India vs New Zealand, New Zealand in India, 3 T20I Series, 2021 Full score card

FOUR! Rishabh Pant wins it for India! Short of a length, on middle. Rishabh Pant advances down the track and smashes it over mid off. Didn't time it that well but the players were inside the ring to stop the single which meant that the ball went all the way towards long off for a boundary. INDIA WIN BY 5 WICKETS.

Takes the pace off, bowls it full and wide. Axar Patel dabs it to backward point for a single. Over to Pant now. 3 runs needed from 3.

WIDE! A slower, full-length ball, outside off. Patel looks to push it away but misses. Wide called by the umpire. Another poor delivery by Daryl Mitchell in this over.

Axar Patel comes out at number 7.

OUT! TAKEN! Four and out for the debutant! Fuller in length, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer tries to be clever and reverse scoop it over short third man but instead chips it straight into the hands of Rachin Ravindra. Pressure back on India now. What an over this is turning out to be.

FOUR! Pressure? What pressure? Back of a length, on middle. Venkatesh Iyer stands deep in his crease and pulls it with disdain towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary. What a way to get off the mark on a debut.

WIDE! Not a good start by Daryl Mitchell! Length ball, way too outside off. Venkatesh Iyer slashes his bat at it but misses. Wided.

Venkatesh Iyer walks out to bat for India at number 6. He comes out at a crucial stage. How will the debutant fare under pressure? Also, Daryl Mitchell comes into the attack now to bowl the final over. A last gamble by Tim Southee.

OUT! TAKEN! New Zealand are right back in the game! Good-length ball, on off. Shreyas Iyer looks to heave but gets no timing on his shot. The ball goes straight to Trent Boult at long off who grabs it easily. 10 runs needed off the final over now.

In the air, but safe! Short of a length, on middle. Shreyas Iyer looks to pull but gets a top edge and balloons it over the bowler's end. It lands right in front of the long on and long off fielders. Two runs taken.

On a length, on leg. Rishabh Pant looks to slog it on the leg side going down on one knee but misses. He gets hit on the pads and the batters take a leg bye.

On a good length, on middle. Iyer flat-bats it down to long on for a single.

Full, on the pads. Rishabh Pant tickes it to backward square leg for one.

Length ball, on off. Shreyas Iyer smashes it hard to mid-wicket. The fielder there does well to stop the ball. A single taken.

Tim Southee to bowl the penultimate over.

Tension building now! Slower, shorter and wider, Rishabh Pant looks to flay it away but misses. 16 needed from the last two overs!

Full, outside off. Rishabh Pant knocks it straight to mid off.

Length ball, on middle. Shreyas Iyer tucks it to mid-wicket. Martin Guptill picks up the ball and has a shy at the striker's end as Rishabh Pant is too casual completing the single but misses. A direct hit could have been close!

Two leg byes! Short of a length, on leg. Shreyas Iyer looks to pull but misses. The ball brushes off his thigh pad and goes to fine leg for a couple of leg byes.

WIDE! Full and spraying down the leg side, Iyer looks to flick but misses. Wided. These extras aren't going to help New Zealand's cause at the moment. Simply cannot afford giving extra runs.

Short of a length, on middle. Pant pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Good-length ball, on off. Pant plays it to extra cover.

Lockie Ferguson (3-0-21-0) is back on now.

Good timing but no run! Length ball, around off. Shreyas Iyer punches it to backward point. 21 needed from 18 balls!

Back of a length, on off. Shreyas Iyer looks to guide to third man but gets an inside edge past the stumps.

Shreyas Iyer walks out at number 5.

OUT! BOWLED! It has not been Trent Boult's night but bags his second wicket. This was on a length, on middle. Suryakumar Yadav goes far too across to play a sweep shot. He misses and the furniture behind him gets disturbed. He would have wanted to finish the game for his side but nevertheless has done his job and goes back to the pavilion after a terrific knock.

On middle, drilled down to long on for one.

WIDE! Short and way too outside off, Rishabh Pant again looks to play a ramp shot but misses. Wided by the umpire. Trent Boult is not happy with that call.

Short ball, on middle. Rishabh Pant looks to play the ramp shot but fails to do so.

Fuller in length, on middle. Rishabh Pant makes room and defends it back to the bowler.

LEG BYE! Short and on the pads. Pant looks to flick it away but misses. The ball rolls out and the batters collect a leg bye.

On off, Yadav pushes it to cover for a single.

MISFILED AND FOUR! Of all the people it was Boult who makes a mess out of it. Full and on the pads. Yadav comes across and whips it aerially towards deep square leg. Trent Boult comes forward but the ball goes through his palms and into the boundary. Not a good day at office for Boult.

FOUR! Second boundary of the over. Yadav continues on his merry way. Deft touch finding the gap. Length and outside off. Yadav comes across and guides it past short third man for a boundary.

Length, on off. Pant taps it to point and crosses for a single.

FOUR! What a hit! A full-length ball, outside off. Pant skips down the track and punches it through covers for a boundary.

Tim Southee comes back into the attack.

