MS Dhoni attended the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Friday for the first T20I between India and New Zealand. After winning the ODI series, India won the toss and opted to bowl against the Kiwis, hoping to continue the winning momentum. During New Zealand’s innings, former India captain Dhoni was seen in the stands along with his wife Sakshi. As the veteran wicketkeeper batsman waved to the camera with a smile, the Ranchi crowd broke into ‘Dhoni’ chants.
The video has been making rounds on social media.
— DHONI GIFS (@DhoniGifs) January 27, 2023
Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell produced a half-century in which New Zealand posted a challenging 176 for six against India.
Conway also penalized the left arm pacer for a wide ball as New Zealand scored 23 in two overs.
However, Washington Sundar got plenty of wicket buying power and soon saw the back of Allen and Mark Chapman (0) in a five-delivery span to reduce New Zealand to 43 for 2.
While Allen paid the price for his daredevil as after a six he tried to repeat the shot only to be caught by Suryakumar Yadav in the deep center of the wicket, Chapman was reeled in by a flatter delivery with Sundar taking the catch after he dived completely to the right. .
However, Conway held on with two fours and a six off Umran Malik, who bled 16 runs in his only over.
Hardik came back and tried to mix up his bowling, with more cutters and slower deliveries as New Zealand reached 79 for 2 on 10 overs.
Conway used the slog sweep and his feet to push boundaries at Kuldeep and Hooda as New Zealand passed the 100 mark in the 13th over.
Kuldeep then struck with a googly as Glenn Phillips went for a slog but was hollowed out by Surya in the deep midwicket.
Daryl Mitchell then linked up with Conway and, after surviving two video referrals for a deficit and an LBW, destroyed Hardik for two maximums.
Conway, on the other hand, completed his fifty in the 16th over, but was soon dismissed by Arshdeep and Hooda took the catch at long range.
Ishan Kishan then ran out new man Michael Bracewell (1) and Shivam Mavi got Mitchell Santner (7) caught by Rahul Tripathi as India appeared to pull things off.
However, Arshdeep gave up 27 runs in the last over, with Mitchell knocking him off three sixes and a four.
(with PTI inputs)
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