New Zealand left India in a spin in Ranchi to clinch the T20I opener by 21 runs despite Washington Sundar's splendid all-round show on Friday (January 27. Defending a competitive total of 176/9, New Zealand made the most of the spin-friendly track to bamboozle India as the hosts crumbled down to 155/9 in the series opener to hand the Black Caps a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Michael Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson and captain Mitchell Santner snared two wickets each to keep Indian batters in check.
After bowling a splendid spell of 2/22, Sundar did pose a threat to New Zealand with his lightning 50 off 28 while batting but to only see his side going down to Kiwis.
Batting first, Conway (52 from 35 balls) and Finn Allen (35 from 23) steadied New Zealand's boat after Sundar's double whammy in the fifth over.
Sundar (2/22) and Kuldeep Yadav (1/20) contained the Black Caps, but Mitchell provided the fireworks to get them up to 176/6 by scoring 59 not out from only 30 deliveries. He took 27 off a nightmare final over from Arshdeep Singh, hitting three consecutive sixes to silence an expectant crowd.
India were in deep trouble on 15-3 in the fourth over of the run chase, Ishan Kishan bowled by a peach of a delivery from Michael Bracewell before Rahul Tripathi and the in-form Shubman Gill fell cheaply.
Newly crowned ICC T20I player of the year Suryakumar Yadav gave India hope with a classy 47, but he was on his way after holing out to Allen when trying to launch Ish Sodhi into the stands.
Stand-in captain Mitchell Santner (2/11) and Bracewell (2/31) bowled beautifully, while Lockie Ferguson (2/33) and Jacob Duffy (1/27) also made their mark as a maiden T20I half-century from Sundar (50 n.o off 28) was in vain with India restricted to 155/9.
It was just a second win in 12 matches against India in the shortest format which gave New Zealand a winning start after suffering an ODI series sweep at the hands of India.
