A Black Caps team lacking in application copped their worst Twenty20 defeat yesterday, losing the series against India to complete a tough tour.
After being swept 3-0 in the ODI series, New Zealand had a chance to triumph in the shortest form, but were soundly outplayed by the hosts inthe decider.
India set a daunting task for the tourists after choosing to bat first and making 234-4 in Ahmedabad, anchored by a superb Shubman Gill century.
The opener, who finished unbeaten with 126 from 63 balls, recorded the highest T20 score by an Indian batsman with an innings that included 12 fours and seven sixes.
In reply, the Black Caps’ chase was essentially over inside of 12 balls, losing three wickets before slumping to 21-5 in the fifth over.
Daryl Mitchell – who with 35 joined skipper Mitchell Santner (13) as the only batsmen to reach double figures - at least ensured an understrength New Zealand surpassed their lowest T20 total.
But they were eventually bowled out for 66 in 12.1 overs, losing by a 168-run margin that represented the eighth-biggest defeat by runs in T20 history – and biggest between two full ICC members.
“Everyone was fizzed up to play but it just didn’t go our way,” Santner said. “We kind of sat back in periods and watched them get runs. We didn’t really apply ourselves for long enough with the bat.
“The hardest time to bat in India is the first three overs if it’s swinging, and I guess we didn’t really give ourselves a chance.”
Debutant Ben Lister began the match with ball in hand but quickly found himself at the mercy of Gill and Rahul Tripathi (44 off 22 balls), eventually finishing with figures of 0-42 from his four overs.
India's Shubhman Gill celebrates scoring a century against the Black Caps. Photo / AP
The Auckland paceman was far from alone in being punished as Gill accelerated throughout the innings, scoring his second 50 off 19 balls as he reached three figures from 54 deliveries.
The hosts collected 103 runs in the final seven overs thanks to Gill’s onslaught, notching their fifth-highest T20 total.
“Shubman’s innings was good to watch,” Santner said. “It was one of those grounds where if you had wickets in hand you could really attack the last 10 overs, and that’s what India did.”
New Zealand’s bowlers were helpless to do much more than watch, with Blair Tickner (1-50 from three) and Lockie Ferguson (0-54 from four) particularly enduring days to forget.
Unfortunately for the tourists, the batsmen soon fared even worse. Chasing an improbable 235, India’s pacemen used the dew to full effect, with Hardik Pandya striking twice in two overs to remove Finn Allen (3) and Glenn Phillips (2).
At the other end, Arshdeep Singh dismissed Devon Conway (1) and Mark Chapman (0) to reduce the Black Caps to 7-4 in 2.4 overs, before Mitchell and Santner offered only slight resistance.
The demolition concluded a long subcontinental tour for a team who initially fared better in Pakistan. With players coming and going across formats – including Tim Southee and Kane Williamson, who weren’t involved against India after heading home to prepare for this month’s visit of England – Santner had been hoping to finish with some reward for their toil.
“It was built up for a good chance to win a series over here, which as we’ve found it is pretty tough to come by,” he said. “The guys have been on the road for a while so they’ll be looking forward to getting home.
