Indian spinners revelled on a turning track before the batters made heavy weather of a small target to register a scrappy series levelling win over New Zealand in the second T20 International in Lucknow on Sunday.
Spin triumvate of Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav impressed on a helping surface to limit a self-destructing New Zealand to 99 for eight, their lowest total against India in the format. It should have been a straight-forward run chase but the top-order comprising Ishan Kishan (19 off 32), Shubman Gill (11 off 9) and Rahul Tripathi (13 off 18) had a tough time again in spin-friendly conditions.
In the end, Hardik Pandya (15 not out off 20) and Suryakumar Yadav (26 not out off 31) bailed India out and handed the team a six wickets win.
India’s captain Hardik Pandya, second left, interacts with New Zealand players after India won the second T20 international cricket match against New Zealand in Lucknow.
India’s Suryakumar Yadav, right, celebrates with captain Hardik Pandya after their win in the second T20 international cricket match against New Zealand in Lucknow.
