IND vs NZ Ball by Ball Commentary

5:52 PM IST That's a wrap to this game. We look forward to your company on Sunday for the last T20I in Kolkata. The action will begin at 7 pm local (1.30 pm GMT) but you can join us in advance for the build-up. Cheers!

6:01 PM IST HARSHAL PATEL (4-0-25-2) IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH! The debutant says that he was so engrossed in the process that he forgot to enjoy what's happening around but the feeling will sink in soon. Says that progress is gradual and slow and he had to build his game a lot as he was not exceptionally talented. Adds that with time, he found what works for him and built his own game. Feels that one does not need a lot of variations but one needs to execute the plans well. Mentions that he could not bowl those loopy slower balls in these conditions and that he would like to better his yorkers. Shares that he wants to do his processes right and enjoy all the success that comes his way.

5:59 PM IST Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, says that it has been a great effort from the entire unit. He adds that these were not easy conditions and credits his boys for their application and temperament out there in the middle. He says that they were under pressure at the start but they wanted just one wicket to put the brakes on and he had full faith in the quality of the spin bowlers in the team. Adds that playing for India, there is always pressure but says that his job on the field is to make the players comfortable. Mentions that everyone will get the opportunity but it is important to give the players who are now in the team some game time. He finally applauds Harshal Patel and says that he is happy for him that he has got the opportunity and has performed well in his debut game.

5:46 PM IST Tim Southee, the skipper of New Zealand, says that they got off to a great start but credits India by saying that they pulled back things nicely in the end. Adds that they had practised with the wet ball, they tried hard but says that India were too good. Tells us that they now will go to Kolkata and try to assess the conditions.

5:44 PM IST Presentation time...

5:44 PM IST KL Rahul, the top scorer for India, comes up for a chat. Says that they did well with the ball in the backend and pulled things back. Shares that they decided that the change in pace was the way to go. Adds that they played around with the field and were brave with the ball to restrict New Zealand to a below-par score. Mentions that he and Rohit Sharma give themselves a few overs to see what the pitch is doing and then decide the shot selection. States that they try to enjoy their batting and after the 10th over, they decided to cut loose and attack the bowlers. Further says that they try and see what is working best for them as a batting unit. Feels that they have a lot of firepower in the middle order and that gives the openers an extra cushion. On his partnership with Rohit and their key to success together, KL says that he enjoys batting with Rohit and is a big admirer of his batting. Tells us that they try to take the pressure off each other and he hopes to keep doing the same.

5:43 PM IST New Zealand fought well but again ended on the wrong side of the result. With the bat, they threw away the advantage after a fantastic Powerplay and only managed a below-par total. They only fetched 28 runs from the last 5 overs and this is something that cost them the most. Their bowling was decent, nothing extraordinary, as they failed to pick early wickets. The Kiwis did manage to gain some control in the first half of the chase with the ball but soon India attacked and everything went haywire for the tourists. Tim Southee was the only bowler who impressed with a 3-wicket haul as the rest struggled for control.

5:39 PM IST A clinical chase from India. They didn't go hammer and tongs at the start and concentrated on preserving the wickets. After the Powerplay, the Black Caps applied the choke and the required rate started to mount. But, Rohit Sharma decided to cut loose and soon, India were in full control of the chase. Both Rohit and KL Rahul played superbly and were once again involved in a century stand. Their knocks nearly put the chase to bed and despite losing a few quick wickets, the job done by the openers meant that the middle order could finish the game with plenty of balls to spare.

5:23 PM IST The Reign of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid kicks off with a series win! The Indian openers looked so elegant with the bat as they continued their sublime form to seal not just the game but also this T20I series. The Kiwi skipper, Tim Southee, was the only bowler who bowled as the conditions demanded and was rewarded with 3 wickets, but it was all too late for them. India won the match very comfortably with Pant finishing things off in style.

5:55 PM IST SIX! There comes Rishabh Pant's one-handed biggie and he seals the game as well as the series for India in his trademark style! A slower ball, on a length, around off. Pant skips down and lofts it back over the bowler's head for a maximum! INDIA WIN THE MATCH BY 7 WICKETS and they take an unassailable lead of 2-0 in this three-match T20I series.

5:18 PM IST SIX! CRUNCHED! Full ball, outside off. Rishabh Pant reaches out and smacks it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum! He clears the ropes by a very small margin! India are only a hit away from victory now!

