New Zealand beat India by 4 runs in third T20 match to clinch series
New Zealand Cricket team on Sunday defeated the Indian team in the 3rd and final T20I of the series and thereby winning the series in a nail biting series decider in Hamilton.
Chasing a target of 213 runs, set by the Black caps after opting to bowl first, India got the desired start, even after losing Shikhar Dhawan in the first over, as youngster Vijay Shankar at number 3 and skipper Rohit Sharma steadied the ship for the visitors and nicely keeping up with the required run rate.
But after the departure of Vijay Shankar after scoring a well-made 43, the visitors kept losing wickets at regular interval despite some good cameos by Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya.
Towards the end, senior man Dinesh Karthik and Krunal Pandya tried their heart out to take their team home, but missed on the opportunity by 4 runs, thereby conceding the series.
Skipper Rohit Sharma, speaking after the match added "It would have been nice to win the series and go home and play Australia, but unfortunately we couldn't do that".
Mahendra Singh Dhoni who came in to bat at number five, one again disaapointed his fans in New Zealand who were present to watch Dhoni with placards reading "Vintage Dhoni, one last time in New Zealand".
With the T20I over, India conclude their long tour of Australia and New Zealand which began in October last year, and will now host Australia at home for 2 T20Is and 5 ODIs starting Feb 24
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Speaker UT Khader attends local cricket tournament during Bhatkal visit
Bhatkal: Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly U. T. Khader visited Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada district on Saturday and attended a local cricket match being played as part of a tournament organised by the Cosmos Sports Centre of Bhatkal.
After attending a programme at Anjuman Hami-E-Muslimeen, Khader proceeded to the Bhatkal Taluka Stadium, where the tournament is underway. He was accompanied by office-bearers of the Cosmos Sports Centre and several local community leaders.
Those present during the visit included President of Majlis-e-Islah Wa Tanzeem and former JD(S) leader Inayathullah Shabandri, Vice President of Tanzeem Atiqur Rahman Muniri, General Secretary Abdul Raqeeb MJ, President of Cosmos Sports Centre Ismail Anjum, Managing Director of Mohtisham Complexes S. M. Arshad, former president of the Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation Imtiyaz Udyawar, among others.
Addressing players and organisers, Khader extended his best wishes to the participating teams and urged the players to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship. He said such tournaments help promote unity and brotherhood among the youth.
The cricket tournament began on November 21 and will conclude with the final match on December 21. It is being organised as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Cosmos Sports Centre.
Cosmos Sports Centre is one of the member clubs of the Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation and is known for its active role in promoting sports in the town. Apart from sporting activities, the centre is also involved in various social and community initiatives, including efforts to promote education among students.
