Post India’s thrilling super-over win over New Zealand in the fourth T20I on Friday, the cricket fraternity showered praises on the Men in Blue.
Chasing a target of 14 runs in the Super Over, India got home with ease as Rahul scored 10 off 3 balls and skipper Virat Kohli gave the finishing touch.
Earlier at Sky Stadium in Wellington, an excellent fifty from Manish Pandey powered India to 165 for 8 in 20 overs after being invited to bat. In return, half-centuries from Colin Munro (64 off 47) and Tim Seifert (57 off 39) kept New Zealand well on top of the chase but an anti-climax saw the Kiwis score only 10 runs off the final 12 balls.
Navdeep Saini bowled the penultimate over giving away just 4 runs. Following him, Shardul Thakur conceded just 6 runs in the final over to force a Super Over.
“4-0. Drama. Heartbreak again for New Zealand. India just too composed at the end. How good was that push for 2 from Virat! Could do that because Rahul had set it up,” said cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle.
4-0. Drama. Heartbreak again for New Zealand. India just too composed at the end. How good was that push for 2 from Virat! Could do that because Rahul had set it up.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 31, 2020
“Two excellent results for India. Different players standing up. These pressure situations are the making of players. Rahul, Pandey, Saini, Thakur, all played a role,” he added.
Two excellent results for India. Different players standing up. These pressure situations are the making of players. Rahul, Pandey, Saini, Thakur, all played a role
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 31, 2020
“Quite Incredible to have a #SuperOver in back to back matches. The Indian seamers were simply outstanding in the last 3 overs to defend 18 . Love this quality of fighting till the end from India. Great win,” tweeted cricketer turned commentator VVS Laxman.
Quite Incredible to have a #SuperOver in back to back matches. The Indian seamers were simply outstanding in the last 3 overs to defend 18 . Love this quality of fighting till the end from India. Great win #NZvsInd pic.twitter.com/Eq9lV83xcf
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 31, 2020
“Super Over batting 101: Start it like @klrahul11, go big at the start! End it like @imVkohli, calm, composed and with a proper cricketing shot!” wrote former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif.
Super Over batting 101: Start it like @klrahul11, go big at the start!
End it like @imVkohli, calm, composed and with a proper cricketing shot! #INDvsNZ #KLRahul #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/UDcFUzdAZZ
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 31, 2020
Meanwhile, India head coach Ravi Shastri tweeted: “Can be a real crazy game.”
Can be a real crazy game #INDvsNZ #SuperOver #TeamIndia 🇮🇳🙏 pic.twitter.com/F2LwaCjB5T
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) January 31, 2020