5:16 PM IST FOUR! Shortish outside off, Venkatesh Iyer looks to push it off the back foot towards covers but he gets a thick outside edge and the ball races away to the fence at third man. 11 runs needed off 18 balls.

5:17 PM IST Leg bye! Good-length ball, down the leg side. Rishabh Pant misses his flick and the ball clips his thigh pad. The ball rolls away to the leg side for a leg bye.

5:16 PM IST Back of a length, around middle. Rishabh Pant looks to tuck it to the leg side but he misses and gets hit on the body. Pant is clearly struggling to find his timing.

5:16 PM IST Good-length ball, around off. Rishabh Pant skips down a bit and looks to defend but gets hit high on his thumb as the ball shoots off from the deck. That would have hurt but he is not showing much pain.

5:14 PM IST Review time! New Zealand have reviewed this for caught behind. No bat on that. They now check for LBW. But the impact is outside off.

5:16 PM IST NOT OUT! Fractionally short and around off, Rishabh Pant looks to heave it across the line but he fails to middle his shot properly. There is some sound as it goes to the keeper. The Kiwis appeal for caught behind but the umpire says no. Tim Southee opts for a review but the UltraEdge clearly shows that the ball had brushed the thigh pad and not the bat. The third umpire quickly checks for the lbw as well but the impact is well outside off.

5:12 PM IST Length ball, around middle. Venkatesh Iyer eases it to long on for a run.

5:11 PM IST Rishabh Pant walks out to bat.

5:11 PM IST OUT! Chopped on! Back of a length, outside off. Suryakumar Yadav looks to cut it away from his body but gets a thick inside edge which rattles the off stump. A top outing for Southee, 4-0-16-3.

5:10 PM IST Full ball, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer works it towards long off for a single.

5:09 PM IST Length ball, around leg. Suryakumar Yadav clips it to fine leg and gets off the mark with a run.

5:08 PM IST Suryakumar Yadav will bat now.

5:08 PM IST OUT! TAKEN! Soft dismissal and Rohit Sharma is absolutely distraught with himself! A touch short in length around off, sticking into the surface and Sharma gets deceived by it. He pushes it uppishly towards Martin Guptill at extra cover who takes a dolly there. End of a fine knock by the Indian skipper but he would have loved to finish the chase. 19 needed more off 27 balls.

5:06 PM IST Short of a length, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer stays back and punches it towards deep cover for a single.

5:06 PM IST Length ball, around off. Venkatesh Iyer pushes it to mid off.

5:05 PM IST SIX! WOW! What a way to bring up your fifty! Milne bangs it into the deck, around leg. Rohit Sharma stays back and plays his trademark hook shot over fine leg to collect a maximum. His 25th T20I fifty.

5:04 PM IST Length ball, angling in from middle. Venkatesh Iyer turns it to wide mid on for a hesitant run.

5:03 PM IST Back of a length, around off. Venkatesh Iyer looks to tuck it on the leg side but he misses and gets hit high on his body. The ball rolls away to the off side.

5:03 PM IST FOUR! Streaky, but Venkatesh Iyer won't mind that! He finally gets off the mark! Good-length ball, just outside off. Iyer looks to punch it through covers but he gets a thick inside edge and the ball goes past the keeper and races away to the fence at fine leg.

5:02 PM IST Good-length ball, around middle. Venkatesh Iyer hangs back and pushes it back to the bowler.

5:01 PM IST Back of a length, jagging back in from outside off. Rohit Sharma is cramped for room as he tries to cut it. The ball goes towards point and the batters take one.

5:00 PM IST Swing and a miss! Back of a length, jagging back in from outside off. Venkatesh Iyer stands tall and looks to punch it through covers but he misses. 32 runs needed off 36 balls.

4:59 PM IST Good-length delivery, angling in from off. Venkatesh Iyer stays back and pushes it to cover.

4:58 PM IST Back of a length, around leg. Rohit Sharma tucks it behind square on the leg side for a run.

4:58 PM IST FOUR LEG BYES! Short ball, around middle. Rohit Sharma looks to pull but he misses and gets hit on his right shoulder. The ball races away past the keeper and goes into the fence.

4:57 PM IST Venkatesh Iyer walks out to bat now.

