New Zealand shatters India's 20-20 WC dream, beat them by 8 wickets to put their campaign in jeopardy

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It’s over for India! They are not technically out of the semifinals but anyone with some sense of the game will understand that India’s campaign in the 20-20 World Cup is over. The team lost their second consecutive game and went down to New Zealand by 8 wickets. They have three matches left against relatively easier teams but New Zealand are also going to play against them, and most likely will end up winning. Even Afghanistan cannot be counted out. Even if there are few upsets, India’s net run rate has taken a beating which is why it will be very difficult for them to qualify.

Speaking about the match, it was New Zealand all the way, right from the toss. Williamson called it right and put India in to bat. Given the previous results, half the match was won by New Zealand there itself. But the team didn’t take anything for granted and came out all guns blazing. The pitch was slightly on the slower side and Indian batters had no answers to New Zealand spinners, who choked India for runs. The pacers, Trent Boult, Adam Milne and Tim Southee complimented them well. At one point, India looked liked getting restricted to a total below hundred by a cameo by Ravindra Jadeja pushed them to 110 -7, way below what India would have wanted.

The chase was as smooth as anything. The openers looked at complete ease against a low on confidence Indian bowlers. While Bumrah managed to remove Guptill early, Daryl Mitchell unleashed a beast mode and shattered India’s hopes. He fell one run short of his 50 but the match was done by then. Kane Williamson too played a calm knock of 33.

Even if India win all their remaining games, they will need other results to go their way for them to qualify. However, any more upset is unlikely.