MISFIELD! Full and on off. Pant hits it to mid off. The fielder fumbles which allows the batters to cross for a single.

Overthrow! A length ball, outside off. Pant pushes it towards cover and grabs a single. The fielder overthrows which allows the batters to sneak another single.

Length ball, on top of off. Yadav stays inside the crease and pushes it towards point.

Length and outside off. Pant pushes it through covers for a single.

Fuller, on off. Yadav drives it to long off for a single.

SIX! Shot of authority! Yadav gets his half century in some style. A length ball, on middle and leg. Yadav gets inside the line and smokes it over the square leg fence for a maximum. This is the longer boundary but it does not matter. Yadav uses the pace on the ball really well.

Lockie Ferguson (2-0-9-0) is back into the attack.

Full and outside off. Yadav slashes it through covers for a single. A great over by Boult, a wicket and 6 runs off it.

FOUR! Nicely played. Wrists coming into play. This is phenomenal from Yadav. Pressure releaser. A length ball, around off. Yadav gets under it and lifts it over the cover region for a boundary.

Touch short and outside off. Yadav cuts it towards point, but straight to the fielder. Pant ventures out looking for a single, but was sent back in time.

Pant gets off the mark instantly! Full-length ball, on middle and leg. Pant clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Rishabh Pant walks out to bat at No.4

OUT! CAUGHT! Trent Boult after getting hit all across the park in his second over, gets the last laugh and gets rid of the skipper, Rohit Sharma. The only reason why Boult was brought on, he gets an important breakthrough. Boult serves an off-pace short delivery, on the bodyline. Sharma looks to hook it away, but ends up chipping it towards short fine leg. Rachin Ravindra take a couple of steps back and grabs the ball with ease. New Zealand have a glimmer of hope now.

Full and outside off. Sharma leans in and pushes it aerially towards point. The ball meets Guptill on a bounce.

Trent Boult (2-0-23-0) is brought back into the attack.

Oh! What a delivery! Floated, around off. The ball turns away off the surface. Yadav looks to defend it out but misses. A good delivery to end his 4-over spell. Santner finishes with figures of 4-0-19-1.

A couple now! Short and on off. Yadav cuts it towards point. Mark Chapman makes a half stop. The batters take two before the fielder cuts it out.

Another single now! Sharma moves to 48. Full, on off. Sharma goes inside out and lifts it over covers. They take one.

Full and on off. Yadav plays it past the bowler towards mid off. They take one.

Floated, around off, the ball moves away. Yadav stays back and taps it to cover.

Flighted, full and on off. Sharma pushes it through covers and gets a single.

Just a tad short, outside off. Suryakumar Yadav cuts hard past the point fielder. The fielder from deep cover runs to his left and keeps it to two. 61 runs needed off 48 balls!

Flatter ball, on a length, around middle. Rohit Sharma tucks it to the leg side and rotates the strike.

Another short ball, around leg. Suryakumar Yadav works it behind square on the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Punished by SKY! A half-tracker, around middle and leg. Suryakumar Yadav sits back and smashes it to wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a boundary. 50-run partnership comes up with this boundary.

A quicker ball, shorter in length, outside off. Suryakumar Yadav looks to cut but he misses.

Wide! Tossed up, outside off, turning away late. Suryakumar Yadav looks to go inside out but he misses. Wided!

SIX! SMASHED! Flatter ball, on a length, outside off. Suryakumar Yadav skips down without getting to the pitch of the ball, frees his arms and clears long on to collect a biggie!

Tossed up, around off, turning away late. Rohit Sharma prods and pushes it towards point.

Flatter and quicker, around leg. Suryakumar Yadav tucks it behind square on the leg side for a run.

A tad quicker, around middle. Rohit Sharma works it towards long on and rotates the strike.

On a length, around middle. Suryakumar Yadav eases it to long on for a single.

Santner sees Suryakumar Yadav skipping down, drags his length back and hurls a flatter ball, around off. SKY taps it towards backward point.

Flatter ball, on middle and leg. Rohit Sharma tucks it to the leg side for a run.

Mitchell Santner (2-0-10-1) is back on.

FOUR! That spoils a good over now! Length ball, darted on the pads. Suryakumar Yadav hangs back and whips it to the vacant deep mid-wicket region to collect a boundary. 80 runs needed off 60 balls!

A slower ball, shorter in length, outside off. Suryakumar Yadav stays back to play the ramp shot but he fails to get any bat on it.

Wide! Ferguson errs in line and spills this one way down leg. Suryakumar Yadav leaves it alone. Wided!

Three dots in a row! Good-length ball, just outside off, shaping away a bit. Suryakumar Yadav blocks it off the back foot.

Length ball, around off. Suryakumar Yadav stays back and pushes it to mid off.

Back of a length, around middle. Suryakumar Yadav tucks it to the leg side.

Lockie Ferguson is back into the attack. Gave away 3 runs in his first over.

Full ball, on off. Rohit Sharma drives it to wide of the diving cover fielder for a single.

