Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has picked Mitchell Santner’s last over as the turning point of the first T20I between New Zealand and India at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Thursday. The New Zealand skipper was taken for 19 runs in the 17th over of the innings, and thus the equation was reduced to 29 runs off 18 balls for India.
Before that over, Santner had conceded only 20 runs in his first three overs and also scalped two wickets. However, he was taken to the cleaners by Shreyas Iyer and especially, Naman Dhir.
Dhir added the finishing touches for India as he scored 42 runs off 15 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes.
Aakash Chopra said on his Cricinfo, “Yes, it was the turning point, because it seemed that the match might change. Maybe Mitchell Santner could have taken New Zealand to victory. But Naman Dhir had completely different intentions.”
On the other hand, Chopra admitted that the New Zealand spinners – Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner – got the hosts back into the contest after Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma added 95 runs off 35 balls.
He added, “The way the Indian batsmen started, it seemed that they would chase down the target by the 17th or the 18th over. But both the spinners came in and not only controlled the pace of the runs, but also got some wickets.”
Sanju Samson was awarded Player of the Match for scoring 67 runs off just 33 balls in the series opener. Furthermore, Indian captain Shreyas Iyer scored 42 runs off 28 balls in the run chase of 226.
The second T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Saturday.
