Dominant performance augurs well for India

Team India has a lot to crow about after their stupendous success in New Zealand. While credit needs to go to the whole unit, Jasprit Bumrah and the bowling division deserves special praise  for keeping the pressure on the Black Caps, especially in the death overs (“Bumrah sparks India win over New Zealand to sweep T20 series 5-0,” Feb.2, Gulf Today).

Kohli’s men outbeat the hosts in every division of the game, and the squad’s killer instinct was more than a match for Kane Williamson’s side. But the Kiwis who took to the field without the services of their frontmen Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson were a much weaker side. That aside it’s also a time for the Black Caps to retrospect as they lost three of the matches after being in a commanding position. In the final tie on Sunday India made a moderate 163-3 batting first, and New Zealand was 116-3 in the 13th over before they self-destructed and lost six wickets for 40 runs to finish 156-9.

The two earlier matches were also the Kiwis to win before the Men in Blue forced them into Super Overs and snatched victory in tie-breakers. The dominant performance augurs well for India and a good preparation considering that the T20 World Cup will be hosted later this year.

Omar Sajid
By email