NZ v India T20: Strange selection among talking points as Seifert blitz crushes visitors

Sooraj Kamath - Writer 18:07 06/02/2019
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  • New Zealand eased to a win against India in the first T20 international

    New Zealand thrashed India in the first of the three-match T20 series, beating the visitors by 80 runs.

    The hosts put 219-6 in the first innings, thanks to a spectacular knock of 84 from 43 balls by batsman/wicketkeeper Tim Seifert.

    In reply, India could manage just 139, with almost all Kiwi bowlers chipping in. Pacer Lockie Ferguson bowled with extreme pace, touching 151kph while picking up 2-22 while veteran quick Tim Southee snared 3-17.

    We take a look at some of the talking points from the game.

    INDIA’S STRANGE SELECTIONS

    After a thumping 4-1 win in the ODI series, India went in without a host of top names. Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are not there and nor is in-form pacer Mohammed Shami. But even so, the final look of India’s playing XI on Wednesday was odd to say the least.

    The men in blue went in with three wicketkeepers – MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant. Also, they had as many all-rounders – Vijay Shankar, Krunal and Hardik Pandya.

    But curiously, they didn’t have limited overs regulars Kedar Jadhav or Kuldeep Yadav in the team.

    Dhoni made 39 from 31 balls but did not get much support; he dropped a chance off man-of-the match Seifert on 17 earlier as well. Pant and Karthik failed to make any significant contributions with the bat, scoring a total of nine runs together. Karthik took a fine catch off Daryl Mitchell at the boundary line to redeem himself after dropping Seifert on 71. In all, having three keepers in the playing XI was never a good idea.

    Three all-rounders instead of specialist spinner Kuldeep Yadav or batsman Shubman Gill also didn’t work well. Krunal and Hardik failed to perform, finishing with economy rates of 9.25 and 12.75 respectively while also failing with the bat.

    Pushing Shankar up the order did not pan out well for the Indians. The Tamil Nadu man came in at number three – and to his credit did well with a quickfire 27 off 18 balls – but he could have provided stability in the middle and prevented a collapse.

    TIM SEIFERT HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE

    Tim Seifert.

    Tim Seifert.

    The 24-year-old Seifert had just eight T20 caps coming into the match, with 42 runs under his belt.

    But after he got a life early on from Dhoni, Seifert made India pay heavily. Opener Colin Munro and Seifert put on 86 runs for the first wicket and ensured the hosts didn’t miss the injured Martin Guptill.

    Seifert’s batting was full of powerful on both sides of the pitch and fearless scoops, reminiscent of Kiwi legend Brendon McCullum. He has a long way to go but the ingredients are definitely there.

    With the gloves, he was good with a fine low catch from Bhuvneshwar Kumar off Ferguson to cap a memorable night.

    Tim Seifert

    Tim Seifert

    KIWIS’ GREAT RECORD

    New Zealand have an excellent record against India in the T20 format. Entering the match, the Black Caps had six wins – home and away – compared to just two wins for the Indians. The Kiwis have routinely crushed India in this format and Wednesday’s result was India’s heaviest defeat in T20s.

    India have just one day to regroup ahead of the second match of the series in Auckland on Friday. Chances are, they will bring in wrist spinner Kuldeep and maybe batsman Gill.

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