- “That’s why I congratulated my team on what they achieved in India” – Windies coach Daren Sammy reacts to India’s win in Wellington. West Indies coach Daren Sammy praised his team’s performance in India but questioned the conditions that allowed India to break the record at the Hnry Stadium on Tuesday.
- (Photo Source: Gareth Copley/) India registered a dominant six-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20I at Hnry Stadium on Tuesday, chasing 199 in just 13.2 overs.
- New Zealand had scored 198 for 3 with Daryl Mitchell remaining unbeaten on 89 off 52 balls, but India’s batting performance proved too strong.
“That’s why I congratulated my team on what they achieved in India” – Windies coach Daren Sammy reacts to India’s win in Wellington. West Indies coach Daren Sammy praised his team’s performance in India but questioned the conditions that allowed India to break the record at the Hnry Stadium on Tuesday.
(Photo Source: Gareth Copley/) India registered a dominant six-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20I at Hnry Stadium on Tuesday, chasing 199 in just 13.2 overs. New Zealand had scored 198 for 3 with Daryl Mitchell remaining unbeaten on 89 off 52 balls, but India’s batting performance proved too strong. Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi combined for a devastating opening stand that set the tone for the fightback, with the pair adding 118 runs for no loss in the powerplay.
West Indies coach Daren Sammy reacted to India’s performance with a tweet that mixed praise for his own team’s performances against India and sharp observations on the conditions in New Zealand. Sammy’s reaction highlighted the contrast between India’s home series against the West Indies and the current tour to Wellington. So I congratulate my team on what they have achieved in India.
India are a dangerous team,” the former West Indies ctain wrote. He then added a numbered list of three factors that he identified as winning the competition: “1. Smaller boundaries 2.
Batting paradise pitches 3. Wet ball for the bowlers,” presenting his assessment as more of a statement than a compliment. The pitch dimensions at Wellington were around 60 yards long, shorter than traditional cricket venues.
The venue’s first innings average is 153, but despite this the entire New Zealand batting department managed to score 198. Abhishek Sharma’s individual performance highlighted the batting-friendly nature of the competition. The left-hander hit 113 off just 38 balls and reached a batting speed of 297.
He reached his fifty in 15 balls and completed his hundred in 35 balls, equaling Rohit Sharma’s record as the fastest T20I hundred by an Indian batsman. Abhishek’s innings included nine fours and 11 sixes, dismantling the New Zealand bowling attack. Sooryavanshi contributed 45 from 19 balls in the opening partnership, establishing India’s dominance before the middle order was required.
Naman Dhir hit the winning boundary off Kyle Jamieson, securing the chase with 40 balls remaining. The powerplay tally of 118 was the highest six-for-six tally in men’s T20I history, surpassing Romania’s 116 against Serbia in 2021 and Australia’s 113 for 1 against Scotland. Sammy’s comments took on added weight given the West Indies’ recent home performance against India.
The bilateral series ended 2-2 after Bengaluru were eliminated in the decider on October 17. West Indies had already lost all three bilateral T20I series in India and won just one match in seven competitions. However, the drawn series marked a milestone in ending India’s 12-match winning streak at home.
During that tour of India, the West Indies had scored 250 with nine balls to spare in Ranchi, the second-most successful chase in T20I history, and had scored 247 for 3 in Hyderabad a week later. Shai Hope was named player of the series after scoring two unbeaten hundreds, his second coming off 50 balls. Also Read: Abhishek Sharma surpasses Virat Kohli’s total for most T20 centuries by an Indian cricketer. India’s win in Wellington extended their dominance in the five-match series against New Zealand, making them 3-0 with two games left to play.
