New Zealand’s fraught relationship with super overs continued as they fell short against India in what proved to be the series-deciding T20I in Hamilton on Wednesday.
The hosts had the chance to come out on top multiple times in the game, particularly in the final over, when they required two runs from four balls, with Kane Williamson on strike and 95 not out in a chase of 180. Things spiralled out of control, however, as Mohammed Shami conceded just one run and picked up two wickets to leave scores level after 40 overs. New Zealand needed just one run off the final delivery, but Ross Taylor chopped onto his stumps, forcing the hosts to a super over.
Williamson, who batted masterfully in the chase, came to New Zealand’s rescue once again, slamming Bumrah for a six and a four to set India a target of 18. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul emerged to navigate the chase, while Tim Southee was brought on to bowl the fifth super over of his career.
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The India openers scored just three runs from the first two balls, and it looked like New Zealand were finally going to break their hoodoo, having endured a nightmare time in one-over deciders over the last seven months. They infamously lost the 2019 World Cup final in a super over, equalling England’s total of 15 but falling short on the boundary countback rule. When the two sides faced off in a series-deciding T20I last November, the Black Caps couldn’t enact revenge, only hitting 8 after England amassed 17.
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With two balls left, the equation favoured New Zealand, with India needing 10 to win and go 3-0 up in the five-match series.
However, Rohit, who had scored a half-century earlier in the game, stepped up spectacularly. He slammed both balls for sixes, as India finished on 20, picking up their first T20I series-victory in New Zealand.
In total, New Zealand have taken part in seven super overs and one just won, back in 2010.