4:56 PM IST OUT! TAKEN! Tim Southee strikes and the Kiwis finally get the breakthrough! A slower ball, banged into the pitch, around off. KL Rahul sits back and looks to heave it over deep mid-wicket but he does not middle it. The ball takes the splice of the bat and lobs up in the air. Glenn Phillips at deep square leg settles under it and takes a good catch.

4:55 PM IST Good-length ball, on the pads. Rohit Sharma tickles it uppishly towards fine leg for a single.

4:54 PM IST Tim Southee (2-0-11-0) is back on.

4:53 PM IST A low full toss, outside off. Rohit Sharma strokes it towards sweeper cover and keeps the strike for the next over. 38 runs needed off 42 balls.

4:52 PM IST Flatter ball, around middle and leg. KL Rahul backs away and works it towards long on for a single.

4:51 PM IST Tossed up, outside off. Rohit Sharma gets down on his knees, reaches out and paddles it behind square on the leg side for a run.

4:50 PM IST SIX! High and handsome! Sharma backs away to the leg side so Santner follows him with a flatter ball. Sharma rocks back and pulls it over the square leg fence.

4:49 PM IST Tossed up, on the pads. Rahul works it to long on for one.

4:49 PM IST Full ball, on the pads. Worked past short fine leg for one.

4:49 PM IST FOUR! Wonderfully played! Slower ball, on a length, down the leg side. Rahul clips it past short fine leg and the ball runs to the fence. India's game to lose now. They need 49 in 8 overs.

4:46 PM IST Length ball, on the pads. Worked past square leg for a single.

4:46 PM IST FOUR! Brilliantly played! Yorker, on off. Sharma carves it towards point. The man in the deep runs to his left and dives but cannot stop it. Boundary and that brings up the 100-run stand between these two!

4:44 PM IST Short ball, down the leg side. Sharma goes for the pull but the ball zips over his head. Tim Seifert does well to gather it. Wide called.

4:45 PM IST A very full ball, outside off. Rahul drills it to long off for one.

4:43 PM IST Short of a length, on leg. Sharma slaps it to long on for one.

4:42 PM IST Full ball, on the pads. Flicked to fine leg for one.

4:42 PM IST Change. Trent Boult (2-0-18-0) is back on.

4:41 PM IST Back of a length around leg, KL lifts his front leg and glances it down to long leg for one. 29 runs in the last two overs and India have brought the required rate under 7.

4:40 PM IST Short in length and outside off, lack of bounce, Rohit adjusts well and pulls it all along the ground to deep square leg for a run.

4:39 PM IST A yorker around middle, it's squeezed down through mid on for a single.

4:39 PM IST FOUR! Pace on the ball and punished. Short and around middle, angling down, KL Rahul swivels on the back foot and hammer-pulls it behind square leg for a boundary. Lovely placement, bisecting the two fielders in the deep.

4:38 PM IST SIX! KL Rahul has smashed a flat maximum. Reached his fifty off 40 balls. Fuller in length and outside off, Rahul attacks it well and smacks it over extra cover for a biggie.

4:37 PM IST Lands it on a length and close to off, Rahul defends it back from the inside portion of his bat.

4:37 PM IST Drinks! A solid start by the Indian openers and they are well on track to chase down the target. The momentum was slipping away a bit but the last over has turned the tide a bit in India's favour. A couple of big overs will probably seal the deal for the hosts here. New Zealand, on the other hand, need quick wickets and they need wickets in bulk.

4:36 PM IST Shortish and around off, punched from the crease to deep cover for a single. 16 from the over, a much-needed one for India. At the halfway mark, this match is interestingly poised. 75 needed off 60 balls but on this pitch, it's a matter of one wicket. Not easy to play shots here.

4:36 PM IST PUT DOWN! Rohit Sharma survives - life is granted to him by his Mumbai teammate, Trent Boult. Santner delivers it full and around off, Rohit Sharma tries to slog across the line but it takes the top edge and flies behind the bowler. Boult comes running in from long on but fails to catch the ball with a slide. Usually, Trent Boult is known to take fantastic catches and he will be disappointed with this effort. A run is taken.

4:32 PM IST SIX! The Hitman is flexing his muscles! Arm ball from Santner, around off and skidding in, Rohit Sharma clears his front leg and smokes it over mid-wicket for a handsome biggie. The crowd is enjoying it. This is brilliant batting.