SIX! BANG! Suryakumar Yadav gets hold of this one! Tossed up, in the slot, around middle. SKY whacks it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum!

Loopy ball, on middle and leg. Rohit Sharma drills it to long on for one.

In the air...but lands safely! Nicely tossed up, around off, turning away. Rohit Sharma looks to heave it across the line and gets a leading edge which falls in between the extra cover and the long off fielder. Two taken.

Flatter ball, shorter in length, around off. Rohit Sharma taps it to backward point.

Flatter ball, on a length, around middle and leg. Suryakumar Yadav eases it to long on for a run.

A full toss, around off. Suryakumar Yadav clips it to wide of long and takes a couple. The fielder in the deep keeps it to two.

Flatter ball, on off. Rohit Sharma defends it solidly.

Flatter and quicker, on leg. Suryakumar Yadav knocks it down to long on for one.

Much fuller, outside off. Suryakumar Yadav reaches out for it and drives this to sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

Flatter ball, on off. Suryakumar Yadav pushes it to cover.

Review time! Tim Southee has opted for a review as Suryakumar Yadav has been struck on his thigh pad in an attempt to play the sweep shot. Ball Tracker shows that the impact was well outside off so the on-field decision stays and the Kiwis lose a review.

NOT OUT! Flatter ball, on off. Suryakumar Yadav looks to sweep but misses. He gets hit on the pads. Mitchell Santner and Tim Seifert appeal for an lbw but the umpire says no. New Zealand take a review. UltraEdge shows there is no bat involved. Ball Tracking shows that the impact was outside off. The on-field decision stays and New Zealand burn their review.

Around off, Sharma nudges it on the leg side for a single.

A dot to end the over! Flatter ball, around off. Suryakumar Yadav rocks back and cuts it towards backward point. The ball falls just short of Daryl Mitchell.

Loopy ball, on off. Rohit Sharma punches it off the back foot to sweeper cover. He rotates the strike.

Full and on middle, pushed to long off for a single.

Drags his length back, on middle. Rohit Sharma clips it to mid-wicket for a run.

Full, tossed up, on off. Rohit Sharma works it to short extra cover.

FOUR! Class written all over it! A juicy full toss, outside off. Rohit Sharma prods and and all he does is hit it over extra cover to fetch himself a boundary. So easy on the eye!

Todd Astle comes to bowl now.

FOUR! Great end to the Powerplay for India! On the stumps, Suryakumar Yadav gets down on his knee and sweeps it to deep square leg for a boundary. End of the Powerplay, India are 56/1.

Flatter and quicker outside off, Suryakumar Yadav looks to drive but gets an outside edge to third man.

Much slower through the air, on leg. Suryakumar Yadav looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge to the off side.

Again angling into the pads, Rohit Sharma helps it on its way to fine leg for a single.

Angling into the pads, Suryakumar Yadav whips it to mid-wicket for one.

Suryakumar Yadav walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rohit Sharma did all the damage from the other end while KL Rahul holes out! This was a tad short from Mitchell Santner, on middle. KL Rahul hangs back and clobbers it towards deep square leg. Couldn't quite get the timing right. Mark Chapman takes an easy catch in the deep. Much needed breakthrough for New Zealand and Santner breaks the partnership. KL Rahul walks back to the pavilion.

Mitchell Santner comes into the attack.

Much better from Boult this time! Fuller in length, on leg, nipping back in. Rohit Sharma looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. 21 runs from the over. How often does Boult go for so many?

SIX! WOW! This is some serious hitting! Boult and Sharma play for the same team in the Indian T20 League and despite knowing his strengths, bowls it short, on middle. Rohit Sharma moves his weight back and pumps it over deep square leg for a biggie. Trent Boult is disappointed with himself. 50 up for India in no time!

FOUR! Top-notch from Sharma! Back of a length, outside off. Rohit Sharma places it with elegance through short third man for a boundary.

FOUR! Short again, boundary again! Way too short, on middle. Rohit Sharma looks to pull but misses. The ball goes over the keeper's head for a boundary. Rohit Sharma looks at the umpire and signals that it was a wide but the umpire thinks otherwise. Given runs off the bat. Replay confirms that there was no bat involved. Nonetheless, a boundary!

Length ball, outside off. KL Rahul chops it away off the bottom half of the bat to deep point for one.

Change of ends for Trent Boult.

SIX! Short and punished! Boutl bowls a short-of-a-length ball, on middle. KL Rahul waits for the ball to come and picks the bones out of that one. Pulls it with class all over deep square leg for a maximum.

Two runs! On the pads. Sharma works it towards fine leg. Rachin Ravindra coves a lot of ground to his right and saves a certain boundary. The batters take a couple.

LEG BYE! A full-length ball, on the pads. Rahul looks to clip it away but does not get any connection on it. The ball goes to the leg side off the pads. They collect a leg bye.

Good-length ball, on top of off. Rahul hangs back and blocks it back to the bowler.

LEG BYE! Full, on the pads. Sharma looks to flick it away but misses. The ball goes towards mid-wicket off the pads. The batters collect a leg bye.

