IND vs NZ | Twitter reacts to Varun’s fifer subdue Williamson’s grit as India set sighs on OZ for semis

As the two unbeaten sides of Group A squared off against one another, Mitchell Santner’s decision to field first paid dividends. Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson opened the wickets account for the Kiwis, with the former getting rid of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli and the latter outwitting Kyle Jamieson in a 37-run powerplay. Subsequently, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul played the pacers and spinners cautiously with a maiden of Mitchell Santner during the early phase of second powerplay. The right and left-handed duo steered India to 104/3 in 25 overs before switching gears, and Shreyas reached his fifty. Just when the partnership was nearing a century, Axar departed for 42, followed by a few tonks from the Mumbaikar before falling after the second refreshment break. By the 40th over, India had already lost half a dozen before Hardik Pandya’s run-a-ball 45 under Jadeja and the tail’s guidance propelled India to 249/9 in 50 overs.

In reply, Hardik Pandya got the better of Rachin Ravindra in the sixth over before a brief stand between Will Young and Kane Williamson concluded, courtesy of Varun Chakaravarthy’s wrong’un. Under scratchy-looking Daryl Mitchell’s presence, Williamson kept ticking the scoreboard as the pair negated spin for a good time, adding 44 runs together. Subsequently, a 40-run stand followed before Ravindra Jadeja trapped Tom Latham plumb in front, making way for Varun’s couple of wickets followed by Axar outwitting Williamson for 81. At 41 overs, New Zealand was 169/7 when Mitchell Santner tried to take it deep before Varun Chakaravarthy earned his fifer with back-to-back scalps, leading to a 44-run victory.

Unreal!!

What!!!😂

 Wow!!

What a Player!

Fifer!

Superb!

Congrats !

True!

Congrats Team India!

What a Match!

Simply Amazing!

Won!