Dubai: After just two matches, Team India are staring at an unexpected and stunning exit from the T20 World Cup.
A week after suffering a 10-wicket hammering at the hands of Pakistan in their opening game, Virat Kohli’s men put up another pathetic display to go down by 8 wickets in a must-win match against New Zealand here on Sunday night.
Chasing just 111, New Zealand coasted to victory with 5.3 overs to spare as Daryl Mitchell smashed 49 off 35 balls and skipper Kane Williamson remained unbeaten on 33.
Two defeats in as many matches means India will have their task cut out to reach the semifinals. Pakistan, who have won all their three matches so far, and New Zealand are now favourites to make the last-four stage from Group 1.
Even if India win their remaining three games – against Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia – they will have to depend on other results to sneak through. Specifically, New Zealand will have to suffer upset defeats in two of their three games – which looks improbable.
Kohli lost another crucial toss, and India seemed to be psyched out at that very moment itself. The famed batting line-up hardly showed any intent and put up a horror show as India limped to a paltry 110 for 7 in 20 overs.
Ishan Kishan (4 off 8 balls), KL Rahul (18 off 16 balls), Rohit Sharma (14 off 14), Virat Kohli (9 off 17) and Rishabh Pant (12 off 19) never got going against a disciplined Kiwi attack.
Hardik Pandya (23) and Ravindra Jadeja (26 not out) tried to make amends, but it was too little too late.
Trent Boult was the best NZ bowler with figures of 3/20 in 4 overs. Spinners Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi conceded a mere 32 runs in their 8 overs.
Scores: India 110/7 in 20 overs. New Zealand 111/2 in 14.3 overs.
Result: New Zealand won by 8 wickets.
