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Scorer: Chandan Duorah | Commentator: @Vishal1686
12.30am That's it for today, we've had enough. New Zealand fans, I hope you're all sleeping already instead of reading this and maybe look forward to the next game - the last of the series - on 2nd February (no pressure). Indian fans, great start to your weekend, it can only get worse from here. It's goodbye and good luck from Vishal Dikshit and Shashank Kishore...Ciao!
Presentation now:
Kohli: There's something new I've learnt in the last couple of games: when the opposition is playing well, you stay calm till the end and try to come back. We couldn't have asked for more exciting games, we've never played Super Overs before and now we've won two. It shows the character of the team. Initially we thought of opening with Samson and KL in the Super Over, but then KL told me I should bat because of the experience and the options I'll bring. His two strikes were crucial and then you knock the ball into the gap and takes your team over the line. Sanju was fearless at the top of the order, we didn't quite read the pitch that well. He tried to take the momentum away, he should back himself. Saini was impressive with his pace again. We were very proud with the way we went about it.
Southee: It's very tough especially in the positions we put ourselves into. We have them a chance and they took them with both hands. We have a young bowling attack and, it is tough, when you haven't won and you play against a quality opposition in India, give them a sniff and make it tough for yourselves.
Thakur is the Man of the Match: I'm feeling good, we play for such nail-biting finishes, we couldn't have asked for anything more in these two games. After the last game we learnt that we should never lose hope. The wicket on the first ball of the last over was crucial because it made them nervous. Good contribution from me with the bat, I should have carried on and hopefully I'll get more next time
12.12am Kohli celebrates with his right arm punching the air, Samson joins him and they walk off the field to be hugged by Manish Pandey first up, the man who turned the match around for India. How New Zealand have managed to fluff this up again is beyond me and everyone, I guess! 11 to win off 12, seven to win from the last over with Taylor and an in-form Seifert out there and they both manage to get out in the first three balls of the over. India kept missing their direct hits too throughout the innings but Rahul didn't miss in the last over, he ran Seifert out, did the needful on the last ball to collect the throw and took it to the Super Over to then hit a six on the first ball in the chase. India will be thrilled to snatch these wins in the last two matches, not letting NZ win first, and then chasing it down with different batsmen in both games. New Zealand, what do I say...they have lots to think about and discuss about how to fight back, how to go over the line in the last over, and, well, how not to lose Super Overs. We'll get you the presentation once things start making sense again...
Four to get off three, Kohli on strike. Southee surrounded by Taylor and Mitchell. Long on and long off deep, like midwicket, third man and fine leg are in
KL Rahul c Kuggeleijn b Southee
Rahul on strike. The field: deep midwicket, long on, third man, mid off and fine leg in the circle.
Slap your cheeks, stretch your legs, feed your pet, use the loo or fill your glass with your preferred beverage. It's about to begin...
New Zealand are in a huddle, some of them are smiling. And here we have Virat Kohli and KL Rahul
We're still waiting to see which Indian batsmen will come out today. Remember, Rohit was scampering for his abdomen guard the other day because he had packed his kit earlier
Midnight So India need 14 to win this time, for the second Super Over in three days. No Rohit Sharma today. Southee will bowl it today again, he wasn't quite on the mark the other day
TL Seifert c Washington Sundar b Bumrah
9.46pm The Indian players are jumping because they have clawed their way back in, yet again! Oh, New Zealand! Discussions all around, Ravi Shastri walks out to talk to his players. Looks like Guptill won't bat because he doesn't have the pads on. I'm going to lose count of New Zealand and their Super Over heartbreaks. Someone is keeping a count here. Well, Bumrah has the ball, batsmen have walked out: Seifert and Munro
MJ Santner run out 2 (8m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
Santner and Chahal share a laugh over something. Kohli, Bumrah and Thakur are chatting but no jokes there. Three wickets in the over already. Third man and point are deep
LinoY: "Looks likeeey we all set for another superrr overr...but we do not have the services of Master Rohit this time :)"
DJ Mitchell c Dube b Thakur 4 (6m 3b 1x4 0x6) SR: 133.33
Two off two like the last match. Kohli talking to Thakur. Mid off in the circle, long on and fine leg are deep
Three off three. Two new batsmen out there, Santner on strike
Ghaffy: "what a see-saw over from Thakur...My heart is pounding.."
TL Seifert run out 57 (82m 39b 4x4 3x6) SR: 146.15
Seven off five. Daryl Mitchell to face his first ball of the series
LRPL Taylor c Iyer b Thakur 24 (40m 18b 2x4 0x6) SR: 133.33
Seven from six. Remember no Shami today, it's Shardul Thakur. Mid off and fine leg in the circle, long-on is deep
Nishank: "If Shivam Dubey bowls that Pandya-esque over..." Thakur it is
Pakistan's series defeat in England means they have plenty of work to do in the back end of the WTC
And who is the first Test cricketer to climb Mt Everest?
After the 3-0 defeat to South Africa, the late-season series against New Zealand will be another test for Australia's dipping ODI form
At the Christchurch ground ravaged by the 2011 earthquake, only memories remain of what was once the city's sporting hub
India's top order, which has been a long time strength, did not fare well on tough pitches in Wellington and Christchurch
