India T20 World Cup future hangs in balance as New Zealand seals victory by eight wickets

KATHMANDU, November 1: India’s future at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 is out of their own hands after New Zealand produced a stunning win in Dubai.

Set a modest target of 111 to win the Group 2 fixture, Kiwi opener Daryl Mitchell top-scored in a comfortable chase, hitting a quickfire 49 as his side chased it down with 33 balls to spare.

The result means that India will need other games to go their way if they are to reach the semi-finals.

Earlier India endured a disappointing evening with the bat, limping to 110/7 off their 20 overs after being put in to bat first.

Even captain Kane Williamson wouldn’t have expected his attack to tie India in knots to the extent that they did, with Ravindra Jadeja top-scoring with 26 at the death in a disappointing showing from the pre-tournament favourites.

All five New Zealand bowlers excelled, but it was the spin pair of Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi who kept things particularly tight, going for just 32 runs off their combined eight overs, with Sodhi taking the crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.