Inswinging fuller delivery, on off. Sharma defends it back to the bowler.

Length ball, outside off. Rahul punches it through backward point for a single.

Lockie Ferguson comes to bowl.

SIX! BANG! Sharma started off slowly but he has shifted the gears in this over. Slightly short, on middle and off. Sharma stays back, swivels and smokes it over the square leg fence for a maximum. Southee is taking a beating here.

Full, on the pads. Sharma tucks it to the right of short fine leg. Boult moves to that side and makes a good stop.

A length ball, on the pads. Sharma looks to flick it away but misses.

FOUR! Whoa! What a shot! He has crushed it. Back of a length, outside off. Sharma stays back and cuts it through covers. The ball races away to the fence. There is no stopping that one.

FOUR! Sharma gets his first boundary off the innings. Full-length ball, outside off. Width offered and Sharma takes no time to pounce on it. Sharma lifts it over the cover region and bags a boundary.

BEATEN! Good-length ball, just outside off. Sharma comes down the track and looks to defend it out but misses. The ball zips past the outside edge.

WIDE! A length ball, going down leg. Sharma looks to flick it away but misses. Wide called.

Two dots to end the over! Fuller, around middle and leg. Rahul blocks it back to the bowler. A tidy over by Boult, just 2 runs off it.

Good length, outside off. Rahul stays back and looks to cut it away. The ball goes towards cover off the inner half.

Sharma gets off the mark on his fourth delivery. On a length, on the pads. Sharma flicks it to deep square leg for a run.

Sharma is yet to get underway! A length ball, on off. Sharma hangs back and defends it to point.

Length, on the pads. Rahul tucks it to square leg for a single.

Boult attacks the stumps straightaway. A length ball, around middle and off. The ball comes in off the deck. Rahul stays back and defends it back to the bowler.

Who will bowl from the other end? Trent Boult it is.

Leading edge this time! Fuller, on middle and leg. Sharma is early into his flick. The ball takes the outside edge and goes towards point. A good over by Southee.

Nice movement on this one. Good-length ball, outside off. The ball nips away off the surface. Sharma lets it go sail past him.

LEG BYE! Length, on the pads. Rahul misses his flick. The ball clips the pads and rolls out to the leg side. The batters collect a leg bye.

FOUR! EDGY! Fortune favours the brave they say, and Rahul was brave to play a late shot and it pays off. On a length, around off. Rahul stays back, waits for the ball and attacks the ball. The ball takes the outside edge, flies over Martin Guptill at first slip and into the fence at third man.

Good running! India and Rahul are off the mark. Full-length ball, on the pads. Rahul flicks it through square leg and gets a couple.

A dot to start with! Southee bowls one on the stumps. A length ball, around middle. Rahul covers the stumps and tucks it to mid-wicket. The ball meets the fielder there.

TWO BYES! A bit of chaos in the middle and the Kiwi batters sneak in a couple of byes off the last ball! Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Tim Southee misses his heave and looks for a bye. Rishabh Pant behind the sticks collects the ball cleanly and has a shy at his end but he misses. The ball goes towards long on and the batters come back for the second. New Zealand finish with 164/6.

Tim Southee walks in to face the last ball of the innings.

OUT! BOWLED! Mohammed Siraj gets his reward! Good-length ball, around leg. Rachin Ravindra clears his front leg and looks to slog but he misses and the ball crashes onto his stump. He was clearly not looking at his best out there in the middle!

Play and a miss! Siraj bangs it into the deck, around middle. Rachin Ravindra looks for the pull shot but fails to get any bat on it! Two dots in a row!

Excellent change of pace from Siraj! A slower ball, into the pitch, outside off. Rachin Ravindra skips down and looks to pull but he misses.

FOUR! Streaky, but Rachin Ravindra and New Zealand will take that! Length ball, around off. Ravindra looks to heave it away but he gets an inside edge and the ball goes past the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Mohammed Siraj has been hit hard on his fingers and immediately calls for the physio. Luckily, it is his non-bowling arm so he will be able to complete the over. He receives some treatment and looks fine now. We are set to resume.

A yorker-length delivery, around middle. Mitchell Santner digs it out back to the bowler. Mohammed Siraj looks to stop the ball with his left and gets hurt in the process. The ball ricochets towards long on and the batters cross for a run.

Mohammed Siraj (3-0-34-0) to bowl the final over.

Good-length ball, outside off. Mitchell Santner pulls it towards deep mid-wicket and collects a run.

Whoa! A run out chance goes begging! Back of a length, outside off. Mitchell Santner drags it towards Shreyas Iyer at long on and comes back for the second run. Iyer throws it to Bhuvneshwar Kumar who fails to collect it cleanly and Rachin Ravindra survives!

Back of a length, around off. Mitchell Santner stays back and pushes it to cover.

Slower ball, into the pitch, around middle. Rachin Ravindra pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Mitchell Santner is the new batsman in.

