'Ye T20 tha kya' - Fans overjoyed as India chase down NZ's target in 20.1 overs to win the second ODI at Raipur

Ind vs NZ (Source: Twitter)

After taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, the ‘Men-in-Blue’ once again faced off with the Kiwis in the second ODI in Raipur on Saturday. The match got off to the most bizarre start ever as the Indian captain Rohit Sharma forgot what we wanted to do after winning the toss. He eventually chose to bowl first after contemplating for some seconds.

New Zealand openers Finn Allen and Devon Conway were put to Test against some top-notch bowling by the Indian seam duo of Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami. Shami drew the first blood for India as he cleaned up Fin Allen with a ripper in the first over itself. Siraj at the other end sent Conway back to the pavilion as he edged the ball to the first slip.

Indian seamers led by Shami gave no respite to New Zealand batters as they were left reeling at 15/5 after 10.3 overs. Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell tried to stabilise the innings by forming a partnership. However, their hopes were shattered as Shami got rid of the dangerous Bracewell to leave New Zealand at 56/6.

After Bracewell’s dismissal, Phillips found a new partner in Mitchell Santner as they forged a 47-run stand which helped New Zealand cross the 100-run mark. Hardik Pandya ended the partnership as he dismissed Mitchell Santner leaving New Zealand at 103/7.

Phillips was also dismissed in the next over by Washington Sundar for 36 off 52 balls. The tail couldn’t contribute much as the kiwis got all out for 108 in 34.3 overs. Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers for India who picked up 3/18 in 6 overs while Hardik Pandya and Washington Sundar also picked up two wickets each.

Rohit Sharma’s blazing half-century helped India chase the target quickly

In reply to New Zealand’s total, Indian openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma started their innings cautiously as Rohit saw off the first over. Both batters began finding their feet gradually as they started dealing in boundaries. Rohit became the aggressor in the partnership in no time with the duo adding 52 runs in the first 10 overs.

The Indian captain brought up his fifty in 47 balls and was dismissed shortly afterwards for 51 leaving India 37 runs away from victory.

Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on India's victory. Here are some of the Tweets:

A kid suddenly enters to the ground and Hugged Rohit Sharma. And Rohit asked the security guard, "Let him go, he's is a kid".

Nice gesture from Captain Ro❤️#RohitSharma#INDvsNZ@BCCI@ImRo45pic.twitter.com/McrPp1uGS7

— Karthik KSP (@im_karthikksp) January 21, 2023

Well played #RohitSharma 👏
51(50) < 7 fours, 2 Sixes > #INDvsNZpic.twitter.com/QkhDwXyBMb

— ROHIT Era™ 🇮🇳 (@TheRohitEra) January 21, 2023

#INDvsNZ#IndvsNZ2ndODI#India#NewZealand#BCCI#Raipurpic.twitter.com/XrG3YOI7Kq

— NJineer (@NJineer80) January 21, 2023

Same Old Story ..
Only 30 Runs Needed But Still Kohli Came To Bat 😅

Rohit/Dravid Could Have Given Kishan Or SKY a Chance To Bat Just For Practice But ...#IndvsNZ2ndODI#NZvsIND#INDvsNZ

— 𝙍𝘼𝙃𝙐𝙇 (@iRahulMSDian09) January 21, 2023

India - 72/1

By Losing wicket, Rohit Sharma missed a big Opportunity!

He Would have became 1st ever Indian Captain to win an ODI match by 10 Wickets for Multiple times!#INDvsNZ

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) January 21, 2023

Shami is on 🔥🔥🔥. Bracewell couldn't read that out properly.
Absolute magical spell from #MohammedShami 👏🏼👏🏼#INDvNZ#NZvsIND

— Rajesh↙️ (@iamrajeshjena) January 21, 2023

How good is Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj...🇮🇳🧿🧿🧿#INDvNZ

— Rahul kumar🏏 (@Rahulk_143) January 21, 2023

Aaj ka match T20 thaa kyaa ??😭😉😂😂
What a Winn !! 🇮🇳😎💪#IndvsNZ2ndODI 🤩🥳💃#IndvsNZ#RohitSharma ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BMRTvryeDD

— 🕊️ (@janvvxxx) January 21, 2023

Virat vs Santner intresting battle but sadly both time Santner won the battle in this series🙂🤕#INDvsNZ

— Shivam Maurya (@curiousmaurya) January 21, 2023

New Zealand be like 😩#IndvsNZ2ndODI#INDVSNZODI#indvsnz#india#RohitSharma#Shami#siraj#NZvsIND#pakistanpic.twitter.com/XWsQrPuKVw

— Sachin Dhondge 🇮🇳 (@SachinDhondge70) January 21, 2023

That’s a thumping series win 🏆 #BleedBlue#IndvsNz

— Sagardeep red'D (@sagee_red) January 21, 2023