After a thrilling Super Over win for India in the third T20I at Hamilton, it was a dead rubber contest in Wellington as both the teams locked horns for the fourth time in this series. However, there was no dearth of entertainment as New Zealand yet again failed to cross the line during the fag end of their innings. For the second time in a row, the match was tied resulting in a Super Over finish.
The Indians held their nerve and came up trumps to claim a 4-0 lead in the five-match T20I series in the Super Over. It was a game that ebbed and flowed throughout the entire course of 40 overs before New Zealand allowed the match to slip through their hands. There were many moments that went unnoticed as India emerged victoriously at the Westpac Stadium.
Here’s a look at the 3 things that went Unnoticed during the match:
1. Manish Pandey features in 18th consecutive T20I win for India
Batting first, India were in all sorts of trouble before Manish Pandey played a crucial knock to guide his team to a total of 165 in their 20 overs. It was courtesy of Pandey’s third fifty that India could cross the 160-run mark. It was a total that gave Indian bowlers some hope to defend in their second innings. The bowlers were also helped by the Blackcaps’ careless batting and the lack of experience in the end.
This was also the 18th occasion in a row when India haven’t lost a T20I featuring Manish Pandey. India last lost a T20I featuring Pandey in the Nidahas Trophy 2018 against Sri Lanka. Since then, the ‘Men in Blue’ haven’t lost a single T20I with Manish in the playing XI.
2. Tim Southee bowls another Super Over in a losing cause for New Zealand
Tim Southee has been on the receiving end in this entire series against India. Even in the last T20I, Southee failed to deliver in the Super Over by conceding 20 runs. It hasn’t been a great outing for Southee when it comes to bowling the Super Overs for the BlackCaps in T20Is. In the games prior to the ongoing T20I series, New Zealand have lost thrice when Southee has been given the onus to bowl the difficult over.
And in this series, the veteran has succumbed against a superior batting lineup on two consecutive occasions in his failed attempt to defend his team. It was in 2010against Australia at Christchurch, the last time when Southee was successful in bowling a Super Over for New Zealand. Ever since the 31-year old been on the losing side five times in his career.
3. Team India becomes the first team to win three tied T20Is
Team India has been on a roll ever since their World Cup exit against New Zealand in the Semi-Final. The Virat Kohli-led side haven’t lost any T20I series since then as they continue to exhibit their dominance even in the series against Kiwis. With0 successful outings in two consecutive Super Over finishes this series, India became the first team to win three tied T20Is.
India first featured in a tied T20I against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2007, when they finished on a winning note in a bowl out encounter. It was first of its kind for the Indian team as they beat Pakistan to begin their T20 campaign on a winning note. With a win in Wellington, India claimed yet another historic feat in T20 internationals.