OUT! CAUGHT! India are pulling things back nicely here and New Zealand lose their fifth wicket! A slower ball, fuller in length, outside off. Tim Seifert reaches out and looks to slog but he only gets the toe end of the bat and the ball loops up in the air towards point. Suryakumar Yadav settles under it and takes a good catch.

Full ball, on the pads. Rachin Ravindra tucks it to the leg side and collets a run.

Swing and a miss! Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Tim Seifert looks to heave it away but he misses.

Good-length ball, around off. Rachin Ravindra punches it to extra cover and gets off the mark with a single.

India have taken a review taken for caught behind. UltraEdge shows no bat involved. The on-field decision stays and India lose a review.

NOT OUT! Chahar bangs it into the deck, outside off. Rachin Ravindra looks to cut it but he fails to get any bat on it. Deepak Chahar feels that the batter has got a nick on it so he convinces his skipper for a review. The Ultra Edge shows that there was no bat involved so the on-field decision stays and India lose a review!

Chahar hurls a slower ball, shorter in length, outside off. Tim Seifert drags it to long on for a single.

Rachin Ravindra walks out to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! Deepak Chahar gets lucky this time as this ball was also in the slot for Martin Guptill! Slower ball, fuller in length, around off. Guptill looks to heave it away yet again but he mistimes it in the air towards deep mid-wicket. Shreyas Iyer comes running in from the deep and takes a good low catch. Deepak Chahar gives him a stare too as Martin Guptill puts his head down and starts walking back.

SIX! WHACKED! This is brute force from Martin Guptill! Length ball, right in the slot, around off. Guptill stays low and dispatches it way over deep mid-wicket for a maximum!

Deepak Chahar (3-0-34-0) is brought back into the attack.

FOUR! DROPPED! Oh, dear! Axar Patel has put down a very simple catch and it could prove to be a costly one for the home side. Full ball, outside off. Tim Seifert slices it uppishly towards Axar Patel at deep cover. Patel drops it and the ball goes towards the ropes.

Well bowled! A yorker-length delivery, around off. Tim Seifert squeezes it out towards Rohit Sharma at extra cover.

A yorker, around off. Guptill digs it out towards cover and takes a run.

SIX! BOOM! Width on offer and Martin Guptill makes full use of it! Length ball, outside off. Guptill gets low and smacks it over deep extra cover for a biggie!

Back of a length, outside off. Tim Seifert hangs back and drags it to wide of long on for a run.

Full ball, just outside off. Martin Guptill drills it to long off for a single.

Wide! Full and way outside off. Martin Guptill lets it be. Wide called by the umpire.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2-0-5-1) comes back into the attack.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Sliding down the leg side, Tim Seifert sweeps this past short fine leg. Mohammed Siraj runs to his right and dives to stop the ball but his efforts go in vain as the ball wins the race. A boundary to end the over.

Tosses it up, on off. Tim Seifert looks to reverse sweep but mistimes it to point.

This is worked to mid-wicket for a single again by Guptill.

On middle and leg, Tim Seifert nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

On middle, swept to deep square leg for a single by Guptill.

Flatter ball, on middle and leg. Martin Guptill looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. Axar Patel appeals for an lbw but not given.

Axar Patel (3-0-24-0) is back on.

Tad full, outside off. Martin Guptill goes on his knee and slices it over covers for a single.

Short of a length, on off. Tim Seifert works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Length ball, outside off, slashed over extra cover for a single.

Around off, Martin Guptill drags it to deep mid-wicket for a brace.

SIX! Whoa! What a way to bring up the half century! In the slot and Martin Guptill clears his front foot and clobbers this one over mid-wicket for a biggie. This is also his first T20I fifty against India.

Leading edge but safe! Back of a length, on off. Martin Guptill looks to work it on the leg side but gets a leading edge towards backward point. The batters take a couple of runs.

Mohammed Siraj comes back to bowl. 21 runs came off his first 2 overs.

Tim Seifert walks out to bat.

Aorund off, Tim Seifert defends it off the front foot. Top over from Ravichandran Ashwin. He finishes his spell with figures of 4-0-23-2.

Review time! Glenn Phillips has opted for a review as he has been adjudged LBW!

OUT! LBW! This is turning out to be a great over for India! Loopy ball, on off, turning in. Glenn Phillips looks to defend on the back foot but misses. He gets hit on the pads. Ravichandran Ashwin and Co. appeal for an lbw and the umpire raises his finger without any hesitation.  Glenn Phillips opts for a review. UltraEdge shows a flat line as the ball passes the bat. Ball Tracker shows that the impact is umpire's call and wickets hitting. The original decision stays and Glenn Phillips' short stay comes to an end.

Big turn! Slower through the air, on off. Glenn Phillips looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the bads.

Beaten! A carrom ball, outside off. Glenn Phillips presses forward to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Glenn Phillips walks out to bat.

OUT! TIMBER! Excellent bowling from Ravichandran Ashwin. India needed that breakthrough. Tosses it up nicely, on middle. Mark Chapman looks to heave it across the line but is beaten by the flight. The ball turns away and disturbs the stumps behind him. Proper off-spinner dismissal for Ravichandran Ashwin. Celebrates it like it's just another day at the office for him.

