STATS HIGHLIGHTS
Follow UsWith Pakistan already making it to the Semi-finals, three other contenders of Group B, Afghanistan, New Zealand and to some extent India, were all playing a match. New Zealand in the first game, were sent into bat by Scotland. They were in a spot of bother as they lost three wickets, including their skipper Kane Williamson, for a total score of 52. However, Martin Guptill and Glenn Phillips came together and stitched a 105-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Guptill was the aggressor as he scored 93 runs off 56 balls before his dismissal. Nevertheless, his innings had propelled New Zealand to a score of 172/5. The Scotland batsman put on valiant effort, considering how poor they had been with the bat. A late flourish by Michael Leask who scored 42 runs at a strike rate of 210 was the highlight of their batting. Eventually, they fell short by 16 runs chasing a mammoth total.
In the second match, it was a do-or-die situation for India and once again Virat Kohli lost the toss. But, that didn’t cause any trouble as the Indian openers, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma hoisted a 140-run partnership to set the platform. Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant unbeaten partnership of 63 from 21 balls added more color. Thanks to their cameo, India posted 210/2, the first 200+ total of the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup. Chasing a massive target, Afghanistan were never in the game. But, India conceded a few extra and unwanted runs in the last few overs. Despite it, India won by 66 runs. Here are a few notable stats from Match 32 and 33:
Guptill becomes the first to hit 150 sixes
Renowned as a big hitter, Guptill reached a special milestone and showed why he is a big hitter. In the 13th over of the innings, Guptill struck a monstrous 102 meter six, the second longest of this edition. This was his 150th six in T20Is, the first batsman to achieve this landmark. In this innings, he achieved yet another landmark. When he hit his first six in the sixth over, he became the second batsman after Kohli (3225) in T20Is to score 3000 runs.
A match saving partnership
By the end of the seventh over, New Zealand were in deep trouble after they had lost three wickets for 54 runs. Williamson was packed off for a duck and Devon Conway headed back to the pavilion for a solitary run. Phillips and Guptill rebuilt the innings with Guptill being the aggressor and Phillips the sheet anchor. The duo put on a 105-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Astonishingly, this is the first ever century partnership for New Zealand in a T20 WC.
Guptill falls seven runs short of a century
Failing to score runs in the first two matches, Guptill played a knock to remember for the Kiwis. Even in a dire situation, Guptill didn’t bog down and kept the pressure on the Scotland bowlers. Hence, the opener registered his second 50+ score in a T20 WC. He was on course for his third T20I century but fell short by seven runs. Nevertheless, his score of 93 is the second best for a New Zealand batsman in a T20 WC.
The pinchpenny bowler
A dream run in the first round was shattered in the Super 12 stage for Scotland. But, it has been difficult to pull Mark Watt out of his fantasy world. In the six matches played till now, three in Round one and three in Super 12s, he is yet to concede more than six runs in an innings. His spells in this edition of World Cup read: 1/13 (4) vs NZ, 1/22 (4) vs NAM, 1/23 (4) vs AFG, 1/23 (4) vs OMAN, 1/23 (4) vs PNG & 1/19 (4) vs BAN. He is the first bowler in a T20 World Cup edition to concede less than six runs/over in six or more innings.
Ashwin makes his first T20I appearance after 65 matches
The most experienced bowler for India, Ravichandran Ashwin was sidelined since 2017 in the white-ball format. Prior to today, his last match in Indian colors in the limited overs format was against West Indies in July 2017. Post his last match and till today, India had played 65 T20I matches. This is the joint second most matches missed by an Indian in this format. Umesh Yadav from 2012-2018 also had missed 65 T20Is. Sanju Samson from 2015 till 2020, had missed 73 T20Is, which is the most among Indians.
Rahul-Rohit post the highest partnership
In desperate situations, expectations on primary players are more and today, Rahul and Rohit were up to it. Against a team which has been commendable with the ball – Afghanistan, Rahul and Rohit posted their fourth 100-run partnership in T20Is, third as openers. Further, they added 40 more runs before Rohit was dismissed. The 140-run partnership between Rahul and Rohit is the highest for India in a T20 WC.
ICC events are Rohit’s kingdom
There are few batsmen who just love to perform in ICC events and Rohit is one of the best. In any format, he has scored runs for fun. In the newly introduced ICC Test Championship as well, Rohit has scored close to 1500 runs at an average of 58.5. In ODI WC, he has an even better record. In 17 innings, he has 978 runs at an average of 65.2. All-in-all, across all-formats in the ICC events, Rohit has scored 3682 runs, which is the most for a batsman.
Second 200+ total for India in T20 WC
A stupendous opening partnership between Rahul and Rohit and a late cameo partnership between Hardik and Rishabh propelled India to a mammoth total of 210/2. In T20 WC, only once have India scored more runs and that was against England (218/4) in the inaugural edition in 2007. This was also the first 200+ total of this edition. To add more, this was the second highest T20I score in Abu Dhabi. Ireland in 2013 against Afghanistan had scored 225/7, which is the best at this venue.
Openers on a roll
In a 140-run opening stand, both openers made equal contributions. Rohit Scored 74 off 47 balls and Rahul scored 65 off 42 balls. With both openers registering 50+ scores, this match became only the second instance of both Indian openers scoring 50+ in the same match in T20 WC. The other instance was against England in 2007, the match India posted their highest WC score. Gautam Gambhir (58) and Virender Sehwag (68) were the openers in that match.
