The National's Sport cover for Wednesday, March 15 issue features a report on New Zealand's 47-run victory over hosts India in their World Twenty20 opener in Nagpur.
India failed to live up to their billing as favourites for the World Twenty20 after succumbing to spin in a 47-run defeat against New Zealand in their opening match in Nagpur.
Match report: 'Batting let us down' moans MS Dhoni as New Zealand leave hosts India in a spin
On a tricky pitch that gripped and turned, the tournament hosts were embarrassed after being bundled out for 79 - their lowest score in the format in India - with nine of their wickets falling to spin and only three of their batsmen making it to double figures.
“It was a tough surface,” said victorious New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. “Any score was going to be tough here but we would have liked to have a few more. We went in with this bowling attack after we had a look at the conditions.”
Captain MS Dhoni tried to rally his team but his knock of 30 was of little use, with Ish Sodhi taking charge and Mitchell Santner determined to complete the unfinished business.
“It was a low scoring wicket,” Dhoni said. “I thought we restricted them to a good total but the batting let us down. The shot selection kept putting pressure on the batsmen coming in.
“They bowled well and exploited the conditions but we lacked adaptability. We could have applied ourselves more.”
You can read the full report here.
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