FOUR! The boundaries keep coming for them now! Tossed up, outside off. Mark Chapman drives it through extra cover for a boundary.

Ravichandran Ashwin (3-0-19-0) comes back into the attack.

FOUR! Another over which ends with a boundary! Full and on the pads, Martin Guptill flicks it past the fielder at backward square leg for a boundary. 41 runs off the last 3 overs.

Short of a length, around off. Martin Guptill pulls it to cow corner for a brace. 100-run partnership between these two batters as well.

100 up for New Zealand! Takes pace off the ball, outside off. Mark Chapman makes a lot of room for himself but ends up chipping it to long off for just a single.

Short and outside off, Chapman walks down the track and slaps it over cover for a couple of runs.

Outside off, Martin Guptill slashes it towards sweeper cover for a single.

Length ball, outside off. Martin Guptill looks to thump it over long on but the ball stays a little low. It goes off the inside edge back to the keeper who carries it on a bounce.

Deepak Chahar (2-0-24-0) comes back to bowl.

FOUR! And again, 10 runs come off the last two deliveries. Flatter, around off. Chapman stays back and cuts it through point. The ball goes past the fielder and into the fence.

SIX! That is a freebie. Full toss, on the bodyline. Chapman stands tall and smokes it over the square leg fence for a maximum. With this Chapman also gets his maiden T20I FIFTY. He has done well to take his side to safer shores. Although the job isn't done yet and he knows that.

Tossed up, on off. Chapman drives it through cover. Shreyas Iyer does well in the deep, to save a certain boundary. The batters pick two with ease.

Flatter, around off. Chapman goes back and puhses it to cover, but straight to the fielder.

WIDE! Floated, way outside off. Chapman looks to reverse hit it but misses. Wide called by the umpire. Looks like that was a little harsh on the bowler.

Full, around middle and leg. Guptill eases it down to long on. They take one.

Loopy ball, around off. The ball turns in. Chapman goes back and taps it to point for a single.

FOUR! Here we go! Two consecutive boundaries for Guptill to end what was turning out to be a good over by Siraj. A full-length ball, on off. Guptill gets behind it and punches it towards long on for a boundary. 16 runs coming off it. The message is clear for the batters here. Attack, attack, attack.

SIX! BANG! Guptill makes the most of the width offered. Slower delivery, on a length, outside off. Guptill sets himself up and smokes it over the wide long off fence for a maximum.

A couple now! New Zealand need boundaries at the moment. It has been a while. A yorker length delivery, around middle and leg. Guptill digs it out towards mid-wicket. The batters take two runs.

A length ball, on off. Chapman works it to the off side for a single.

Full-length ball, on the pads. Guptill hits it towards short fine leg. Deepak Chahar dives to his right to make a great stop. The batters pick up a single.

In the air...SAFE! Slightly short and on off. Guptill looks to heave it across the line. The ball skies high in the air, off the bottom half. Although, it evades the fielder at mid-wicket. The batters take two.

Mohammed Siraj is back into the attack. Went for 5 runs in his first over.

How are the bails still on? Axar Patel has his palms on his face. He can't believe it. Loopy ball, around off. Chapman looks to defend it out but misses. He gets tangled in his defence. The ball goes past his blade and misses the off pole by a whisker. New Zealand are 65/1 at the halfway mark.

Swing and a miss! Full and wide outside off. Chapman looks to chase it but misses.

Tossed up, around leg. Guptill comes forward and looks to clip it away. The ball takes the inside edge and it goes towards the off side off the pads. They take one.

On off, Chapman works it to the off side for a single.

Full and outside off. Chapman hits it back to the bowler, as he is trying to free his arms now. This dot ball will put the pressure on the batter.

LEG BYE! Flatter, on the pads. Guptill gets down on one knee and looks to sweep it away but misses. The ball goes off the pads towards short fine leg. Guptill crosses and collects a leg bye.

Floated, full and on the pads. Guptill looks to flick it away but misses. The ball goes to the leg side off the pads. The batters collect a leg bye.

Touch short, around middle and off. Chapman goes on the back foot and lifts it towards long on to get a single.

Floated, full and on off. Guptill works it to long on for a single. These two batters are making sure they keep the runs ticking.

Full and on the pads. Martin Guptill clips it to mid-wicket. The batters take two comfortably.

Another single now! Looped up, outside off. Chapman pushes it through covers for a single.

Tossed up, around off. Guptill stands tall and punches it to long off for a single.

Quicker ball, fuller in length, around middle. Martin Guptill eases it to long on for a single.

Just a tad short, outside off. Mark Chapman cuts it to deep cover and takes a single.

Excellent running from the Kiwi batters! Flatter ball, darted on the pads. Mark Chapman nudges it to the vacant mid on region and comes back for the second run.

Slightly fuller in length, around middle and leg. Martin Guptill tucks it to the leg side for a single.

Flatter and quicker, outside off. Chapman punches it to deep cover for a run.

Flatter ball, on a length, around off. Martin Guptill sweeps it to deep square leg and takes a run.