4:31 PM IST Short and around off, it's fired in by Santner, Rahul cuts it through point for one.

4:30 PM IST Flatter and around off, Sharma again steps back to create room and then slaps it to sweeper cover for a single. The intentions are clear now from India, they need to up the scoring ante.

4:29 PM IST SIX! The pressure was building and India needed this biggie. Short and around middle, skidding on with the arm of the bowler, Rohit Sharma steps back to make room and rockets it over mid-wicket for a maximum.

4:29 PM IST A long hop from Sodhi, around middle, Rahul pulls it towards wide long on and collects a couple of runs.

4:29 PM IST Not easy to middle the shots. Full and flighted around middle, Rohit dances down the track for a big heave-ho but gets too close to the pitch of the ball. He ends up dragging it off the inner edge to mid-wicket. They cross.

4:27 PM IST The umpires are having a good look at the ball as the seam of the ball seems to have swollen up. Out comes the fourth umpire with a set of new balls.

4:26 PM IST Loopy and on middle, fuller in length, Rahul wrists it in front of square leg for a single.

4:24 PM IST Another full toss that has not been put away, this time by Rohit. He heaves it over mid-wicket and it's stopped on one bounce by the fielder in the deep. A single.

4:23 PM IST Full and around leg, knocked down to long on for a run.

4:22 PM IST Terrific delivery. Nicely tossed up and it lands very full, almost a yorker around off, KL digs it out back towards the bowler.

4:21 PM IST Arm ball, around off and skidding in, Rohit stands back and pushes it towards the bowler. Santner collects the ball and that's the end of a tidy over from him.

4:21 PM IST Darts it in, short and around off, Rahul goes deep inside the crease and forces it to sweeper cover for a single.

4:20 PM IST Floated one, full and sliding down the leg side, Sharma attempts to play the paddle sweep but misses. It brushes his pads and rolls behind square leg. They cross for a leg bye as Mitchell Santner puts in a muted appeal.

4:20 PM IST Quicker through the air, short and flat on middle, Sharma goes on the back foot and plays it down to mid-wicket.

4:19 PM IST Santner delivers it full and around middle, Rohit makes room and strokes it through extra cover for a couple of runs.

4:18 PM IST Fuller and around off, Rahul presses forward and drives it square of the wicket on the off side for a single.

4:18 PM IST Mitchell Santner comes back to bowl. 2 runs came off his first over.

4:17 PM IST A full toss and KL has failed to put it away. He only manages to drag it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

4:16 PM IST Tossed up around off, fuller in length, Sharma drives it with the spin to sweeper cover for one.

4:15 PM IST A touch flat and full, around leg, it's eased down through mid on for a run. 50 up for India! Another solid alliance between Rohit and Rahul, their 5th 50-run stand in a row, informs Murali Kartik on air.

4:14 PM IST Floated and full around off, Sharma leans and knocks it down to long on for one.

4:13 PM IST Flat and short again, on middle, Rahul goes on the back foot again and punches it to long on for a single.

4:13 PM IST Aerial but past the bowler in a flash! Short and around off, KL Rahul rocks back and blazes it back past the bowler, near taking Sodhi's head. The ball scurries to long off and they take two. The replays showed that the ball swerved a bit in the air and hence went away from Sodhi. Lucky escape for Ish. Southee sees the funny side of that incident.

4:11 PM IST Ish Sodhi comes to bowl now.

4:11 PM IST Short of a length, on the pads. Rahul pulls it away. Daryl Mitchell runs to his right from deep square leg, he slides and keeps it to one. That ends the Powerplay and India are 45 without loss. Good start for them.

4:09 PM IST Full ball, outside off. Rahul carves it to covers. There is a fumble but no run is taken.

4:09 PM IST Short ball, down the leg side. The ball goes way over Rahul and it is called a wide.

4:08 PM IST Length ball, on the pads. Sharma works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

4:08 PM IST Yorker, just outside off. Sharma blocks it with ease.

4:07 PM IST Fuller ball, on off. KL Rahul drives it down the ground. The man at mid off dives to his right and gets his hand to it. The ball ricochets towards mid on and they get one.

4:06 PM IST SIX! Slapped! Rahul is looking in great touch out there! Short of a length, angling across off. Rahul backs away to the leg side and creates room. He then slaps it over the cover fence and the ball flies all the way.

