Mohammed Siraj was on top form in the third T20I.©AFP
The last T20I meeting between India and New Zealand on Tuesday ended in a draw (D/L method). After hosts New Zealand scored 160 in 19.4 overs, Rain stopped play with the visitors at 75/4 in 9 overs in the chase. According to the Duckworth-Lewis method, the scores were tied. The best player for India was Mohammad Siraj, who bowled superbly, taking four wickets for just 17 runs. He was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his outstanding performance. The Indian spearhead that was on standby at the recently concluded T20 world cup in Australia bowled beautifully in these harsh weather conditions.
“This wicket was not easy to save. I preferred to bowl the hard lengths. I was on standby at the World Cup and I prepared myself to bowl the hard length and I executed the plans here. My plan was simple, bowl the hard lengths and I executed it,” said Mohammad Siraj at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Arshdeep Singh also took four wickets and conceded 37 runs of his 4 overs quota. These two star bowlers performed together, preventing New Zealand from putting a big total on the board. Untimely rain played a bummer that would otherwise have been a cliffhanger.
“Not in our hands, the weather. All three games, that was there. Good to win,” said Siraj. While New Zealand bowlers picked up early wickets to keep India at 75/4. The match was stopped. In the end, India won the series 1-0.
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