Axar Patel comes into the attack now. He replaces Deepak Chahar.

FOUR! Top shot! Fuller in length, around leg. Mark Chapman gets down on his knee and sweeps it behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

Lovely delivery from Ashwin! Loopy ball, around off, turning away late. Chapman skips down and looks to work it to the leg side but he is deceived by the change of pace and gets hit on his pad.

Quicker ball, around off. Mark Chapman hits it to the right of the bowler. Ravichandran Ashwin dives and stops the single.

Rohit Sharma is back on the field. He looks to be alright to continue.

Tossed up, on a length, outside off. Martin Guptill looks to drive but it goes off the outer half of the blade towards deep point. A single taken.

Flatter ball, around off. Mark Chapman stays back and works it to long off for a single.

Tossed up, outside off. Martin Guptill drills it to long off for a run.

SIX! BANG! There is the first maximum of the innings and New Zealand end the Powerplay on a high! Short ball, outside off. Mark Chapman stands tall and pulls it over deep square leg for a biggie. The Kiwis are 41/1 at the end of the Powerplay.

Another swing and a miss! Chahar bowls a slower one, shorter in length, outside off. Mark Chapman looks to slog but fails to get any blade on it.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Full ball, on the pads. Chapman whips it to the vacant deep mid-wicket region for a boundary.

Rohit Sharma is out in the dugout with an external injury. Looks like a slight niggle on the finger. He should be back on the field soon.

Play and a miss! A knuckle ball, on a length, outside off. Mark Chapman looks to heave it away on the leg side but he misses.

On a length, around middle and leg. Martin Guptill flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Martin Guptill finally gets hold of this one! Chahar hurls a slower ball, shorter in length, outside off. Guptill shimmies down a bit and pulls it to the right of the long on fielder to collect a boundary.

A single to end the over! Loopy ball, around off. Martin Guptill tucks it to the leg side.

A tad short, outside off. Martin Guptill hangs back and cuts it to cover.

Flatter and quicker, outside off. Mark Chapman punches it to cover and takes a quick run.

Top effort by KL Rahul in the deep. Fuller in length, outside off. Mark Chapman drives it hard to the right of the long off fielder. KL Rahul runs there, puts in a dive and saves a couple for his side.

Flatter ball, outside off. Mark Chapman stays back to cut but he fails to get any bat on it.

Tossed up, outside off. Mark Chapman prods and drives it to wide of long off. KL Rahul there runs to his right and keeps it to two.

Time for some spin. Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack. He replaces Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Short of a length, on middle. Mark Chapman tries to whack it through the leg side. Didn't quite get the hold of the shot and it rolls towards the right of mid on for one.

Full and on off, Guptill drives it back to the bowler with the full face of the bat. Mohammed Siraj gets his hand on it but couldn't prevent a single as the ball deflects off his hands and goes to mid on.

A direct hit and that would have been curtains for Mark Chapman! Fuller in length, on leg. Mark Chapman pushes it to mid-wicket. Rohit Sharma collects the ball and has an aim at the bowler's end but misses by inches. Another run out chance gone begging!

WIDE! Too short, outside off. Mark Chapman tries to ramp it over the keeper's head but fails to do so. Wide called for height.

Short of a length, on middle. Mark Chapman looks to advance and pull it over mid-wicket. No timing on that one though as he gets an inside edge to mid-wicket.

Shortens his length, around off. Mark Chapman knocks it back to the bowler.

Quick single! Back of a length, on middle. Martin Guptill hops and tucks it to short fine leg. He takes off for a quick single. Ravichandran Ashwin has a shy at the striker's end but misses.

Mohammed Siraj comes into the attack now. He replaces Deepak Chahar.

Tad fuller, around off. Mark Chapman defends it on the off side.

Back of a length, on off. Mark Chapman looks to defend. The ball goes off the shoulder of the bat towards point.

On middle, Chapman clips it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Edged but safe! A slip in place and Mark Chapman would have been a goner. Good-length ball, on off. Mark Chapman prods and looks to drive. The ball goes off the outside edge towards third man for a boundary. Well past Rishabh Pant's grasp who dove to his left. There was a slip stationed before this delivery, but Kumar asked the skipper to change the position. A gut feeling going wrong for Bhuvneshwar Kumar this time.

On a good length, on off. Mark Chapman defends this one right under his eyes.

Good-length ball, outside off, at 135.2 kph. Mark Chapman punches it to point.

Back of a length, on leg, at 134.8 kph. Mark Chapman looks to pull it fiercely but is pretty late on his shot. The ball drops on the leg side and he retains the strike by taking a single. A much-better over for New Zealand. 9 runs coming off it.

Length ball, on off. Mark Chapman prods and looks to defend. The ball goes off the inside edge towards backward square leg for a brace.

FOUR! First boundary of the innings! Aerial but in the gap! Width offered again, outside off. Mark Chapman frees his arms and hits it uppishly over extra cover. The ball races away to the boundary.

A touch fuller, outside off. Mark Chapman leans into a drive but finds the fielder at extra cover.