4:06 PM IST Trent Boult (1-0-8-0) is back on.

4:05 PM IST Length ball, around off. Pushed past mid on for one.

4:04 PM IST Another appeal by Southee! Length ball, wide outside off. Rahul goes hard at it with his hands but misses. The keeper gathers it and they appeal. But the umpire is unmoved.

4:03 PM IST Short ball, outside off. Sharma pulls it to the right of deep mid-wicket. The fielder runs across and keeps it to one.

4:03 PM IST Length ball, on off. Pushed to covers.

4:02 PM IST Full ball, on the pads. Worked past mid-wicket for one.

4:01 PM IST Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Rahul punches it away. The man at point dives but does not stop it. There is protection in the deep so just a single.

4:04 PM IST Tim Southee returns. 8 runs came off his first over!

4:00 PM IST Back of a length, around off. Rahul stands tall and taps it towards backward point for one.

4:01 PM IST Short of a length, outside off. Cut away to deep point for one.

5:53 PM IST SIX! There she goes! The Rohit Sharma pull shot! Short of a length, wide outside off. He pulls it across the line, keeps it aerially and the ball goes over the square leg fence.

5:53 PM IST Length ball, on the pads. Rahul works it past square leg for one.

5:53 PM IST FOUR! Pumped! Full ball, on the pads. Bread and butter for Rahul as he flicks it aerially to the mid-wicket fence.

5:53 PM IST An attempted slower one, but this goes way outside off. Left alone and called a wide.

3:56 PM IST Fuller ball, on off. Rahul pushes it to mid on.

3:55 PM IST Adam Milne is into the attack.

3:55 PM IST Mitchell Santner finishes well! Tossed up, on leg. There is some extra bounce as Sharma looks to block. It hits the shoulder of the bat and drops dead on the pitch.

3:54 PM IST Darted on the pads. Sharma looks to whip it away but gets hit on the pads. A good over by Santner so far.

3:54 PM IST Pushed quicker through the air, around off. Pushed to the left of the long off fielder for one.

3:54 PM IST Loopy ball, around off. Tapped to covers by Rahul.

3:54 PM IST Rahul backs away to the leg side so Santner follows him. It's pushed to covers by Rahul.

3:54 PM IST Loopy ball, on off. Sharma looks to work it away but gets it off the inner half of the bat to short fine leg for one.

3:52 PM IST Mitchell Santner comes to bowl now.

3:51 PM IST FOUR! KL Rahul started the over with a majestic drive and he ends it in the same fashion! Length ball, just outside off. He leans into it, offers the full face of the bat and drives it past mid off for a boundary. That shot was a treat to the eyes.

3:49 PM IST On a length, angling across the right-hander. Rahul stands tall and pushes it towards point.

3:49 PM IST Rahul chops this length ball to the right of the keeper. He looks for one but is sent back.

3:48 PM IST Fuller ball, on off. Rahul pushes it to cover. The fielder dives and stops the ball.

3:48 PM IST Short of a length, around off. Rahul blocks it out with ease.

3:47 PM IST FOUR! Glorious stroke! Length ball, outside off. Rahul leans into it and drives it perfectly through covers for a boundary.

3:47 PM IST Who will bowl from the other end? Trent Boult it is.

3:46 PM IST Full ball, on off. Rahul punches it straight down the ground. Southee gets his right hand down and gets something on it. The ball goes past him and they get one.

3:45 PM IST Shorter ball, outside off. Rahul rises with the bounce and cuts it to point.

3:44 PM IST On a length, just outside off. Rahul punches it to covers.

3:44 PM IST Length ball, on off. Blocked out.

3:46 PM IST Big appeal by Tim Southee! Full ball, down the leg side. KL Rahul misses the flick. Southee puts in a big appeal for caught behind but the umpire is unmoved. Wide called. UltraEdge shows that it clipped the pads.

3:49 PM IST There seems to be some problem at the keeper's end! There is a dent behind the stumps near the stump mic area. It looks like things are sorted out and we are good to resume.

3:43 PM IST Short of a length, outside off. Rahul chops it past point. He gets a couple of runs.

3:43 PM IST FOUR! Edged and a boundary! Full ball, lands outside off and swings away. Rahul goes for the drive but gets the outside edge. The ball goes past the two slips and runs to the fence.