KalingaTV News Network
Thiruvananthapuram: In a nail-biting contest, India beat New Zealand by six runs to win the three-match T20 Cricket series 2-1 here last night. The match was reduced to eight-overs-a-side due to rain as international cricket returned to the capital city of Kerala after a gap of 29 years.
Chasing a target of 68 runs set by India, New Zealand could manage only 61 for 6 in the stipulated 8 overs in the rain affected third and final match.
For the hosts, Jasprit Bumrah claimed two wickets. Hardik Pandya bowled the last over with the Kiwis requiring 19 runs. A massive six by Colin de Grandhomme threw tension in the air for the home fans but Pandya had a last laugh to pull the match off.
Earlier, the hosts made 67 for 5 in 8 overs. The top order batsmen – Shikhar Dhawan (6), Rohit Sharma (8) and skipper Virat Kohli (13) got a good start but threw their wickets while attempting to hit boundaries over the rope. Manish Pandey (17) was the highest scorer.
Bumrah won both Man of the Match and Man of the Series Awards.
Ms Kalinga