Chapman gets off the mark! Width on offer, outside off. Mark Chapman slashes it through covers for a couple of runs.

Back of a length, on off, at 132.2 kph. Mark Chapman stands tall and knocks it back to the bowler.

Deepak Chahar to steam in from the other end.

Good-length ball, on leg, at 132.6 kph. Mark Chapman looks to tuck it on the leg side but misses. He gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls to the off side and the batters take a single. Terrific start from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. A wicket and two runs off it.

On a length, on middle. Mark Chapman pushes it to mid on.

Length ball, outside off, nipping away. Mark Chapman leaves it alone.

Who will walk out next? Mark Chapman walks out at number 3.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! That's the inswinger that he is known for! Good-length ball, on off, coming back in sharply. Daryl Mitchell is caught at the crease as he looks to defend. Big gap between bat and pad. The ball goes through and shatters the stumps behind him. What a start for India. A golden duck for Daryl Mitchell and he has to walk back to the pavilion.

Martin Guptill and New Zealand are underway! Good-length ball from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, outside off. Guptill pushes it towards cover-point for a quick run. Shreyas Iyer collects the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Guptill gets a single in the end.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar starts with a good-length ball, on off. A hint of away movement for him. Martin Guptill stands up on his toes and taps it towards point.

Done with the pre-match preceedings. The Indian players now spread out to their respective fielding positions. Followed by Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell who walk out to bat for the Kiwis. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start with the ball.

We are set to get underway! Both the teams walk out to the middle for the national anthems. It will be New Zealand's first, followed by the Indian national anthem.

The debutant, Venkatesh Iyer, is up for a chat. He says that it feels good and he is happy that he has been given the opportunity to represent his country. Tells that Rahul Dravid is a legend of the game and he is looking forward to work with him. Adds that he wants to be flexible as a cricketer and is ready to perform any kind of role that the team demands. Signs off by saying that it is great that the crowds are back in the stadium.

Tim Southee says that they would have bowled first as well as dew will come into the picture. Mentions that the guys are disappointed to not get a win in the World Cup but they are excited to be back and give their all. Informs that they have got 4 changes from the side they played in the World Cup final. James Neesham, Ish Sodhi, Kane Williamson and Adam Milne miss out. Lockie Ferguson, Mark Chapman, Todd Astle and Rachin Ravindra replace them.

Rohit Sharma, the skipper of India, says that they will bowl first. Adds that the wicket looks good and they would like to chase keeping in mind the dew factor. Tells that it has been a quick turnaround for them but they are eager to get going. Informs that Shreyas Iyer is back and they are going in with three pacers, two spinners, five batters and Venkatesh Iyer would be playing as an all-rounder.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert (WK), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (C), Todd Astle, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

India (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Venkatesh Iyer (On his T20I Debut),  Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj.

TOSS - Rohit Sharma and Tim Southee are out in the middle for an all-important toss. The coin goes up and lands in favour of India. They have opted to BOWL first.

The news from the middle is that Venkatesh Iyer will me making his international debut after an impressive stint in the second half of the Indian T20 League. He received his maiden cap from skipper, Rohit Sharma.

PITCH REPORT – Deep Dasgupta is down near the pitch. He says that this is the first T20I at this venue. Ajit Agarkar joins him, he says it looks like a good pitch. There are a few cracks but that won’t be an issue. The spinners have fared really well on this pitch. Ends by saying, it looks like a good batting pitch.

India, on the other hand, are embarking into a new era of Rahul Dravid. This could also very well be Rohit Sharma's first assignment as a full-time skipper in this format and would like to start off with a winning note. Both, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have been in phenomenal touch and poses the biggest threat to the Kiwis. While Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav would be itching to prove their worth, there are a couple of new faces in the squad as well. Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan and Harshal Patel - all of them showed their potential in the Indian T20 League and are exciting prospects. It will be interesting to see them in the blue jersey if they get a game. India might be favourites considering they are playing on Indian soil and also have fresh faces but New Zealand are an irresistible side and have a core group who can outperform any side on any given day. That being said, stay tuned for further updates.

New Zealand will miss the services of Kane Williamson and Tim Southee is set to lead the Kiwis in his absence. Apart from Williamson, no other key player is rested and have a full strength squad. Their opening pair - Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell head to this series on the back of good form. They will miss Devon Conway in the middle order but this gives a perfect opportunity for Glenn Phillips and Tim Seifert to stamp their authority. On the bowling front, much of their cast remains the same. Lockie Ferguson who missed out on the T20 World Cup is also back in the mix which should further boost their pace attack. Will Tim Southee and his troops start the series with a win ?

Well well well, the T20 World Cup escalated pretty quickly, didn't it? Just three days and New Zealand after finishing as runners-up have another task in their hand. They are up against India for a three-match T20I series. While India couldn't get through the group stage, the Black Caps would be high on confidence though they could lack intensity since they are playing a fresh series in less than 72 hours after the T20 World Cup final. On that note, welcome to the coverage.

...MATCH DAY...