Ind vs NZ 1st T20: Death-overs blitz propels Kiwis to 176-6 in Ranchi

NZ’s Daryl Mitchell en-route his 30-ball 59 v India. Pics/PTI

Left-handed batter Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell produced commanding half-centuries as New Zealand posted a challenging 176 for six against India in the opening T20 International here on Friday. At the time of going to press, India were 33-3 after five overs.

Opener Conway, who had scored 138 in the third ODI in Indore, continued his purple patch with a 35-ball 52 after opening the innings, while Daryl Mitchell smashed a 30-ball unbeaten 59, which included a last-over thrashing of Arshdeep Singh for 27 runs.

Devon Conway

Opting to bowl, Indian bowlers struggled to get their line and length at the start, allowing New Zealand to get off to a good start. Finn Allen (35) looked in good touch as he smashed Hardik Pandya for successive boundaries, while a juicy half volley from Arshdeep was hit straight to the boundary.

Conway also punished the left-arm pacer for a widish ball as New Zealand put up 23 in two overs. Washington Sundar, however, got a lot of purchase from the wicket and soon saw the back of Allen and Mark Chapman (0) in the space of five deliveries to reduce New Zealand to 43 for 2.

Conway, however, kept it going with two fours and a six off Umran Malik, who bled 16 runs in his only over. Kuldeep then struck with a googly as Glenn Phillips went for a slog, only to be holed out by Surya at deep midwicket. Daryl Mitchell then joined Conway and, after surviving two video referrels for a caught behind and an LBW.

Brief scores
NZ 176-6 in 20 overs (D Mitchell 59', D Conway 52; W Sundar 2-22) v India 33-3 in five overs (scores incomplete)