of the series, but the Kiwis took away plenty of positives and showed some fight in the last two games of the five-match series.
Though India claimed the trophy, the Men in Blue lost the momentum ahead of the ODI series. Iyer and the team management were left pondering over a few shortcomings that were visible in the three wins but came to the fore in the two defeats.
In the India vs New Zealand 5th T20I, the Kiwis rode on Adam Milne’s 4/19, Tim Seifert’s 93, and Glenn Phillips’ 65 to register a 7-wicket victory, gunning down the target of 192 in 18 overs.
We can brainstorm and we have to work on a couple of things: Shreyas Iyer
Iyer recognized India’s middle-order collapse and the fielding lapses as the two chief reasons for India’s loss in Hamilton.
Iyer and Ishan Kishan formed a third-wicket stand of 93 (43). However, India then lost Iyer, Kishan, and Tilak Varma in quick succession, going from 112/2 to 133/5 and losing out on important momentum ahead of the death overs.
In the field, India shelled three catches of both half-centurions – one of Seifert early into his innings and later two of Phillips.
In the post-match presentation ceremony, Iyer said, “We could have been better considering the start we got in the middle overs, the way Ishan and I, we created the momentum. And then from there on we lost back-to-back wickets. And then suddenly, pressure on the new batsman. It wasn’t an easy wicket to play on, especially when the ball was seaming and holding a bit. And also skidding through at times.”
“We can brainstorm, and we have to work on a couple of things, especially fielding. That is one aspect of the game we need to improve on. But honestly, it’s not that easy when you come under such dark lights, clear skies. We don’t get that much in India.”
When is the India vs New Zealand 1st ODI?
The IND vs NZ 1st ODI will be played on November 4, Wednesday, in Auckland. The match is scheduled to start at 7:30 AM IST.
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