Team India opener Abhishek Sharma took an easy catch as Axar Patel picked up the wicket of Finn Allen, the Kolkata Knight Riders opener, in the fourth T20I between New Zealand and India at Eden Park on Friday. Allen’s dismissal left New Zealand 93 for three after eight overs.
Allen dominated the over until Axar struck with the final delivery. The right-handed batter struck a four and two sixes as the over went for 17, then went for another big hit and found Abhishek inches inside the boundary rope. The wicket ended a stand of 59 with Glenn Phillips that had lifted the hosts to a challenging total from 34 for two.
Reading Allen’s aggressive intent, Axar cleverly adjusted his line for the final delivery of the over. He darted a quicker, flatter ball well outside the off-stump to drag Allen out of his hitting zone.
Desperate to capitalize on the expensive over, Allen rocked back inside his crease to clear extra cover. However, the alteration in pace and length forced a toe-end slice, sending the ball soaring high into the Auckland sky toward deep extra cover.
Abhishek tracked the ball comfortably from the outfield, settling underneath to complete a routine catch near the boundary rope.
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Glenn Phillips leads New Zealand’s charge after being asked to bat first
Shreyas Iyer chose to field after winning the toss, as New Zealand batted first for the fourth time in four matches.
India’s early damage came from Mayank Yadav, who replaced Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the playing XI. Mayank had Tim Seifert caught by Prince Yadav for three in his first over, then trapped Daryl Mitchell LBW for 24 off nine after Mitchell took him for two sixes and as many fours in four balls.
Phillips had 26 off 14 at the end of the powerplay, was unbeaten on 32 when Allen fell, and was still there as New Zealand reached 109 for three after 10 overs.
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Edited by Ankush Das
