Source ( Indian Express)

Before the start of the match India were in a do or die situation because they had already lost the 1st t20 in a 3 match series. On the back of improved bowling performance especially from Krunal Pandya and good batting performance from the visitors they leveled the series. They were set a target of 159 which was chased down by India with more than an over to spare.

New Zealand had won the toss and Kane Williamson opted to bat first. The team must have expected a similar similar to the 1st t20. The pitch today had a bit more in it for the bolwers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed exploited it very well as the former removed Tim Seifert as early as in the 3rd over. Tim Seifert payed the price for trying to be over-aggressive as he had already taken 10 of 2 balls and going for another aggressive shot.

Kane Williamson looked at comfort in the first few balls he faced. Colin Munro was just starting to settle. In came Krunal Pandya who was star of the match. Colin Munro in order to further up the ante fell to Pandya trying to go aerial where he was caught by Rohit Sharma. Next to go was Daryl Mitchell who was trapped in front by Krunal and was given out on-field. What followed next was the controversial decision that was probably the most talked point of the match. The Hot-spot clearly indicated that there was a mark on the bat as ball passed bat and then it went on to the pads. The Hawk-eye showed it was clearly hitting the stumps and the third umpire upheld the decision.

Clearly both Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson didn't agree with the decision but as there was no evidence to overturn the decision and the former was asked to depart. The New Zealand skipper also got out lbw trying to pull a short ball from Krunal Pandya. It seemed as if the the skipper didn't judge the pace of the ball and it came a bit quicker than he anticipated. Colin de Grandhomme was next to bat where atleast in the New Zealand innings it was the turning point. He took on both the spinners Krunal and Chahal and smashed sixes off them and at one point he was scoring at a strike-rate of almost 300. He was ably supported by Ross Taylor who just rotated the strike to allow de Grandhomme to be the aggressor.

de Grandhomme brought up his half-century soon after a much needed for the team and for himself as well. The partnership was going on nicely until de Grandhomme fell to Hardik Pandya. Ross Taylor after the fall of wicket started to change gears and played some risk-free shots with Mitchell Santner at the other hand. But excellent bowling at the death from Khaleel and Bhuvneshwar minimized the damage. This was also helped by a brilliant run-out by Vijay Shankar who fired in a direct-hit from the deep to catch ROss Taylor short. Khaleel got two wickets at the end as New Zealand could manage only 158.

India were set a target which was not at all difficult considering the batting line-up they had. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan both started positively. The Indian skipper took the onus to be scoring aggressively. Shikhar Dhawan played a second fiddle to him. Rohit Sharma scored at a brisk rate not allowing the changes made by Kane Williamson to be effective. He played some pull shots of both the pacers and the leggie Ish Sodhi. The skipper brought up his half century. Meanwhile he had already surpassed Martin Guptill to become the leading run-scorer in international t20 matches.

But Sharma going for another pull of Sodhi found Tim Southee in the deep. Rishabh Pant was at the crease then. Shikhar Dhawan not playing his usual self fell to a well directed short ball from Lockie Ferguson as the left-hander went for the pull. Vijay Shankar played a brief little cameo scoring 14 of just 8 balls which included a six of a low-full toss and in-order to go for another maximum lost his wicket.

MS Dhoni, the finisher joined Rishabh Pant. One may have observed a slight change in approach from Pant as he didn't play any rash shots and this may be attributed to Dhoni as he was seen taking to Pant even after he had smashed a sixer. Pant played some delightful shots and Dhoni at the other hand collected twos and rotated the strike.

India chased down the target comfortably with Pant staying not-out at 40 and Dhoni at 20*. Krunal Pandya for his match figures of 3 for 28 received Man of the Match.

Now a thrilling decider awaits which is set to be played in Hamilton on 10th of Feb.